Sorry, I knew what he meant. I was satirizing SabanFan's dramatic conclusions when he said Oakland wasn't good so they must need a closer. I think he understood that. Trust me, I'm just trying to express a view and encourage critical thinking on the importance of a particular role.
Agreed. They have all signed with teams committed to winning and fielding balanced teams. Huston Street developed with the A's, so obviously they are interested in fielding a balanced team. However, when it came time to pay Huston, the team decided their money was spent better elsewhere, as Oakland is apt to do with closers.
Fair point. But keep in mind that Eck was used much differently than the 9th inning closers of today, he often pitched 2-3 innings to end a game, which means he was pitching through the crucial situations prior to the 9th.
Billy Beane, Bill James, and I agree with you. Two of those three opinions are worth something on the matter. A closer only matters when you have the lead. If starting and relief pitching aren't there an ace closer is worthless. If Ott can contribute somwhere else give him a whirl.
I was trying to salvage a deteriorating discussion. In reality, if you look back, the economics of baseball and the A's were far different. Eck was also used similar to how I would like our best relievers to be used. I'd be interested in seeing how many people agree with me. Though it doesn't matter, as I'm right anyway.
OK, we use Ott in the 5th now since that seems to be our weakness these days. who you gonna use in the 9th? Those guys currently giving up hits and runs in the 5th?
how is that different from the way they treat position players? um where do you get this Oakland doesn't believe in a closer bit? they have one. Andrew Bailey they don't pay him big money, but he's there, and used like a closer 56 appearances in the 9th (or later) 66 for Papelbon 65 for Rivera they in a position to win a few more games, he probably has a few more appearances in those situations. name the last World Series winning team to not have a good closer.
