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Jonathan Broxton....I :heart: this guy. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter eoMMan
- Start date
Oh Yes!
Footballguy
heath bell is good
MAC_32
Footballguy
His declines in velocity last year concern me a bit, I love pre 08 Bell though.
Broxton and Bell are both good examples of show me first.
Closer is such a difficult skill set, simply some guys have it some guys don't. Eckersley went from a middling starter to one of the best closers in the game. It's not all about stuff, it's about mentality, ability to put a loss behind you, and the ability to make the final out.
There have been tons and tons of great setup guys that looked like they would be the next big thing and simply petered out when given the chance to close. Octavio Dotel is a great example. Some guys have been able to make the transition from 8th inning guys to closer.
I'd probably rather take a chance on Bell than Broxton at this point for two reasons. First, he is more experienced, and has had the chance to learn from watching a potential hall of fame closer in Hoffman. And while his fastball is not overwhelming, there are plenty of closers who don't throw high 90's and get people out regularly. The other reason is Broxton is going way too early in the drafts I've seen because tons of people love the fastball. I want my closers to have been battle tested first.
That's just me, of course. Not to say either of these guys will not have fine seasons, but I'm not going to reach for either one.
Closer is such a difficult skill set, simply some guys have it some guys don't. Eckersley went from a middling starter to one of the best closers in the game. It's not all about stuff, it's about mentality, ability to put a loss behind you, and the ability to make the final out.
There have been tons and tons of great setup guys that looked like they would be the next big thing and simply petered out when given the chance to close. Octavio Dotel is a great example. Some guys have been able to make the transition from 8th inning guys to closer.
I'd probably rather take a chance on Bell than Broxton at this point for two reasons. First, he is more experienced, and has had the chance to learn from watching a potential hall of fame closer in Hoffman. And while his fastball is not overwhelming, there are plenty of closers who don't throw high 90's and get people out regularly. The other reason is Broxton is going way too early in the drafts I've seen because tons of people love the fastball. I want my closers to have been battle tested first.
That's just me, of course. Not to say either of these guys will not have fine seasons, but I'm not going to reach for either one.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
As a Dodger fan, I hope you're right. But to this point, I am not sure he's got the mentality to be a closer. His stuff is tremendous and when he isn't trying to just throw it by guys, he's very tough. However, he hasn't been great in his previous stints as the closer when Saito was out.
Your Mother
Footballguy
FAT.
Eephus
Footballguy
Broxton has a half season of successful closing under his belt. He was very effective in the role after Saito went down last year. Bell has been a setup man through his professional career. He shared closer responsibilities with Jose Parra for a year in AAA but other than that, he hasn't closed regularly since the Florida State League. I think the closer's mentality aspect is generally overrated although it's true that some guys have failed to make the transition. I don't think sitting in the bullpen with a future Hall of Famer is much of an indicator of future success.guru_007 said:
Oh Yes!
Footballguy
you know who didnt have a horrible game to destroy their ratios? the elite closers.
