Weathers-Clear Cut Closer?

[BuckeyeRedleg]

He could not be worse or have worse stuff than the last two years of Danny Graves in Cincinnati. But, of course, that's not saying much.

[top6]

Originally Posted by jredmo2

And then Williams.. christ Williams

Oddly, this captures my though process on the Reds' starting rotation perfectly.

[SirFelixCat]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

No matter how you spin it, David Weathers is a +4 career ERA pitcher. Last year he posted a pretty good statline, holding batters to a .669 OPSA and keeping his hits and walks under control.

He's a very good middle relief pitcher, but he's not prototypical "closer" material at all -- definately not the kind of guy that's going to post that 2-something ERA and strike out the side in the 9th. Unfortuantely, he's really the best of what's around.

Basically, don't get too excited: It's great to see him throw 2 good saves, but he'll regress back to his career norms and give up hits and runs as the season wears on. But, if the Reds want to develop something resembling a good bullpen, they need to find someone who misses bats to deal in the 9th, and let Weathers do what he's most suited to: protecting leads in the 7th and 8th.

While I do not disagree with you, he is now 17 of 21 in save opp's. I do not disagree that we move him at the break, unless we are knee deep in a real race (hey, let me dream), but I think he has been solid the last season + 2 games

[RedLegSuperStar]

Originally Posted by wheels

Shine him up and ship him out.

My words exactly.. don't let him blow 8 run leads in the ninth al la D Graves.. Make sure you get something in return for him.

[flyer85]

At this point he is the best option. Honestly he can do a good of a job as Graves ever did(~80%).

[NatiRedGals]

Ya I argee shine him up ship him out maybe get a close in return double trade him and rich??

[KearnsyEars]

Originally Posted by harangatang

Even though Weathers doesn't throw hard it seems like he can get the job. I really don't see why he couldn't save ballgames all year barring an injury.

I have him as my closer all year on MLB 2006 the show, after Wagner blew his only attempt to start the season, Weathers has went 23 for 23 in save attempts!!!!!!! He doesn't get many K's but he just gets the outs!

STORMY WEATHERS BABY!

[Heath]

Take three pitches out of Thursday's game and the Pirates get shut out.

White did well except for that one pitch - but he's not the answer.

[NatiRedGals]

Thanks Heath your right one pitch is all it takes and guys are gonna do it its nice seeing someone back the team rather then nail the guy on a one pitch prolem!

[IslandRed]

Truth is, Weathers will probably be about as good as what most teams will run out there. The closer era is in a lull. There just aren't very many really good ones.

And if we did have one of the really good ones, I'd subscribe to the "stopper" rather than "closer" school of bullpen usage, but that's another thread.

[Red Rover]

Weathers can't pitch three days in a row if I remeber right from last year. I think Weathers should be our closer, but watch out on his third consecutive night. In an close game tonight I'd go with someone else.

[BoCcc2832]

Originally Posted by WVPacman

I don't like White!! He played on my dads pirates last few years and stunk it up.Hes starting to do the same thing here.

My response to that is that White threw 30 pitches yesterday. Through the first inning he pitched, he was LIGHTS OUT. He threw 11 pitches in the first inning and was completely in control. However, in the second inning he pitched, he tired quickly (which he has been known to do, plus the fact he's in his late 30's) and gave up the home run which fell about 13 rows below where I was sitting. If we can use him in single inning outings, I think he will do well. Plus, I think he has more incentive because he's so close to his hometown (and mine in Springfield, Ohio...in fact, he's building a house about a half mile away from where my mom lives). Give him some time and one-inning stretches. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Go Reds!

[shredda2000]

Do you think there is any chance we will see Balfour in as closer sometime this year?

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by SC Reds Fans

While I do not disagree with you, he is now 17 of 21 in save opp's. I do not disagree that we move him at the break, unless we are knee deep in a real race (hey, let me dream), but I think he has been solid the last season + 2 games

He's doing a fine job -- in the end, as long as he continues to make outs and keep his strikeout totals above around a 7 k/9, he should be alright as closer.

However, the more he (along with any other pitcher on this staff) has to rely on putting the ball in play and having the defense make outs behind him, the more likely it is there will be more and more blow ups in the future.

And, for what it's worth, I disagree about shipping him out unless you get some decent return. He's 36, durable, and probably has at least another year or so of good baseball left in him. On a team with no bullpen whatsoever, that's not a commodity to be tossed away for more stickless wonders that are out of options or velocity challenged hurlers with no out pitch.