***Official I'd like to String Up Borowski By His Gonads Thread (1 Viewer)

[cobalt_27]

I purposefully, deliberately, volitionally selected him with the 162nd pick in my draft. I need to expect that this is what he does.

But, still...

 

[Tony Danza]

I've been holding on to Betancourt, assuming he'd take over. He's not doing much better than Boro.

 

[Knightro]

I've been holding on to Betancourt, assuming he'd take over. He's not doing much better than Boro.

You might want to invest in Jensen Lewis while you're at it. Betancourt has had save chances in the past and has not done well.Given how valuable he has been in the setup capacity, Wedge could give Lewis the chance. Lewis certainly has the numbers to justify the chance if not the experience of closing out games at times while at Vanderbilt

 

[shadyridr]

What makes anyone think they'll remove Borowski from the closer role. He was dreadful last year and still kept the job all year. Then they kept him as their closer this year.

 

[Eephus]

I think Cleveland and Milwaukee have two of the murkiest bullpen situations if the incumbents fail to perform.

The Indians have Betancourt, Lewis, Perez and Kobayashi or a committee of several. Wedge could also continue with Borowski in that role as he did last year. The Brewers have Turnbow, Mota, Torres and Riske, who have all closed at some point in their career. The Marlins and Rays could go several ways as well, but don't seem to have as many alternatives as Cleveland and Milwaukee.

Depending on the number of bench slots in your league, it may be difficult to impossible to chase saves with these teams..

 

[tick dog]

add to this, the shields/speier debate in LAA if k-rod hits the DL.

 

[MAC_32]

It'll take a lot more than one blown save for Joe Bo to lose his job. His skills are below average for a closer, but he gets the job done more often than not while the Rafey's get the more difficult outs in the 7th and 8th. Word around these parts have Kobayashi with a head up on Lewis if a change were to be made, but it will take another handful more of blown saves for any move to be made.

 

[Eephus]

It'll take a lot more than one blown save for Joe Bo to lose his job. His skills are below average for a closer, but he gets the job done more often than not while the Rafey's get the more difficult outs in the 7th and 8th. Word around these parts have Kobayashi with a head up on Lewis if a change were to be made, but it will take another handful more of blown saves for any move to be made.

Wedge stuck w/ Borowski last year in spite of an ERA over 5 and a 1.45 WHIP.

 

[greedygoat]

It'll take a lot more than one blown save for Joe Bo to lose his job. His skills are below average for a closer, but he gets the job done more often than not while the Rafey's get the more difficult outs in the 7th and 8th. Word around these parts have Kobayashi with a head up on Lewis if a change were to be made, but it will take another handful more of blown saves for any move to be made.

Wedge stuck w/ Borowski last year in spite of an ERA over 5 and a 1.45 WHIP.

Last year the Wedge didn't have master Kobayashi waiting in the wings.

 

[boom king]

It'll take a lot more than one blown save for Joe Bo to lose his job. His skills are below average for a closer, but he gets the job done more often than not while the Rafey's get the more difficult outs in the 7th and 8th. Word around these parts have Kobayashi with a head up on Lewis if a change were to be made, but it will take another handful more of blown saves for any move to be made.

Wedge stuck w/ Borowski last year in spite of an ERA over 5 and a 1.45 WHIP.

Last year the Wedge didn't have master Kobayashi waiting in the wings.

i thought it was hot dogs?

 

[Bobcat10]

It'll take a lot more than one blown save for Joe Bo to lose his job. His skills are below average for a closer, but he gets the job done more often than not while the Rafey's get the more difficult outs in the 7th and 8th. Word around these parts have Kobayashi with a head up on Lewis if a change were to be made, but it will take another handful more of blown saves for any move to be made.

Wedge stuck w/ Borowski last year in spite of an ERA over 5 and a 1.45 WHIP.

I'm pretty sure his save situation numbers were much better than that. Not to mention he saved at an 85% clip. That's gotta be near the top although I'm not sure.Don't mistaken me as a big fan of The Closer, just pointing out some facts.

