I hate my closer...

[dhall2010]

So my closer's blown a few saves lately, but I decide to use him again in the 9th with a 2 run lead...

I figure there's gotta be some positive regression coming, right?

So he gives up a hit and a walk, but gets 2 Ks, so I'm feeling less worried...

And then gives up a f****** walkoff homer.

[BMW]

In an online league, I was one out from sweeping a playoff series. I lost in seven games.

On the other hand, the other owner was pretty happy. When you lose in baseball, someone else wins.

[Juggernt]

Everyone hates their closer.

[dhall2010]

Originally Posted by BMW

In an online league, I was one out from sweeping a playoff series. I lost in seven games.

On the other hand, the other owner was pretty happy. When you lose in baseball, someone else wins.

Sure, but when the 'someone else' is just the AI, it's not very comforting.

[BMW]

Originally Posted by dhall2010

Sure, but when the 'someone else' is just the AI, it's not very comforting.

True. Unless it's Cyberdyne! Then it's REALLY uncomfortable.

[NoOne]

shhh, they are watching!

computers know!

[Brad K]

A few years ago in my current game.

Steve Howe 1983

IP 81.0
ERA 3.33
WHIP 1.14
Saves 44
W - L 6 - 12

Team only lost 44 for the season...

[Harry Hibbs]

Originally Posted by dhall2010

So my closer's blown a few saves lately, but I decide to use him again in the 9th with a 2 run lead...

I figure there's gotta be some positive regression coming, right?

So he gives up a hit and a walk, but gets 2 Ks, so I'm feeling less worried...

And then gives up a f****** walkoff homer.

Perhaps AI is modeling confidence drop. That's what I like to think, anyhow if my closer blows back to back saves I use someone else for the next couple chances.

[Cactusguy21]

Come over to the dark side of using "stoppers"...

[Ball Four]

I really like my closer.

I got him as a free agent,he was being used as a hitter,on my search he struck me as being a half decent (for my team ) RP.

I got him on a 3 year deal @ 300K a season.

My HC played him as our closer,he finished with a ERA of 2.14 and 34 saves.

...and his name is Kyle Hill,the name of my nephew...how cool is that!

[Blackjack]

That's my biggest pet peeve! Hate it when my closer blows a save!

[BMW]

I have the best closer in my online league. He strikes out 12-14 per nine innings.

And his home town?

Gas City, Indiana.

Does it get any better than that?

[rudel.dietrich]

When and if your team is good you tend to draft towards the end of the round.
So often if there is not a better option I will take the best RP a round or two ahead of where the AI would take them.
You can grab fantastic relievers year after year at the end of the 1st or second round.

The current market inefficiency in baseball is a bullpen. My teams tend to have a very strong one. I keep them for their minimums and arbitration years and then trade them if I can or let them go to FA. Half of the time if they hit FA they are an A or B type and I get a compensation pick and I can simply draft yet more!


I have also found that they tend to develop faster in my minors than just about any other player. Maybe due to them only knowing 2 or 3 pitches?
And in the draft you can often find them already pretty well developed and begin them in AA or AAA.

[NoOne]

Originally Posted by Brad K

A few years ago in my current game.

Steve Howe 1983

IP 81.0
ERA 3.33
WHIP 1.14
Saves 44
W - L 6 - 12

Team only lost 44 for the season...

when you start winning by wider margins, you get fewer save opportunities. e.g. a 90-100win team likely sees more save opportunities than a ~120 win team.

"12" losses for a guy that plays 1 inning doesn't really mean much. even less when you use him only in tighter situations too. if you make the room for error razor thin for that particular player's role, you have to be forgiving about what you see in regard to an overarching stat like win/loss.

---------------

i defintely look for elite RP are there at end of first... many can get to end of 2nd too. i only do this if i think they can be amazing RP/CL. no reaching if investing that early on a 60-80ip per year guy.

as far as my closers... iam happy if they consistently save > 90% each year... typically a ~.920 and higher clip can do that. rookie and even a year or two after i'm a bit more forgiving on that. by year 3-4 they better be rocking out and any blip to save % better be explained by odd stats / bad luck etc..

[Brad K]

I posted mostly because I thought it was interesting he figured in 27% of the team's losses.

[krownroyal83]

Not a closer but back in the early days of my fictional league my team was very offensively talented but we never had a true #1 pitcher and thus i felt it was holding us back from winning a championship. Fast forward to one off season where i picked up a guy who i thought would be the future for us. He started off struggling and before he had a chance to turn it around he was injured for the year. Next year he stinks it up again, and about 1/3rd of the way through the season i decided i've had enough and sent him packing. Proceeds to tear it up with his new team for the next 4 years before retiring causing me to wonder if i should have traded him. If only i hadn't signed him to a big contract i would have kept him around.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

When and if your team is good you tend to draft towards the end of the round.
So often if there is not a better option I will take the best RP a round or two ahead of where the AI would take them.
You can grab fantastic relievers year after year at the end of the 1st or second round.

The current market inefficiency in baseball is a bullpen. My teams tend to have a very strong one. I keep them for their minimums and arbitration years and then trade them if I can or let them go to FA. Half of the time if they hit FA they are an A or B type and I get a compensation pick and I can simply draft yet more!


I have also found that they tend to develop faster in my minors than just about any other player. Maybe due to them only knowing 2 or 3 pitches?
And in the draft you can often find them already pretty well developed and begin them in AA or AAA.

The compensation picks are nice.

Another thing is that sometimes (playing real players) there's a starter available late in round 1 who is going to take 5 years or so to develop. Which is OK for a team that is usually winning.