Closer Watch: 2017

[Truconfidence]

Love Ziegler also love that he knows hos weaknesses and doesnt really gove lefties anything to drive. they hit him pretty good though. Righties have 0 chance. the only thing that makes him bad for closing for us is having Murphy at 2b.

[mk6lazarchick]

Love Ziegler also love that he knows hos weaknesses and doesnt really gove lefties anything to drive. they hit him pretty good though. Righties have 0 chance. the only thing that makes him bad for closing for us is having Murphy at 2b.

Well you'll hate him now, he's a Marlin.

[Truconfidence]

Well you'll hate him now, he's a Marlin.

thats a good closer for them because of their infield defense. I was always fine with going with Glover to start and then making adjustments as necessary at the deadline.

[comish4lif]

Well you'll hate him now, he's a Marlin.

2 years and only $16 million. I guess that the Nats didn't really want him.

[imref]

2 years and only $16 million. I guess that the Nats didn't really want him.

He's mediocre against lefties. That's all I can think of.

[Expos]

It would be nice to get Alex Colome. A young fireballer under control for years on a cheap contract.

This yearly closer search is not too fun.

[dshawg77]

It would be nice to get Alex Colome. A young fireballer under control for years on a cheap contract.

This yearly closer search is not too fun.

Based on Rizzo's first trade, we will probably trade Harper for him.

[NatsAllThe Way]

Based on Rizzo's first trade, we will probably trade Harper for him.

Harper and Robles.

[imref]

Fangraphs likes Kelley

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/shawn-kelley-washington-nationals-closer/

[GburgNatsFan]

Seems to me that closer-by-committee until the break is a sensible approach.

Fangraphs likes Kelley

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/shawn-kelley-washington-nationals-closer/

[Natsinpwc]

Fangraphs likes Kelley

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/shawn-kelley-washington-nationals-closer/

So do the Lerners. The short arms, deep pockets ownership.

[Slateman]

Fangraphs likes Kelley

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/shawn-kelley-washington-nationals-closer/

Two things:

1. He hasn't been great in high pressure saves in the past
2. He is likely headed towards another TJS.

[tzinc]

One thing that was SHOWN from last season without a doubt was the importance of a shut down closer.

It is disgusting they couldn't get the job done and get one.

They couldn't even pick up someone with a pedigree like Casilla or Holland.

Imagine next year as the lack of a closer kills this team again and again Paps style... what will it cost to get a closer then in terms of destroying long term depth on the team? Versus what it would have cost now which is just  MONEY

[GburgNatsFan]

I don't think it shows it at all. I think what is shows is how bad it is to rely on the same guy that can't get it done night after night because they're "the closer."

Mixing and matching in the ninth should be as effective as it is in any other inning.

One thing that was SHOWN from last season without a doubt was the importance of a shut down closer.

It is disgusting they couldn't get the job done and get one.

They couldn't even pick up someone with a pedigree like Casilla or Holland.

Imagine next year as the lack of a closer kills this team again and again Paps style... what will it cost to get a closer then in terms of destroying long term depth on the team? Versus what it would have cost now which is just  MONEY

[tzinc]

As far as I can remember bullpen by committee has not worked in delivering WSs to teams almost every WS winner over the years has had a dominant closer.  Most successful teams do not employ bullpen by committee.  Some teams have had 2 or 3 dominant closers on their team at a time but that is not bullpen by committee that is a team with several dominant closers.  The Nats do not have a dominant closer let alone a couple of them.

The great thing is we can debate this but the proof will be in the pudding we will see during the season whether I'm right or you are.

And the thing with Paps imo is they kept sending him out because they didn't think the other guys could close. Closing is not just a physical thing it is very much a mental thing as well.

[dracnal]

The thing with Paps imo is they kept sending him out because they didn't think the other guys could close.

Closing is not just a physical thing it is very much a mental thing as well.

I agree to the second sentence, but not the first. Paps was sent out because he was 'the closer' and Matt Williams was not one to deviate from a plan. Any plan. Standard decision. And if other people were closing games, Paps would not have handled it well at all, from a mental standpoint.

[skippy1999]

And if other people were closing games, Paps would not have handled it well at all, from a mental standpoint.

Would any pitcher?  Andrew Miller notwithstanding, aren't they all more comfortable knowing their "role"?

[DPMOmaha]

One thing that was SHOWN from last season without a doubt was the importance of a shut down closer.

It's shown that you need it in the playoffs. The Nats have more than enough talent to piece meal it through until the trade deadline and figure out what to do then. You absolutely do not need a dominant closer during the regular season. It's nice, I'd love to have it, but if the rest of your team is strong, which I think the Nats are, you can get through the season without it. You probably won't survive October, however.

[comish4lif]

Joe Nathan, come on down!

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/nationals-sign-joe-nathan-matt-albers.html

[Slateman]

I don't think it shows it at all. I think what is shows is how bad it is to rely on the same guy that can't get it done night after night because they're "the closer."

Mixing and matching in the ninth should be as effective as it is in any other inning.

Its not. Particularly with Dusty.

[GburgNatsFan]

Shrug. I suspect we are going to see.

Its not. Particularly with Dusty.

[madj55]

So the options appear to be Kelley, Nathan, Treinen and Glover.

[amanuel]

So the options appear to be Kelley, Nathan, Treinen and Glover.

[imref]

Papelbon and Soriano are still out there...

[GburgNatsFan]

Is that a illustration of a dick on the wall???

(Image removed from quote.)