And The Closer Is......

[love_that_reefer]

Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said Brandon Lyon will enter the spring as his team's closer, with Tony Pena in a setup role.
We don't see the point of making Lyon the closer unless it comes with getting him signed to a long-term deal. Otherwise, he'll likely just rack up the saves and leave for better money as a free agent at season's end. It really shouldn't make much of a difference on the field. Pena is the one with "closer-type stuff," but Lyon is plenty effective when he's on and has a little experience in the role. NL-only leaguers should still draft both or neither.

I was about to get extremely pissed until I read it again and saw he isonly starting the spring as their closer. I think Pena will eventually get the nod but it may take a month or two.

[realmofotalk]

Why were you as a Giants fan about to be "extremely pissed" that Lyon could be the closer? You think that highly of Lyon?

[love_that_reefer]

I am a fan of baseball. When people do stupid things in the game I love, I get pissed.

[realmofotalk]

I could care less who they choose, but I can't buy that it'd be stupid to let Lyon close. Lyon comes without bells or whistles, but he proved he can be effective in the 9th inning.

[love_that_reefer]

It's stupid to declare him closer when he hasn't thrown a pitch yet. Lyon has never shown to be a good closer and Pena has better stuff.

[Kingdom]

Declaring him the closer makes the other guys work to replace him. Motivation. It works.

[love_that_reefer]

If you want motivation, leave it open. People will work twice as hard to become the one and only closer.

[riverdunesrat]

l still can't believe that the got rid of Valverde......fools.

[realmofotalk]

l still can't believe that the got rid of Valverde......fools.

Agreed. Showboating aside, Valverde was their best closer since Matt Mantei (remember him?).

[love_that_reefer]

Of course we do. He signed a minor league deal with the Tigers

[realmofotalk]

I forgot to mention this earlier but I have reason to believe that the GM, Josh Byrnes, is a Brandon Lyon fan from their days in Boston.

[love_that_reefer]

Lyon's getting his shit knocked around this spring. 12 runs in 6 2/3 innings is not good. This is why you wait.

[realmofotalk]

They can try to lure Matt Mantei out of retirement.

[love_that_reefer]

I'm sure Byung Hyun Kim is available.

[realmofotalk]

Gregg Olson has a lot of free time nowadays.