Leave Smith as closer?

[QuinlansMinion]

Hes done a great job there.  I dont think we should put in someone new right away.  Street would be solid as a 7th and 8th inning guy.  

[Broad Street]

Smith has done a great job as the closer, but isn't on Street's level.

[Halos of Anaheim]

Lol, that would negate that entire trade. Street better be closing every single save opportunity, and succeeding as well.

[Angelsjunky]

It would be rich if the Angels emptied the farm of three of their five or so best prospects for a 7th-8th inning guy.

 

No, Street is the closer.

[Angel Oracle]

Then it had better be Smith to Jepsen to Street, because pitching Smith and Street back-to-back negates the advantage had from pitching extremely different styles back-to-back in Jepsen and Smith.

How else has Smith retired 33 out of his past 34 batters faced?

[arch stanton]

If they pitch back-to-back they aren't facing the same hitters. Street will be the 9th inning and the others can match up with Smith taking on the big boys. Also can make sure the hitters don't see the same pitchers two days in a row.

[stormngt]

Yeah we gave up three very good players for a set up man. This trade is nothing short of a disadter. We did not need the guy!

Hes done a great job there. I dont think we should put in someone new right away. Street would be solid as a 7th and 8th inning guy.

[Glen]

Then it had better be Smith to Jepsen to Street, because pitching Smith and Street back-to-back negates the advantage had from pitching extremely different styles back-to-back in Jepsen and Smith.

How else has Smith retired 33 out of his past 34 batters faced?

 

 

Your second sentence has absolutely nothing to do with your first sentence.  

[nate]

If they traded away the future for Street not to close I will probably need to be banned.

[Angel Oracle]

Your second sentence has absolutely nothing to do with your first sentence.

Why is that? One of the reasons for Smith retiring 33 of 34 batters may well be the 9th inning batters watching Jepsen's heat and slider, even if from the bench, and then having to adjust to Smith's more finesse style.

[Thomas]

Insert obligatory comment about how closers are overrated and the 8th inning is just as important as the 9th inning.

[Stradling]

Why is that? One of the reasons for Smith retiring 33 of 34 batters may well be the 9th inning batters watching Jepsen's heat and slider, even if from the bench, and then having to adjust to Smith's more finesse style.

Except they didn't face the same batters AO.

[Sherlock31]

Smith has done a great job as the closer, but isn't on Street's level.

Oh!

 

Smith 15 for 15 in save situation, Street 24 for 25

 

Ya, not on Street's level

 

Next topic

[SigBaby]

Insert obligatory comment about how closers are overrated and the 8th inning is just as important as the 9th inning.

 

You make it sound like you don't think this is true. I'd like to hear your reasoning

[tomsred]

Insert obligatory comment about how closers are overrated and the 8th inning is just as important as the 9th inning.

 

Obligatory Comment:  Who you pitch in innings 6, 7, an 8 is just as important as who you pith in the ninth.  I believe that.

[Turd Ferguson]

Sounds like someone has Joe Smith on his fantasy team

[tdawg87]

Make Jeppy the closer.

[laagamer]

Personally, I agree.

 

I think that a set-up guy is more valuable than a closer.

 

The RP you bring in with a runner in scoring position and nobody out in the 8th is more important than your closer IMO.

 

But that's just me. 

Edited July 19, 2014 by laagamer

[HaloMagic]

Why is that? One of the reasons for Smith retiring 33 of 34 batters may well be the 9th inning batters watching Jepsen's heat and slider, even if from the bench, and then having to adjust to Smith's more finesse style.

Last season the A's had Doolittle, Cook, and Balfour 7-8-9 slinging 95+ and it didn't seem to help hitters at all.

[Jeff Fletcher]

If the same hitter faces Smith in the 8th and Street in the 9th, something has gone seriously wrong.

[FabulousFabregas]

bring back frieri

[bloodbrother]

bring back frieri

 

[Thomas]

You make it sound like you don't think this is true. I'd like to hear your reasoning

 

Obligatory Comment:  Who you pitch in innings 6, 7, an 8 is just as important as who you pith in the ninth.  I believe that.

 

Lol sorry. Nope, I do actually believe it as well. But was shocked this wasn't brought up already. So felt it was obligatory to post it.

[QuinlansMinion]

Street is great but I just dont like breaking up roles when players are starting to get comfortable.  Street could be just as valuable in the 7th and 8th. 

[AngelsFanSince86]

While who you pitch to in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings are just as important as in the 9th, it takes a certain mindset to close out a game.  I think Smith has that mindset and I think he will be used to close out many games when it is necessary.  Street has more experience in the role, but if you look at the stats Smith has been better.  Smith has a 0.39 ERA in the 9th compared to Streets 1.29 ERA (Street has about 5 more IP then Smith in the 9th). Smith has blown 4 saves this year though.  I think Street should be seen as our primary closer, but for the most part they should switch off.