Comments on: Santiago Casilla, not Sergio Romo, is the Giants’ new closer

By: rsktkr25

rsktkr25 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:15:29 +0000

Closing is a head game. No need for a closer. Treat the ninth like any other inning and try to get guys out. Hitters don’t get better or worse in the ninth……they are just the same as in the first. If a pitcher that came in in the sixth is still dealing leave his ass in there. If not, whatever inning he starts throwing softballs, yank him and put in the next freshest arm. The role of the closer is just that…..a role. Just because he doesn’t tuck in his shirt, smells like bourbon, has a pack of smokes hidden somewhere in his uniform and they play Wherever I May Roam by Metallica when he comes into the game doesn’t mean the hitters are scared and can’t hit a 600 ft. homer off of him. The theatrical “closer” role is played out.

By: simon94022

simon94022 — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:01:55 +0000

Smart move, Casilla is undervalued and has experience with the closer role, which is overvalued.

By: jrd8523

jrd8523 — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:15:56 +0000

Sergio Romo is one of the most slider dependant relievers in baseball. They dont want the little guy pitching back to backs in games where he is not expected to be pulled till its over. He puts enough more stress on his elbow already. So they went with the guy dependant on the fastball. Probably be that way until Romos change up is as consistant as his other offerings.

By: SOBEIT

SOBEIT — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:06:24 +0000

I am more confident in our closer by committee than last years catcher by committee. Still possible to trade in a couple months for another arm to back up the 7/8th innings or to call up Hembree. I doubt we get a new closer in a trade but just a solid arm to compliment the current committee closers…meaning we don’t trade with Astros closer.

By: Francisco (FC)

Francisco (FC) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:00:20 +0000

So what you’re saying is Bochy is saving his best reliever for important situations?

By: jarathen

jarathen — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:57:44 +0000

Every time someone is announced as closer, the Dark Lord grows stronger. Managers – please stop managing to an arbitrary statistic. Just this one. For now.

By: clarenceoveur

clarenceoveur — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:43:02 +0000

I think teams starting to put their Not Best Reliever at closer with some frequency now, White Sox (Reed), royals (Holland or Crow), Rays (anyone but Rodney) and now Giants……well, Dusty Baker put his best reliever at closer, so maybe not everyone. Its a start I guess. In some world, you’d like to see Romo et. al. used in the highest leveraged spot,but gotta figure once Casilla gets his Scarlet C, Romo will be banned from the 9th inning.