Best Closer in Baseball?
397130
So far. Do you think he'll be a closer all season or will he become a set-up man or a started when Keith Foulkes is healthy?\n\nBilly Wagner is still the guy I would most like to hafve on my team. I think 2 others I would give strong consideration to are Francisco Rodriguez & Bob Wickman.\n\n\n\n\nMariano Rivera - greatest closer of all time? I disagree. He's certainly in the top 10 but how about Sparky Lyle? Rollie Fingers? Dennis Eckersley (the guy LaRussa invented the position for)? Or maybe Goose Gossage, Lee Smith or Bruce Sutter? I agree that Rivera was good but he didn't have a long enough career to be great - for 4 years, unstoppable. Rest of his career, good but not great.
413283
if youre talking about speed on the pitches, i would say Brad Penny cuz he can throw mid 90s. but if youre talking about speed as a base runner i would say jae seo. Seo outran Chris Duffy to first base on his weak groundout.
1017553
Well let me see if i can narrow it down.For catching it is hands down Jason Varitek,by far the best catcher and captain of ALL time,for pitching I have ALOT,but i think I will give the title to Jonathan Papelbon.He is not only the best closer(besides Foulky and Timlin),but he is the best rookie:)for infield i am really starting to like Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis[poor Youk,he keeps getting hit:(],for outfield i guess i will have to say....Manny Ramirez.don't get me wrong i absolutely LOOOOVE all of the players,but there is just something about Manny:)and last but definitely not least for DH i am going to say Big Papi(and not because he is the only one,but because he is the BEST!!!!!!!!:)
767904
It seems like Gagne, but after all the injuries, i don´t know if he really is the best alternative.\n\nKeith Fulke was great in 2004. But then, he was atacked by tue injury bug. Maybe, an option like Gagne.\nDustin Hermanson can be a closer or a set up. He is a good pitcher.\nTroy Percival is another closer with the bug injury attached. But for less than a million a season, every team should take the risk.\nJ.C. Romero was great with the Twinkies and so/so with the Angels, but is young and some teams should be looking for him.\nOctavio Dotel was a closer in Oakland and a set up man in Houston, but with the Yankees he sucked. Is an alternative, more than a year after his Tommy John operation.\nRon Villone was lights out with the Yanks last season, until Torre burn his arm. Is another good reliever ready to set up.\nEddie Guardado from the Reds had good seasons with the Twins, but regulars with the Mariners and Reds. Is a good option, iif he goes cheap.\nDanys Baez is a good pitcher, but i think he signed with the Orioles.\nMike de Jean was very good with the Brewers a couple years ago. Last year he was so/so with the Rockies. Can be cheap and helpfull.\nJoe Borowski is an eternal loser with 2 good last seasons with the Marlins.But he´s going to suck in other place. It´s better for him to be resigned.\nDan Kolb was great with the Brewers 3 years ago, but then, he was traded to the Braves and he sucks since that. Maybe a change of scenary can help him.\n\nAnd that´s it folks.
363322
American: Red Sox or Angels\n\nTheir starting rotation is good and Papelbon is the real deal as a closer. The Angels have balanced starting, middle and closing talent.\n\nNational: Houston\n\nThey have the best balance (even without Clemens) and their starters have been good early on. The Mets have too many questions in the starting rotation, but Wagner is amongst the best closers ever.
324006
I have different opinions.  J.J Putz could become Mariner's closer soon.  He is posting 1 W, 2 SV, 3.18 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 19 K, 2 BB in 11 innings.  Compare to Eddie Guardado, his stats is much better (although manager Mike Hargrove said Eddie is still the closer).  Someone who is looking for closer would like to get JJ, maybe with a good deal.\n\nJacobs is another story.  People have a lot of expectaion on him, but all coaches know he is really bad with left-hand pitchers (.133 this season).  And he is not in a good team to give him R and RBI support either.\n\nSo I think you can get better players for JJ Putz.  FYI.
690815
I think Jose Reyes has the best chance.  He's young and his legs are fresh plus he'll have many chances to do it with his young age.  My darkhorse pick would have to be Chone Figgins.
676754
smoltz and kent are already in. smoltz has better credentials than dennis eckersly(both were great starters and closers) whose already in. kent is already all-time leader in hr by 2nd basemen. other than that i agree with your list.
614336
My pick: Edwin Encarnacion\n\nEdwin has the huge benefit of hitting in the "Great American Ballpark" which should help boost his HR, and essentially RBI numbers. Edwin also has a more potent lineup to hit with.\n\nHowever, Conor will probably put up the higher avg. in the end though.
354209
i might say derek jeter
1152531
Any Braves closer right now. Our pitching staff sucks and we aren't even going to win our Eastern Division title this year........I am so disappointed.  I just want my old team back.  Why did they have to get rid of Furcal, Maddox, Glavine....to name a few?
1032737
Ray has been more consistent, so the closer role is his at present.  Reitsma may have some value as a middle reliever.  If the Braves fall off the pace in the East, Reitsma may be shipped elsewhere for a young prospect.
566482
Huston Street.  Duchscherer has been in A's for four years, but last year Houston Street was still promoted to be the closer.  Street is also more powerful and dominate in the game, when he is healthy.
417439
I'd definitely be on the look-out for a replacement for Loaiza... If he keeps pitching (if he is allowed to by the A's) like he has been, any one of those pitchers you mentioned might be the better option this year...
559230
I'd have to go with A-Rod at the moment. His stats are similer to Pujos but A-rod plays a slightly more demanding defensive posisiton. A close second is Pujos. \n\nFor the season that's close. Pujos, Berkman, Swisher, Hafner and Thome are having really good years. Nobody is really just taking the year by storm yet. Several other players with a hot streak could be right up there with this group. \n\nJose Contraras on the other hand is having a monster year so far. 5-0 with a 1.41 ERA. Webb is next closest with 6-0 2.30 ERA. \n\nSo best player this season I'd hand it to Contraras so far.
1111610
Hank Aaron Or Joe Dimmagio
491962
I would have to either go with Andruw Jones or Chip, Chip, Chipper... Both have consistantly performed through out the duration of their career.  So my answer is most definitly John Smoltz.  Hes been a been around forever, and still is a killer pitcher.  He has changed his style to fit the improvement of hitters, and has been one hell of a gunslinger.  No question.