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On Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde
It's one of the most infamous Tiger traditions: Closers never, ever, make it easy.
At least since Willie Hernandez was nearly perfect in 1984. Mike Henneman, Todd Jones, Fernando Rodney (yeah, now he is great) - and now Jose Valverde.
It's amazing, too, because the Tigers have tried so hard to solidify the position, even with first-round draft picks such as Rick Greene, Matt Anderson (first overall) and Ryan Perry over the years.
Maybe it is just the nature of the position. You don't hear much about closers when they are doing well. They get an inordinate amount of criticism when they blow saves (Jones, for example, was terrific in the postseason in 2006, which is never discussed). Jose Valverde is the latest in the line of Tiger closers who falls into this category. He has blown four of 20 save opportunities this season. Some the opportunities he has closed out have fallen into the "too close for comfort" category. His statistics overall are not good, but could it be this town was just spoiled by Valverde going 49-of-49 in save situations last season? He was amazingly clutch in the postseason, especially in the rain in New York with that Yankee arsenal of a lineup staring back at him.
I have to admit, I had a classic knee-jerk reaction to Valverde Saturday when he blew a save situation in extra innings at Baltimore, so much so I went on Twitter and tweeted it might be good to see how setup man Joaquin Benoit would do in save situations. Sure enough, the Tigers took the lead again. Sure enough, Benoit was shelled. He has blown two of the three opportunities he has had to save games this season. I couldn't have been more wrong. Frankly, I should have known better.
It is Valverde or bust. I've thought at times that perhaps the Tigers biggest target near the tradie deadline should be a closer, somebody as insurance for closer, who could provide as a starter if needed. I've written in this blog that the Astros' Brett Myers is the perfect target because he can start and close, but he has had some rough outings in this first season closing, too. Compared to the primary competition in the AL Central, Valverde doesn't look bad. Chris Perez, the closer for the Indians, was lit up like a firecracker in some of his outings in recent weeks. The White Sox closer, Addison Reed, has six blown saves in 19 opportunities. He is very young (23) and inexperienced (just six minor league saves).
Valverde has a proven track record. There is no indication he is not healthy. I take back my Tweet from this weekend, and I'd just keep handing him the ball - and hold on....
At least since Willie Hernandez was nearly perfect in 1984. Mike Henneman, Todd Jones, Fernando Rodney (yeah, now he is great) - and now Jose Valverde.
It's amazing, too, because the Tigers have tried so hard to solidify the position, even with first-round draft picks such as Rick Greene, Matt Anderson (first overall) and Ryan Perry over the years.
Maybe it is just the nature of the position. You don't hear much about closers when they are doing well. They get an inordinate amount of criticism when they blow saves (Jones, for example, was terrific in the postseason in 2006, which is never discussed). Jose Valverde is the latest in the line of Tiger closers who falls into this category. He has blown four of 20 save opportunities this season. Some the opportunities he has closed out have fallen into the "too close for comfort" category. His statistics overall are not good, but could it be this town was just spoiled by Valverde going 49-of-49 in save situations last season? He was amazingly clutch in the postseason, especially in the rain in New York with that Yankee arsenal of a lineup staring back at him. I have to admit, I had a classic knee-jerk reaction to Valverde Saturday when he blew a save situation in extra innings at Baltimore, so much so I went on Twitter and tweeted it might be good to see how setup man Joaquin Benoit would do in save situations. Sure enough, the Tigers took the lead again. Sure enough, Benoit was shelled. He has blown two of the three opportunities he has had to save games this season. I couldn't have been more wrong. Frankly, I should have known better.
It is Valverde or bust. I've thought at times that perhaps the Tigers biggest target near the tradie deadline should be a closer, somebody as insurance for closer, who could provide as a starter if needed. I've written in this blog that the Astros' Brett Myers is the perfect target because he can start and close, but he has had some rough outings in this first season closing, too. Compared to the primary competition in the AL Central, Valverde doesn't look bad. Chris Perez, the closer for the Indians, was lit up like a firecracker in some of his outings in recent weeks. The White Sox closer, Addison Reed, has six blown saves in 19 opportunities. He is very young (23) and inexperienced (just six minor league saves).
Valverde has a proven track record. There is no indication he is not healthy. I take back my Tweet from this weekend, and I'd just keep handing him the ball - and hold on....
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:29 PM
1 Comments:
This is an classic example of the sun setting on a baseball career. Sure he might get a bounce next year but that will be it. Valverde was amazing against the Yanks considering his arm was dead. The first red flag goes up against a pitcher is drop in velocity. Drop in velocity means injury or injury is coming or father time is setting in. Drop in velocity is my most important stats. I would love to see Mike Adams in a Tiger uniform next year until I read his fastball 2 m.p.h slower than his norm even though he is pitching great. To make things worst, next year crop of relievers in free agency is thin. I would give the ball to Benoit next year because his stuff is very good and still there. We better not trade Rondon.
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