ROBINSON
FINISHES HIS 2011 PREVIEW WITH A LOOK AT DUSTY'S PALS
2.8.11
BY:MSR
THE BULLPEN
ROBINSON CONTINUES HIS
2011 PREVIEW WITH A LOOK AT DUSTY'S PALS
If there is any team in the major leagues with a realistic hope of making
the playoffs they have to have a good bullpen. Pitching and defense wins. A
great bullpen will win a World Series. That is a fact. All the recent
champions have had not just a great closer but a great core of relief
pitchers to set up that closer. Situational lefties, long inning relievers,
and set up men. I look at The Cincinnati Reds and I think they not only have
a great bullpen but an excellent one.
The game has changed over the years. Less complete games and more new terms
like "holds" and "saves" dominate our era. The legendary Sparky Anderson was
known as "Captain Hook" for his relentless and innovative dedication of
pulling a pitcher for a better situational reliever out of the bullpen. The
term "bull-pen" was used as early as the 1877 season in which The Cincinnati
Enquirer used the name to designate the area in foul territory that was
roped off for late arriving fans who were herded like bulls. The Reds of
Cincinnati have a few bulls of their own that will greatly impact the season
of 2011.
Through the trials and tribulations of spring training Dusty Baker must make
the cuts to determine his active roster of twenty-five ball players. He may
decide on 13 pitchers and 12 position players or he may go 12 pitchers and
13 position players. It all kind of depends on the health of his team at the
time. Does he want to have two catchers or three and so on. For the sake of
this article I, as fantasy manager, will go with 13 position players and 12
pitchers. With the customary five starting pitchers, I am left with seven
relievers. The following are my Bullpen roster spots and goals. I will begin
with my ending, the closer, and go reverse to my early arms out of Dust’s'
pen pals.
CLOSER
Francisco Cordero RHP: 2.48 ERA, 44 saves: Lofty goals that can be achieved
by a veteran closer in the last year of his contract. He had a sub par
season last year and has to improve those numbers for The Reds to have a
chance of a title. He fell behind in the count last year which led to some
walks and short finger nails for Red fans. With the loss of Arthur Rhodes to
free agency, Cordero is now the veteran leader of a very talented bunch of
Reds. Though he is the end of the line as far as a closer, he is the
beginning of this bullpens' success.
SET UP
Aroldis Chapman LHP: 2.25 ERA, 7 saves: Throw fire and breathe the same.
Scare the hell out of our opposition with the blazing fastball. "The Cuban
Missile" is the only reason we parted ways with the veteran lefty "Sir
Arthur." When I saw him come out of the pen last year it was electric. It
gave me goose bumps because he is our future. It helps that he can unleash a
fastball clocked at 105 mph at any time. If he can further enhance his grasp
of his ferocious arsenal the opposing batters need not worry about even
stepping in the batter's box. Don't even dig in because it could be a heater
or a 90+ change up or a slider that could break your knees. Expect way more
strike outs that innings pitched. Future Cy Young!
SET UP
Nick Masset RHP: 2.65 ERA, 8 saves: Another flame thrower just not as
extreme as the above. Had a horrible beginning last year but excelled down
the stretch and ended up being almost un-hittable. Has to gain control of
stuff but his slider is devastating. Our future closer depending on
Chapman's destination. His experience gained from last year plus a good
start will determine his excellence. A power arm. More knowledge of how and
when to throw strikes will determine his future role.
SET UP/SITUATIONAL
Logan Ondrusek RHP: 3.00 ERA, A couple of saves: Whether this six foot,
eight inch righty is dominating or not depends what he does this year. Could
also develop into a closer but needs to develop another pitch to his arsenal
first. 90+mph fastball and a slider but not much control. Intimidating
factor on the mound but needs to throw more strikes. Will be brought into
games earlier so he is the cornerstone of what this bullpen is to become.
Can probably play hoops.
SITUATIONAL
Bill Bray LHP: 3.65 ERA, 6-2 record: The classic crafty lefthander every
bullpen needs to get that other lefthander out. Not a lot of innings but
hopefully a lot of key outs. Good stuff just not dominating. Throws strikes
but also long balls. I like the high stirrups though.
LONG MAN
Sam LeCure RHP: 4.00 ERA, 7-4 record: You bring this guy in early when the
starter has had a bad outing. Can give innings. Spot started well last year.
Has a lot of heart but not a lot of stuff.
LONG MAN
Jordan Smith RHP: 4.35 ERA, 6-5 record: A younger version of the above. Did
show signs of possible starter last year. Possible starter next year.
WILDCARD
Dontrelle Willis LHP: Former all-star as a Florida Marlin has to make the
team in spring training.
WILDCARD
Jose Arredondo RHP: Recovering from "Tommy John" surgery but has bigger
upside than LeCure, Smith, and Willis. Spring training will tell a lot about
this pitcher's future but needs to be considered in this mix of a very deep
and talented bullpen.
The key back up position players next in this Robinson says, "You gotta know
this" segment...........4256
COMMENTS?
(Sorry about the screwed up
format. We are currently working on upgrading Robinson from Notepad and are
trying to get him to stop using the tab key.)
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