 

[Tony Danza]

I think Cleveland and Milwaukee have two of the murkiest bullpen situations if the incumbents fail to perform.The Indians have Betancourt, Lewis, Perez and Kobayashi or a committee of several. Wedge could also continue with Borowski in that role as he did last year. The Brewers have Turnbow, Mota, Torres and Riske, who have all closed at some point in their career. The Marlins and Rays could go several ways as well, but don't seem to have as many alternatives as Cleveland and Milwaukee. Depending on the number of bench slots in your league, it may be difficult to impossible to chase saves with these teams..

Yost has been using Turnbow in non-pressure situations, so I think he's out of the Brewer derby. The way he's thrown, I'd give the edge to Riske.Linebrink looks like he's distancing himself from Dotel in the White Sox pen.

 

[MAC_32]

Linebrink looks like he's distancing himself from Dotel in the White Sox pen.

I don't know, he yields a lot of HR's, especially in that park I don't see Ozzie putting him in a closing situation.

 

[Tom Servo]

I purposefully, deliberately, volitionally selected him with the 162nd pick in my draft. I need to expect that this is what he does.But, still...

Yeah, but trying being a fan of the team and have to endure this on a regular basis. You could have avoided him; I can't.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Someone give me one good reason not to waive Borowski from my team immediately.

 

[428143]

Joe Blow is OUR CLOSER!

 

[wadegarrett]

IN

 

[MAC_32]

You know, if Cleveland isn't inexlicably playing "no doubles" defense on Ortiz with two out in the bottom of the 9th this game would have gone extra's. That was a lazy pop out to left to a defense playing standard.

 

[pantagrapher]

Tribe closer says he 'had nothing'

Posted by Paul Hoynes April 15, 2008 00:38AM

Joe Borowski doesn't know what's wrong. One day he feels like he can throw the ball through a brick wall.

"The next day, I feel like I'm throwing through water," said Borowski.

Monday night, Borowski should have come to the mound in the ninth inning at Progressive Field wearing scuba gear. Boston, quick to recognize a theme, dunked the Indians closer, turning his 4-3 lead into a 6-4 defeat as Manny Ramirez hit a two-run, two-out homer into the left-field bleachers.

Borowski met with Tribe manager Eric Wedge, General Manager Mark Shapiro and the team's medical staff after the game to discuss the condition of his right arm and shoulder.

"I hope we can pinpoint something," said Borowski. "Right now, it's driving me crazy. I'm grasping at straws. Maybe it's something. Maybe it's nothing."

He could undergo tests today.

LINK

 

[Bobcat10]

You know, if Cleveland isn't inexlicably playing "no doubles" defense on Ortiz with two out in the bottom of the 9th this game would have gone extra's. That was a lazy pop out to left to a defense playing standard.

This is a good point....although most decent defensive outfielders would have put that away still. Not only do the bats of Dellucci and Michaels have holes, they are less than decent in the outfield. We're debating what's gonna happen to Borowski, but another issue is what is going to happen in LF and with the bench. It won't be like this much longer.

 

[=Smackdown=]

Place your bets . . . .

Kobayashi

Betancourt

Julio

Lewis

Perez

Dude walking past the stadium

 

[wadegarrett]

Place your bets . . . .

Kobayashi

Betancourt

Julio

Lewis

Perez

Dude walking past the stadium

Any of these three.

 

[Tony Danza]

Place your bets . . . .KobayashiBetancourtJulioLewisPerezDude walking past the stadium

Betancourt will get the opportunity, but I think Lewis would perform better in the role.

 

[=Smackdown=]

Place your bets . . . .

Kobayashi

Betancourt

Julio

Lewis

Perez

Dude walking past the stadium

Any of these three.

hhhhmmmWasn't Kobayashi brought here for this reason?

Betancourt is their best RP but has struggled in the past closing

Julio is Julio but has experience

Lewis is young but closed in college

Perez is a lefty.

Dude off the street might make the most sense.

I'm desperate for saves in one league but this whole situation is ugly and impossible to predict.

 

[MAC_32]

I think it'll be Betancourt or the Hot Dog eater. Julio was HORRIBLE closing in Florida last year, he's just not any good. Rafey Left is a situational pitcher only. Jensen is an ok bullpen arm, but as a closer he'd be no better than a healthy Joe Bo.

