Lerew going for the closer's job

[General]

Lerew says he wants to close.

"Lerew was the star of the day," Cox said after seeing the right-hander dominate hitters in batting practice. "Hopefully he can have those kind of days [consecutively], because he was as right on as you can possibly get."

Lerew, 23, decided before spring training that he wanted to compete for the closer job, after the Braves lost Kyle Farnsworth to free agency and failed to land an accomplished replacement.

"Hopefully I opened some eyes today," he said.

"I want them to remember what I can do. I'd like to be the closer. That's something I can do and have fun with."

He has a 93-to-97 mph fastball and sharp slider, and he's developing a split-finger pitch that could be special. He began throwing it last fall, and Lerew got valuable tips from new pitching coach Roger McDowell two weeks ago in Atlanta.

Good for him, I'd love to see Anthony close games for us next year. Better him than Reitsma.

[Dry1313]

God I want to see this I'm picking him up in my fantasy league as we speak, and dropping Damaso.

[RZ]

Sweet, this is good news. I've hear nothing but good things about this kid, lets hope he is up to the big league challenge!

[Dry1313]

i hate chris reitsma so this is good news to me

[ATLien]

Why do you hate Reitsma? He's pretty solid.

[General]

Because someone else picked him in fantasy.

I love Reitsma...as a set up guy. He has that whole "LaTroy Hawkins Syndrome" thing when he closes.

[Dry1313]

To be honest, I hate him because of his name. When he was on the Reds i heard Reet-sma, Re-it-sma, Re-tis-ma, Rite-sma, there were too many to count so I just got mad and disliked him.

[RZ]

I like him as a setup man, but not as a closer...

[love_that_reefer]

Is Joey Devine still up for it?

[RZ]

Is Joey Devine still up for it?

I read something a few weeks back that Cox was quoted as saying that Devine will be used as middle relief. Anything could happen during spring training tho...

[General]

I'd let Devine start the year closing at Richmond, so he can get used to pitching to solid hitters in pressure situations. My pen would be:

CP: Reitsma/James/Boyer/Villareal, whoever wins this.
SU: The second loser above
MR: The third loser above
MR: McBride
MR: Cormier
MR: The 4th loser above

6th SP: Chuck James

[RZ]

You think Chuck James will/might start? Im not sure he is ready for that..

[General]

I think he can be a good spot starter.

[General]

Rotoworld had something on this, basically the same thing:

Anthony Lerew, who hopes to be considered for closing duties, has impressed manager Bobby Cox with his early work.
Others catching Cox's eye included journeyman Chad Paronto and prospect Jose Ascanio. "Lerew was the star of the day," Cox said after seeing the right-hander dominate hitters in batting practice. "Hopefully he can have those kind of days [consecutively], because he was as right on as you can possibly get." Lerew's new splitter should help in his attempt to win a bullpen spot. He's probably not going to be considered for the closer's role right away.