Let's dig into the latest from SI's Jon Heyman…
- The scenario of the Twins signing a free agent starter like Jarrod Washburn and moving Francisco Liriano into the closer role is "said to be floating around Ft. Myers," possibly depending on whether Joe Nathan's contract is insured. I'd be surprised by that approach, though; I think Liriano is primed for a big year as a starter.
- After talking to Dodgers manager Joe Torre, Heyman isn't sure he'll stop managing after the 2011 season.
- Heyman writes that there has been "at least some progress" between the Red Sox and Josh Beckett on an extension.
Liriano doesn’t have the mental makeup to handle the closer role. Rauch is prolly the man.
I agree and disagree. Liriano had a great winter league and has been good so far this Spring so he definetly deserves a shot in the rotation. They have to give him a chance. But I think the Twins should try to acquire Heath Bell or C.J. Wilson. They wouldn’t be required to pay either that much as well.
It looks like Texas is going to be trying out Wilson as a starter this year. I wouldn’t bank on him being the answer to their problems. I’d have a chat with Smoltz, Noah Lowry, or even Pedro to see if one of them might be interested. Or, Eric Gagne’s still on the search…
CJ Wilson Starter Report: link to star-telegram.com
Eric Gagne is a Dodger.
I’d be surprised by that approach, though; I think Liriano is primed for a big year as a starter.
Heyman is thinking again, that is always a problem.
That was Tim’s personal opinion. I agree with him, Liriano should be a starter this year.
I don’t like that idea at all. I don’t want Washburn on this team no matter what. Not one bit.
Also, like jhawk said, Liriano doesn’t have the mentality to do it. We saw how weak mentally he was last year when things didn’t go his way. We cannot have that for a closer. Plus, I really want to see if he can pull it together as a starter.
They should either stick with what they have or maybe try a trade for bell anybody worse then it’s not worth it
There is no way the Royals are trading Joakim Soria. Heath Bell is a posibility.
Doubtful that the Twins want to send the top prospects it would take to land Soria within the division. Plus, they’d be faced with the issue of having Nathan at $11.25MM for the 2011 season, with Soria there as well. They’ll look for a one-year stopgap, if anything.
By saying that is floating around Ft. Myers do they mean Red Sox camp hoping the Twins do it to weaken themselves?? Because that makes no sense for the Twins. Liriano is about the last person on the staff now that I would want to see in the ninth inning unless he looks like 2006 again at which point he should be able to at least match what Washburn would bring as a fifth starter. He walked to many people last year to be trusted.
If they are going to use the insurance money to bring someone in, bring in Smoltz if he’s willing to close, or look into a Jason Frasor or someone for more of a 7th-8th inning spot to lessen the move of Rauch or Guerrier to the closer role.
To be honest, if Neshek is healthy and they simply move one of Guerrier or Rauch to the ninth the damage to the bullpen will not be as bad as some predict because one of those two will close, the other and Mijares will handle the 8th, Crain, Neshek, and Condrey to get through the 6th and 7th, that is not as great of a bullpen with Nathan at the back end, but it is still at worst, league average in my opinion (which probably doesn’t count for much).
Never quite understood the approach of taking 150-200 quality innings, and trading them for 50-60 ninth innings.
I think the idea is that many folks are not seeing the idea of the additional innings pitched by Liriano as ‘quality’. I am inclined to agree that giving Liriano the closer role sets him up for success and a longer career with the Twins than pushing him back to the starter role, where he will run out of gas much quicker. Particularly when there are so many other quality options for that 5th starter.
He’s still young, so his career as a starter might not be toast yet.
I’m with you. I don’t like that either. I think what they’re basing it on is the fact that Liriano was usually good for at least an inning or two last year and then he’d implode. It wasn’t always the first inning though, which would be a problem if it happens again and he’s a closer.
I would love to see Joe Torre give it another shot at Managing the Braves if he is up to it. I imagine they would rather go with some young buck… but at least with Joe you would have another experienced manager to mold another young contending team.
If you were the Twins, would you consider giving John Smoltz a call to have him go back to a temporary closing position?
No. I’d be much more inclined to promote Liriano to that role. I don’t buy the ‘can’t hack it’ argument. A starter faces just as much pressure as a closer. He has nasty stuff and can let it all hang out for an inning at a time, rather than try figure out how to conserve it (which was the more likely cause of his struggles last year, not some mealy-head attitude problem).
I can see where you are coming from by moving him into that position… However, I preferably would rather see Liriano take a shot at becoming a starter. I still think that he could potentially be a 6 inning stud at each game with his material, and not an inning eater like someone like Roy Halladay or something.. but most teams have 7,8,9th inning specialists anyhow so it kind of fits the eras playing style anyway.
I would say no because he’s not experienced in the AL or not good in it. He was terrible with Boston. I fear that would happen again.
I would not be surprised if he was given the opportunity that he would be a good closer again… Smoltz is one of the fiercest competitors this game has ever seen… gives umpires that stink eye and calls them a buncha blind youngins’ whenever they miss a strike call =P
I have no doubt in his mentality and the competitiveness, but I doubt his ability in the AL. I love Smoltz, I just don’t think he could do it.
I’d take my chances on in-house guys.
Smoltz still has the stuff. He struggled in the AL as a starter, because he had to be able to execute 80 or 100 times per outing. I suspect he’d thrive as a closer almost anywhere. Whether or not it makes sense for the Twins I would think comes down to his asking price.
I agree with Heyman…for once. Torre won’t give up managing any time soon.