 

[Bobcat10]

If it was not April 15th, I'd say Masa. I don't think they throw him in just yet though. I'm gonna say Betancourt with Masa taking over the set up role with Perez, mixed in with some Lewis.

They'll call up Jeff Stevens and work him in, with Stevens as a very good possibility to close at some point this year or next.

 

[=Smackdown=]

I read somewhere that Borowski is a fantays nut and plays in 10 baseball leagues - I wonder who he backed himself up with?

 

[Tony Danza]

If it was not April 15th, I'd say Masa. I don't think they throw him in just yet though. I'm gonna say Betancourt with Masa taking over the set up role with Perez, mixed in with some Lewis. They'll call up Jeff Stevens and work him in, with Stevens as a very good possibility to close at some point this year or next.

On first read, I thought you were talking about Jose Mesa.

 

[Bobcat10]

Full Jeff Stevens Report

Scaled down a bit:

History: Stevens has the distinction of being the infamous player to be named later the Indians received when they traded Brandon Phillips to the Cincinnati Reds on April 7, 2006.

Strengths & Opportunities: Stevens had a breakthrough season last year, and if not for Jensen Lewis and Aaron Laffey would have been the pitcher in the system to make the biggest stride by season's end.

Last year, Stevens went through spring training expecting to be a starter, but when camp broke he was shipped to Kinston and put in the bullpen. The move to the bullpen saw him take off, and the Indians are excited about his progress and his future in the bullpen. Stevens saw an increase in velocity when he moved to the bullpen and his fastball is very reminiscent of Rafael Betancourt's where it is consistently 92-93 MPH and occasionally will hit 95 MPH, but it gets in on batters quickly. His phenomenal strikeout rate of 11.05 strikeouts per nine innings combined with a solid 2.70 walks per nine inning rate is what has people excited about him.

He has four quality pitches and commands them well. He is a great competitor and goes right after guys, and he also throws strikes. He has the stuff and makeup to be a backend reliever.

The Indians sent Stevens to the Arizona Fall League (AFL) this offseason to continue his growth, but his time there was limited as he was selected to be part of the pitching staff for Team USA in the World Championships in Taiwan. In 12 combined appearances in the AFL and with Team USA, Stevens racked up 3 saves and did not allow a run in 12 innings pitched while allowing 5 hits, 1 walk and striking out 11. When the dust settled on his 2007 season, in 61 combined games between Kinston, Akron, the AFL and with Team USA, Stevens went 6-3 with 5 saves and a 2.45 ERA, and in 95.3 innings pitched allowed only 63 hits and walked 26 while striking out 113.

Outlook: Stevens is someone who is coming onto the scene and could move quickly to Cleveland sometime in 2008 if he continues to produce and pitch well. His performance in the AFL and for Team USA was the capper on what was a breakthrough season for him, and if he pitches well early in the season he could make a bid for a callup to Cleveland by mid-season like Jensen Lewis did last year if a need arises. He should start the season in the Buffalo bullpen.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Where's Rick Vaughn when you need him?

 

[MAC_32]

Where's Rick Vaughn when you need him?

California Penal League.

 

[Angry Beavers]

Place your bets . . . .

Kobayashi

Betancourt

Julio

Lewis

Perez

Dude walking past the stadium

Any of these three.

hhhhmmmWasn't Kobayashi brought here for this reason?

Betancourt is their best RP but has struggled in the past closing

Julio is Julio but has experience

Lewis is young but closed in college

Perez is a lefty.

Dude off the street might make the most sense.

I'm desperate for saves in one league but this whole situation is ugly and impossible to predict.

I am walking over to Progressive Field at lunchtime and applying for the job. I saw JOEBLOW in person last night and it wasn't pretty. I am already stretched out enough to last an inning or two having pitched plenty already for my kids' coaches pitch team. I figure there are plenty of 7 and 8 yr olds who to struggle to hit my circle change. If I mix in an occasional heater and ephus pitch I ought to be perfect for the job. At the very least, I can't do worse than JOEBLOW!AB

PS Betancourt is the right answer here, at least for the short term

 

[Knightro]

All the warning signs for JoeBlow were there last year.....anyone who drafted him this year got what they deserved. Same with Todd Jones owners.

 

[MAC_32]

Reported on local radio, he's being DL'd. No link yet...

