Reds Closer to having a Closer-- Hermanson

[jesusfan]

I agree... Hermanson would set our bullpen up the way Eddie did last year for the 3 weeks he was pitching for us... With Hermanson closing, Coffee, Bray, Stanton and Weathers can return to the roles that suit them and I believe our pen will be very good... Here's hoping


Reds closer to having a closer
Healthy Hermanson an appealing option
BY JOHN FAY | JFAY@ENQUIRER.COM

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Reds aren't going to make any announcement, but the feeling in camp is that they've found their closer.

The question about Dustin Hermanson was whether his back was sound. Through three outings, several bullpen sessions and one very tough play at first, his back has been fine.

If Hermanson can be what he was in the 2005 - when he saved 34 games and had a 2.04 ERA with the Chicago White Sox - one of the biggest questions about the Reds will be answered.


"It would be huge for us," Reds manager Jerry Narron said.

Heretofore, the Reds have talked about using a combination of David Weathers and Mike Stanton in the closer role.

"That's still a pretty good combination," Narron said. "Their role just might be different."

Narron talked a bit about what a team wants in a closer Sunday.

"You've got to have talent, you've got to be a guy that has the intangibles and wants to pitch the ninth inning," Narron said.

Hermanson, a 34-year-old right-hander, qualifies on all counts - particularly the "wanting the ball" part. He wants the ball, and he wants to attack hitters.

"All I do is think intensity as a closer," he said. "I like watching guys throughout the game, and I analyze what they've been doing. You've got to be smart out there."

"I think intensity will get you through a lot of situations. That's one of the things you can't teach is intensity," Hermanson said.

Hermanson faced his toughest test Saturday. The Red Sox sent up Kevin Youkilis, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz against him. He got all three on flyouts.

"I'm recovering from this little (cold) that I've got. I know I'm not going to overpower people," he said. "I went nice and easy and let the ball run for me."

That's basically Hermanson's style. He throws a split-finger and a slider.

"Let them see it over the middle; by the time it gets there, it's on their hands," Hermanson said. "That's what happened. Their eyes get big and they jam themselves. I'm still learning how to pitch. You throw that ball down the middle and let it run somewhere, it's amazing."

Hermanson has a wealth of experience. He has started, set up and closed. Hermanson went 14-11 with a 3.13 ERA for Montreal in 1998 and 14-13 with a 4.45 ERA for St. Louis in 2001 as a starter.

His career path has come full circle. He was a closer in the minors and at Kent State. In fact, he never started a game in the minors. But the Expos made him a starter in 1997.

He remained a starter until 2002. His first extended time as a closer came in 2004 for the San Francisco Giants. He saved 17 games that year.

His breakout year was 2005 with the White Sox.

But he always had the closer mentality.

[NatiRedGals]

Originally Posted by jesusfan

I agree... Hermanson would set our bullpen up the way Eddie did last year for the 3 weeks he was pitching for us... With Hermanson closing, Coffee, Bray, Stanton and Weathers can return to the roles that suit them and I believe our pen will be very good... Here's hoping

I agree with you even though most people dont the reason i do is because Hermanson can help us out until Eddie is ready to roll which i think will be sooner then most think but who knows ethier way im pretty happy with the bullpen this year

[Dracodave]

A closer who tops out at 85? Unless thats his two-seamer and he can top out at alteast 91/92...

He's not even a decent set up.

[OesterPoster]

Originally Posted by Dracodave

A closer who tops out at 85? Unless thats his two-seamer and he can top out at alteast 91/92...

He's not even a decent set up.

...and what was Guardado's top speed last year while reeling off save after save?

[BRM]

Originally Posted by OesterPoster

...and what was Guardado's top speed last year while reeling off save after save?

The guy threw a grand total of 14 innings for the Reds and had 8 saves. Let's not get too carried away here. To answer your question though, I can't remember what his velocity was last year but I'm pretty sure he wasn't topping 90.

[coachw513]

Originally Posted by OesterPoster

...and what was Guardado's top speed last year while reeling off save after save?

You beat me to it...

As we saw last year, closing is as much about makeup as it is about stuff...Todd Coffey easily had the best stuff in the pen last year, but was unable to effectively close...

Listening to the Tigers reminded me that Todd Jones is their closer (though Joel Zamaya isn't half bad )

I'm more concerned that Hermanson is healthy and effective than if he can throw 92 MPH...and Guardado totally proved that last year, if only for a time...

[BRM]

Originally Posted by coachw513

I'm more concerned that Hermanson is healthy and effective than if he can throw 92 MPH...and Guardado totally proved that last year, if only for a time...

Eddie actually proved both sides of the argument last year. He had 23 terrible innings for Minnesota and 14 good innings for Cincinnati. Which one was the real Eddie? Both?

[jesusfan]

Imagine if Eddie and Herm is healthy... We'd have Hermanson and Eddie for the 8th and 9th and a deep pen for the 6th and 7th with Coffee, Bray, Stanton, Weathers, Burton (hoping).... What is different this year is we actually have options if injuries occur and I think pitching will be above average in the starter and bullpen department this season...

[Dracodave]

Originally Posted by jesusfan

Imagine if Eddie and Herm is healthy... We'd have Hermanson and Eddie for the 8th and 9th and a deep pen for the 6th and 7th with Coffee, Bray, Stanton, Weathers, Burton (hoping).... What is different this year is we actually have options if injuries occur and I think pitching will be above average in the starter and bullpen department this season...

I say a bullpen of this looks better.

LR-Belisle/Saarloos
LR-Majeskwi

MR-Stanton
MR-Weathers

SU-Coffey/Bray
CL-Burton

Thats a bullpen. Limit the last three's exposure and you have a deadly 1/2 punch at the end of the bullpen as well as the front of the rotation

[Patrick Bateman]

I'd be shocked if Hermanson or Guardado helped at all this year.

[jesusfan]

Not saying it isnt true but when and who said he tops out at 85?? Did you personally clock him? Think about the fact that Hermanson has maybe pitched 2 months in the last year, could he be getting his arm strength back?

[Dracodave]

Originally Posted by jesusfan

Not saying it isnt true but when and who said he tops out at 85?? Did you personally clock him? Think about the fact that Hermanson has maybe pitched 2 months in the last year, could he be getting his arm strength back?

Alot of people on this site have spoken out including TC who's word I do indeed trust.

[reds44]

Originally Posted by jesusfan

Not saying it isnt true but when and who said he tops out at 85?? Did you personally clock him? Think about the fact that Hermanson has maybe pitched 2 months in the last year, could he be getting his arm strength back?

It's only a matter of time before his back problem would flare up anyways.

[Patrick Bateman]

Originally Posted by jesusfan

Not saying it isnt true but when and who said he tops out at 85?? Did you personally clock him? Think about the fact that Hermanson has maybe pitched 2 months in the last year, could he be getting his arm strength back?

Well based on flyer, it seems Hermy is only throwing 85, and he has seen him pitch lots this spring, and flyer has been known to be reliable. It's the best source I have seen regarding Hermanson, so I'm going to assume it's true for the sake of the argument.

Even if Hermanson is "back", he's still not lights out. He had a very lucky year with the Sox to make him elite. If he gets back to top form, he will help for sure, but at this point, the odds don't suggest to count on it.

[Patrick Bateman]

So a handful of spring training innings and mediocre minor league results translates to Burton as closer?

I don't see it. I'd like to carry him, but he should start out in lower leverage situations and see what he can do at the major league level before annointing him closer.