Frieri is finished as closer!

[mp170.6]

He is seriously too stubborn and prideful for his own good. He has refused to change his managing style and it has absolutely slaughtered this team.

 

This is how arrogant, narcissistic people act. 

 

He can't make any changes because he would have to concede that his previous choices failed.  Again, nothing new for him.  He's been doing this since he got here but it got particularly bad after 2002. 

[Guest]

freese should definitely always be replaced defensively in the 9th - an obvious managerial mistake and sticking with frieri for so long in the 9th inning was another one.  scioscia's dumb decision making has already cost this team at least 4 wins now.  im shocked people still defend him as a good manager.

 

... but if you take Freese out of the game in order to play a better defender like John McDonald or Ian Stewart you will also be taking his bat out of the lineup 

Edited April 24, 2014 by ScottLux

[Skankhunt42]

Maybe Freese and Er not so nasty can switch rolls. The results couldn't be any worse than they are now and it would be hilarious. We should at least get some sort of entertainment if Scioscia is going to continue using a Sh1tty closer

[YouthofToday]

Hanrahan is healthy and looking for a 2 year deal. No idea how he looks though.

Guys, the solution is simple. Stop carrying 12 catchers. Trade for Mathis. Have Mathis be our designated catcher in the late innings. This surely must entail a dramatic lowering of our RP era due to His CERA, right?

[CaliAngel]

If I was Weaver I'd be at the point of throwing chairs at Frieri and then Scioscia as they made their way into the clubhouse after a game like this.

 

He's one of many problems still in that bullpen, but Frieri has single handedly erased so many Weaver wins the past couple years.

[Jeff Fletcher]

FYI, as I tweeted last night, I don't expect Frieri to be the closer on Friday.

Last night when we asked Scioscia he couldn't really say he's changing closers 10 minutes after the game, before really discussing it with Frieri or Smith (or whoever he wants to close) and Butcher and even Dipoto. You just don't do that in 10 minutes when emotions are raw after a loss.

So feel free to freak about Frieri, but don't freak out about Scioscia.

If he repeats on Friday that Frieri is the closer, freak out then.

[Lhalo]

FYI, as I tweeted last night, I don't expect Frieri to be the closer on Friday.

Last night when we asked Scioscia he couldn't really say he's changing closers 10 minutes after the game, before really discussing it with Frieri or Smith (or whoever he wants to close) and Butcher and even Dipoto. You just don't do that in 10 minutes when emotions are raw after a loss.

So feel free to freak about Frieri, but don't freak out about Scioscia.

If he repeats on Friday that Frieri is the closer, freak out then.

I hope you're right Jeff. My fantasy team is counting on you.

[nando714]

Simple solution

Trade for Papelbon

I kid I kid

[ScottT]

I'm guessing Frieri's confidence takes a bigger hit when he's getting crushed between the lines than it does if the wacky "closer" title is not his.  

 

It seems reasonable to avoid that discussion immediately after the game with the media, though.

[Stradling]

FYI, as I tweeted last night, I don't expect Frieri to be the closer on Friday.

Last night when we asked Scioscia he couldn't really say he's changing closers 10 minutes after the game, before really discussing it with Frieri or Smith (or whoever he wants to close) and Butcher and even Dipoto. You just don't do that in 10 minutes when emotions are raw after a loss.

So feel free to freak about Frieri, but don't freak out about Scioscia.

If he repeats on Friday that Frieri is the closer, freak out then.

Jeff I thought about this too. How do you say just a few minutes after a game that you're changing closers? Even if you are going to change closers there's a process there. If you make the decision to change closers and share it with the media before you share it with the players, well that's bush league and it won't do much for Frieri either. He may not be the closer but he almost certainly will still be pitching out of the bullpen for us. I will lose whatever amount of faith I have left in Scioscia if Frieri is still the closer to Friday night.

[Jason]

Scioscia has demoted closers in the past for their ineffectiveness. I don't see why he wouldn't again. Frieri will not be the closer for long.

[Troll Daddy]

Jeff Fletcher is right on the money with his opinion.

[stormngt]

I don't think there is a soul on this board that wouldn't have pulled Frieri before he gave up the game-tying hit. I understand Scioscia's options are limited but that's an elementary decision. I don't care if Salas's arm was colder than Freese's bat, Scioscia needed to pull get Frieri the hell out of there. He couldn't find the strike zone and his fast ball had zero movement. 

 

It sucks that this team has so much talent yet these games are wasted because of a terrible bullpen and bad managerial decisions.

Salas has let every runner he inherited score, and you argue he was a better option.  OK! 

[Stradling]

He would have been a better option to start the 9th last night storm. Frieri is throwing one pitch it's called a 400 foot fastball.

[yk9001]

I am not a Scioscia fan, but I don't understand what he did wrong last night.  He had the option between sh*t and p*ss last night.

 

Dennis Eckersley was not walking through those bullpen gates last night.

[Stradling]

I would say Scioscia went wrong by having Frieri pitch to Werth, after the solo home run, the single and the walk.

[tdawg87]

I've always hated how teams live or die in the 9th by their "closer". If the guy doesn't have it, get him the hell out of there.

 

It isn't just something MS does, most managers do the same thing. It's dumb.

[mota_madness]

No out pitch, only can throw a fastball straight down the middle. I could see that coming a mile away, just surprised Cespedes didn't jack one out.

 

This teams bullpen is GARBAGE!

not garbage but frieri is and so is jepsen... sciosh will figure it out.. if not jerry will put his foot down real soon..

[yk9001]

I am all in favor of going with the hot hand, or closer by committee, or using best reliever for highest leverage situations.

 

The point last night is that none of the Frieri alternatives are any good.

[HaloMagic]

if not jerry will put his foot down real soon..

I think just about the last thing I want is Dipoto tinkering number with the bullpen. Either call up the kids or leave it, your fancy tricks aren't helping.

[bloodbrother]

Probably not, but I'd have rather tried somebody else there rather than stick with Frieri until he completely blew the lead

 

Dude looked terrible, but it was still 4-2 and they needed 2 outs. Try somebody else there before it's too late

[Angels]

Frieri is yet another example of why you don't spend big $ on relievers. These guys are highly combustible and often times you just don't know what you're going to get. 

[Lhalo]

Salas has let every runner he inherited score, and you argue he was a better option.  OK! 

 

Storm did you watch the game? With the way Frieri was serving them up Bea Arthur would have been a better option.

[Kendo36]

How is the bullpen our weakness when you have a god damn bullpen pitcher as your GM

[Stradling]

How is the bullpen our weakness when you have a god damn bullpen pitcher as your GM

Simple, he is trying to build from within and that way he doesn't have to overpay to get those guys. It does take longer than two drafts to build a bullpen.