 

[Bobcat10]

Reported on local radio, he's being DL'd. No link yet...

Indians place Borowski on DL with strained triceps

April 15, 2008

CBSSports.com wire reports

The Closer

CLEVELAND -- Indians closer Joe Borowski was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, a day after blowing a save and giving up a two-run homer in the ninth inning to Boston's Manny Ramirez in a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox.

The club said Borowski, who led the AL with 45 saves last season, has a strained triceps. He had been puzzled and frustrated by a significant loss in his velocity.

The club recalled right-hander Tom Mastny from Triple-A Buffalo.

With Borowski out, Indians manager Eric Wedge likely will turn to Rafael Betancourt as his new closer. Betancourt was one of baseball's top set-up men last season. He had three saves last season and has 12 career saves.

 

[wadegarrett]

Reported on local radio, he's being DL'd. No link yet...

Indians place Borowski on DL with strained triceps

April 15, 2008

CBSSports.com wire reports

The Closer

CLEVELAND -- Indians closer Joe Borowski was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, a day after blowing a save and giving up a two-run homer in the ninth inning to Boston's Manny Ramirez in a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox.

The club said Borowski, who led the AL with 45 saves last season, has a strained triceps. He had been puzzled and frustrated by a significant loss in his velocity.

The club recalled right-hander Tom Mastny from Triple-A Buffalo.

With Borowski out, Indians manager Eric Wedge likely will turn to Rafael Betancourt as his new closer. Betancourt was one of baseball's top set-up men last season. He had three saves last season and has 12 career saves.

Yeah, that's the problem.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Reported on local radio, he's being DL'd. No link yet...

Indians place Borowski on DL with strained triceps

April 15, 2008

CBSSports.com wire reports

The Closer

CLEVELAND -- Indians closer Joe Borowski was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, a day after blowing a save and giving up a two-run homer in the ninth inning to Boston's Manny Ramirez in a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox.

The club said Borowski, who led the AL with 45 saves last season, has a strained triceps. He had been puzzled and frustrated by a significant loss in his velocity.

The club recalled right-hander Tom Mastny from Triple-A Buffalo.

With Borowski out, Indians manager Eric Wedge likely will turn to Rafael Betancourt as his new closer. Betancourt was one of baseball's top set-up men last season. He had three saves last season and has 12 career saves.

Yeah, that's the problem.

His fastball was at 83 last night. I know he wasn't great in 2007, but he was throwing harder than that.

 

[Mister Martie]

It's amazing how overvalued "closers" are. Dude had a 5.07 ERA last year and they picked up his 4 million dollar option? Absolute craziness stemming from a made up stat. Baseball people are ridiculous.

 

[MAC_32]

ESPN Radio Cleveland is reporting Betancourt will get first crack at the closer role.

 

[Sam Quentin]

Another mb source says Betancourt

http://www.fantasybaseballcafe.com/forums/...ic.php?t=337289

 

[Spartans Rule]

For those of us who had Borowski and Betancourt, this is a blessing not really in disguise.

We're potentially looking at a very good closer on a very good team here. If he keeps the job all year, I could see Betancourt with 40 saves and some very nice ratios.

Borowski's still on my team, but I won't be praying for a quick recovery.

 

[MAC_32]

For those of us who had Borowski and Betancourt, this is a blessing not really in disguise.We're potentially looking at a very good closer on a very good team here. If he keeps the job all year, I could see Betancourt with 40 saves and some very nice ratios.Borowski's still on my team, but I won't be praying for a quick recovery.

Yup, high five to good planning. I added Kobayashi just in case in Joe Bo's former roster spot (moved to the DL), but expect to drop him in a week or two once Betancourt solidifies himself.I think it's a dumb move on the Indians part, but it works for my fantasy team.

 

[Buckfast]

Betancourt now end-of-game go-to guy

Right-hander becomes closer with Borowski on 15-day DL

CLEVELAND -- Rafael Betancourt claims his approach will remain the same. Only the inning listed on the scoreboard, he said, will be different.

It's not that simple, of course. Anybody who's held a closer's job, as Betancourt now does in light of the injured Joe Borowski's absence, will tell you that the ninth inning is a different animal.

