Need a new closer AND a new manager

[chewb0nga]

He won't oust him. He'll talk about how Tommy had to face the heart of the number one offensive in baseball, but in all honesty we can see beyond that loyalty and he can't. We need a kick ass CLOSER so bad. JJ 2012 badass.

We would've been a contender last year if even half the blown saves JJ or Strop blew were saved. We're a pitching, defense, solid bullpen, and timely hitting kind of ball club and their are going to be MANY close games. We need someone dependable and quick.

[O's84]

He won't oust him. He'll talk about how Tommy had to face the heart of the number one offensive in baseball, but in all honesty we can see beyond that loyalty and he can't. We need a kick ass CLOSER so bad. JJ 2012 badass.

We would've been a contender last year if even half the blown saves JJ or Strop blew were saved. We're a pitching, defense, solid bullpen, and timely hitting kind of ball club and their are going to be MANY close games. We need someone dependable and quick.

And I would say that Hunter's own fault. The 3 hitters due up were 8-9-1 hitters for DET. It got to Hunter and MCab cause Hunter pitched poorly.

[chewb0nga]

I know. I had a feeling this would happen. We have a stacked lineup, a killer bullpen, and a defense that saves at least a run or two a game, but after the one Balfour incident, we never got our closer. Tommy is just not the guy. Real hard fastball that is easy for the hitter to see with little movement and a curveball dropper that he doesn't throw too often for strikes. Lots of control issues.

Seems like he's always sweating and having the worst time out there. He's not horrible, but closers, on a team in the AL East, are immensely important. We saw that two years ago before JJ crapped the bed. Every game is a battle, so why blow it at the end?

Also why can't we match up in the 9th. We have a lefty hitter coming up to start in the bottom of the 9th, then bring in Matusz. Who cares about the traditional closer role and the save "stat". That's just an incentive for bullpen guys to hope make 10 per one year. Bring in three guys for three different bats and go by numbers, because they usually don't lie.

Makes me wish we still had Koji, but obviously that worked out for the better for us.

[DrungoHazewood]

In game stategery is a small part of a manger's job.

Buck is great at the other stuff.

And he isn't bad at the in-game stuff. All fanbases think their manager is a D- at managing the pitching staff.

[Redskins Rick]

And he isn't bad at the in-game stuff. All fanbases think their manager is a D- at managing the pitching staff.

That was Tony LaRussa's big knock against him, and he was supposed to be one of the best managers of all times

[MdSooner]

in Buck's previous jobs he's gotten his teams to a certain point and then he is replaced and the team goes to the next level under another manager.

This. We would not be where we are without Buck. But we won't get to the next level with him OR Angelos tight belt

IMHO

[weams]

This. We would not be where we are without Buck. But we won't get to the next level with him OR Angelos tight belt

IMHO

Buck can get to the next level. And he will. With us.

[Redskins Rick]

This. We would not be where we are without Buck. But we won't get to the next level with him OR Angelos tight belt

IMHO

I am not an Angelos apologist, I used to be an Angelos hater.

But, you can't call him a tight belt, not with the current payroll of this team.

[DrungoHazewood]

I am not an Angelos apologist, I used to be an Angelos hater.

But, you can't call him a tight belt, not with the current payroll of this team.

Pretty sure they have a smaller inflation-adjusted payroll today than in 1998. Zero real payroll growth in 15+ years.

[Redskins Rick]

Pretty sure they have a smaller inflation-adjusted payroll today than in 1998. Zero real payroll growth in 15+ years.

Just because they spent the money, means it was well spent.

Where would you propose the payroll be at?

in 1998 they were the big spenders, before the luxury tax.

[h=2]1998 Team Payrolls[/h]

Team - Payroll - Average</pre>

Baltimore: $71,860,921 - $2,566,481N.Y. Yankees: 65,663,698 - 2,188,790Los Angeles: 62,806,667 - 1,903,232Atlanta: 61,708,000 - 1,990,516Texas: 60,519,595 - 2,086,883Cleveland: 59,543,165 - 1,860,724Boston: 59,497,000 - 1,652,694N.Y. Mets: 58,660,665 - 1,955,356San Diego: 53,066,166 - 1,894,863Chicago Cubs: 49,816,000 - 1,717,793San Francisco: 48,514,715 - 1,732,668Anaheim: 48,389,000 - 1,466,333Houston: 48,304,000 - 1,558,194Colorado: 47,714,648 - 1,704,095St. Louis: 44,090854 - 1,674,673Seattle: 43,698,136 - 1,506,832Kansas City: 35,610,000 - 1,047,353Chicago White Sox: 35,180,000 - 1,407,200Toronto: 34,158,500 - 1,313,788Milwaukee: 31,897,903 - 996,809Arizona: 31,614,500 - 1,090,155 Philadelphia: 28,622,500 - 954,083Tampa Bay: 27,370,000 - 829,394Minnesota: 24,527,500 - 943,365Oakland: 22,463,500 - 774,603Cincinnati: 20,707,333 - 714,046Detroit: 19,237,500 - 712,500Florida: 15,141,000 - 458,818Pittsburgh: 13,695,000 - 458,500Montreal: 8,317,000 - 297,0542014 TeamPayroll1. Los Angeles Dodgers$235,295,2192. New York Yankees$203,812,5063. Philadelphia Phillies$180,052,7234. Boston Red Sox$162,817,4115. Detroit Tigers$162,228,5276. Los Angeles Angels$155,692,0007. San Francisco Giants$154,185,8788. Texas Rangers$136,036,1729. Washington Nationals$134,704,43710. Toronto Blue Jays$132,628,70011. Arizona Diamondbacks$112,688,66612. Cincinnati Reds$112,390,77213. St. Louis Cardinals$111,020,36014. Atlanta Braves$110,897,34115. Baltimore Orioles$107,406,62316. Milwaukee Brewers$103,844,80617. Colorado Rockies$95,832,07118. Seattle Mariners$92,081,94319. Kansas City Royals$92,034,34520. Chicago White Sox$91,159,25421. San Diego Padres$90,094,19622. New York Mets$89,051,75823. Chicago Cubs$89,007,85724. Minnesota Twins$85,776,50025. Oakland Athletics$83,401,40026. Cleveland Indians$82,534,80027. Pittsburgh Pirates$78,111,66728. Tampa Bay Rays$77,062,89129. Miami Marlins$47,565,40030. Houston Astros$44,544,174

</pre>

[BobbyWoontz]

Makes me wish we still had Koji, but obviously that worked out for the better for us.

All Koji did was throw strikes and hardly walked anyone. Apparently it wasn't good enough to be the O's closer.

[Redskins Rick]

All Koji did was throw strikes and hardly walked anyone. Apparently it wasn't good enough to be the O's closer.

When Koji was available they had a solid closer who lead the league in saves, it wasn't a need. Hindsight is always 20-20.

[DrungoHazewood]

When Koji was available they had a solid closer who lead the league in saves, it wasn't a need. Hindsight is always 20-20.

I'll argue that signing Koji at the time, given his price, injuries, age, and the Orioles' needs, was irresponsible.

[LookitsPuck]

Lost in all the hub-bub of Hunter completely melting down is Tommy Hunter's walk rate. After last night it is at 3. It hasn't been that high since 2009 (2.7). His 3.0 BB/9 is double what it was last year.

[Redskins Rick]

Lost in all the hub-bub of Hunter completely melting down is Tommy Hunter's walk rate. After last night it is at 3. It hasn't been that high since 2009 (2.7). His 3.0 BB/9 is double what it was last year.

Maybe he is trying too hard to make the perfect pitch, and maybe setup man is a better role for him?