Where would we be without Frieri?

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

He's certainly not perfect, and man would I love to have a real closer and have him take the 8th inning as a set up man in each game, but dude came on last year and immediately took the closer role with finesse.  We'd be in the shitter without him.  At this point, after last season and this month with him as closer, do we just go all in and convert him to a closer?  I can't help but think we're pussy footin' around with him, expecting him to just tide us over until Madsen is ready, when what we should really be doing is grooming him as a closer ala K-Rod...nail biting, edge-of-your seat 9th inning performances and all.

 

What would you do?  Groom him as a legitimate closer now since Madsen ain't gonna be ready any time soon, or sit pat and hope Frieri will eventually become a middle/late relief guy once we get a closer?

[full circle]

He needs another swing and miss pitch before he'll be a dominant late innings reliever in this league going forward.

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

He needs another swing and miss pitch before he'll be a dominant late innings reliever in this league going forward.

And that probably won't happen unless the team makes converting him into a closer a real priority.  I'd say that your statement is true even if he stays a middle relief or setup guy?

[full circle]

Why would the team need to do anything for frieri to develop an off-speed pitch? If he wants to close and be dominant the onus is on him to show the angels he can do it.

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

Probably 10-17. It seems like all of his appearances are an adventure. I'd rather not have him as the closer. Hopefully, he can develop into a good closer in a year or two.

[Glen]

You said "onus."

[Homebrewer]

I asked this same question in another thread, when people were trying to put all the blame on our 2nd year GM..

for the team's current, sorry , state.

I see him as a Shields-like 8th inning guy, who can close when needed.

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

Thanks for playing...you've given tremendous rationale and food for thought.  It's posts like yours that really generate contributions from the greater fan base, moron.

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

Probably 10-17. It seems like all of his appearances are an adventure. I'd rather not have him as the closer. Hopefully, he can develop into a good closer in a year or two.

Weren't K-Rod's?

[full circle]

Ya, which is the main reason they let him walk.

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

Ya, which is the main reason they let him walk.

I don't think so.

[full circle]

I do. I clearly remember Arte saying as much in an interview.

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

Ah, OK.  Maybe you wanna examine the data?

[full circle]

What data?

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

In his last year with the Angels, 2008, he had a 2.24 ERA with 62 saves....but as you stated..."Arte said"...

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

What data?

You have a computer, yes?  I'm just wondering if you are going to quote Arte or the data.

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

It really angers me when supposed fans come on here and make proclamations and don't back it up with anything intelligible. 

[full circle]

Now your arguing Krod's appearances weren't an adventure? What is your point?

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

No, go back and read again.

[AZMike]

Probably 10-17. It seems like all of his appearances are an adventure. I'd rather not have him as the closer. Hopefully, he can develop into a good closer in a year or two.

Imagine how much better off we'd be if that Carlos Marmol trade had gone through 

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

Point was that K-Rod was absolutely effective while his innings were an adventure; never claimed they weren't.  I think I even mentioned that in the original post.  I see similarities with Frieri.  We have a reading comprehension fail.

[full circle]

Yes we do, on your part. I never said Krod wasn't effective in his time here. Go back and read again.

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

Actually, Frankie was looking for a Large Pay Day after breaking the saves record. And the Organization didn't feel a closer for 10M+ per year was a good place to lay down the salary.

 

Have we had issues since? Yes, I figure that on the state of the minor league system. Though we have shelled out some good money for some solid setup guys previously. Some that didn't work like Rodney who they thrust into the Closer spot though in reality he didn't have the best season in Detroit the year prior.

 

So, in closing I like Frieri though I would rather use him as the setup guy. Hopefully it works when/if Madson returns. The pen should hopefully end up nice with Downs, Burnett, Frieri and Madson to finish games.

Downs is gone after this season, I believe.  Madson is MIA.  All we have is Frieri, literally, as a reliable reliever...maybe you could include Williams, too.

[full circle]

I'd suggest calming down a little while you read.

[Earnest Borgnine of 9]

Yes we do, on your part. I never said Krod wasn't effective in his time here. Go back and read again.

Oh my.  You asked if I was saying K-Rod's outings weren't an adventure and I answered you.  Who ever said they weren't?  Discussing baseball with you is like two ships passing in the night; no clash at all.