Betancourt just isn't looking to treat it that way.

"I've pitched in every spot in the bullpen," Betancourt said. "Now I'm going to finish the game. That's the only difference I see at this point. I pitched in the eighth inning last year. I learned those situations -- every time I pitched with guys on base and the game on the line. Now I have to pitch like I always do, be aggressive and get the last three outs of the game."

Betancourt is 12-for-29 in his career in save situations, but those numbers are actually deceiving for a setup man. In ninth-inning save situations -- a much more telling stat -- Betancourt is 1-1 and 12-for-15 in the saves department.

"It doesn't guarantee anything," Indians manager Eric Wedge said, "but he's closed a couple games for us the last few years."

One game Betancourt wasn't scheduled to close was Tuesday's series finale against the Red Sox. Having worked the previous two days, Betancourt was unavailable for his first day on the job. Right-hander Jensen Lewis and left-hander Rafael Perez were set to handle the closing duties, if necessary, depending on the matchups.

Masa Kobayashi, who had 227 saves in nine seasons in the Japanese Pacific League, and Jorge Julio, who has 99 career saves in the bigs, were not considered for the job. Kobayashi is still getting settled in the Majors, and Julio has been working long relief.



"I'm not ready to go from zero to 60 with those guys right now," Wedge said.

Betancourt, who has a 5.14 ERA in seven appearances this season, worked the ninth in Double-A ball and in the Venezuelan Winter League. But with Borowski out for at least two to four weeks with a right triceps strain, this will be his first significant stretch as a big league closer.

"The adrenaline in that situation is different," Betancourt said. "Being aggressive is very important for me. That's the way I always like to pitch, and I don't think I'm going to change anything in the way I pitch."

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/arti...sp&c_id=cle

 

[Buckfast]

I thought it was interesting that Wedge said that Kobayashi was not considered for the closing role, despite Betancourt's day off. I would have expected Kobayashi to be in line for the save in that situation.

Lewis, Perez, and Julio sure didn't do anything to press for any closer-by-committee situation based on the way they blew the Indian's lead tonight.

I had picked up Kobayashi last night in anticipation of Borowski hitting the DL thinking that he could possibly get some save opportunities, but it sounds like Betancourt will be the unquestioned closer.

Cleveland fans must be rejoicing. I can't believe this didn't happen at some point last year.

 

[Spartans Rule]

I thought it was interesting that Wedge said that Kobayashi was not considered for the closing role, despite Betancourt's day off. I would have expected Kobayashi to be in line for the save in that situation.Lewis, Perez, and Julio sure didn't do anything to press for any closer-by-committee situation based on the way they blew the Indian's lead tonight. I had picked up Kobayashi last night in anticipation of Borowski hitting the DL thinking that he could possibly get some save opportunities, but it sounds like Betancourt will be the unquestioned closer. Cleveland fans must be rejoicing. I can't believe this didn't happen at some point last year.

I think Kobayashi would've been given more consideration had this happened later in the season. Right now, he's only thrown 4.1 MLB innings. He may get a shot somewhere down the road.

 

[Buckfast]

I thought it was interesting that Wedge said that Kobayashi was not considered for the closing role, despite Betancourt's day off. I would have expected Kobayashi to be in line for the save in that situation.Lewis, Perez, and Julio sure didn't do anything to press for any closer-by-committee situation based on the way they blew the Indian's lead tonight. I had picked up Kobayashi last night in anticipation of Borowski hitting the DL thinking that he could possibly get some save opportunities, but it sounds like Betancourt will be the unquestioned closer. Cleveland fans must be rejoicing. I can't believe this didn't happen at some point last year.

I think Kobayashi would've been given more consideration had this happened later in the season. Right now, he's only thrown 4.1 MLB innings. He may get a shot somewhere down the road.

Yeah, that is the impression I got from from Wedge's quotes.

 

[Bobcat10]

Betancourt is so valuable because he got the Tribe to the 9th inning with the lead in so many games last year. Getting to Betancourt could be a problem, see last night.

 

[MAC_32]

Betancourt is so valuable because he got the Tribe to the 9th inning with the lead in so many games last year. Getting to Betancourt could be a problem, see last night.

Which is why I believe this is a dumb move by the Indians.