Comparison shopping for a closer
November, 25, 2011
11/25/11
11:36
AM ET
By
Gordon Edes | ESPNBoston.com
BOSTON -- What better time than Black Friday to do a little comparison shopping, in this case for a closer? That’s on the top of Ben Cherington’s shopping list, now that Bobby Valentine is in a fitting room, being sized for a new uniform in which to manage the Red Sox.
With the help of Bill James’ 2012 Baseball Handbook and Fangraphs.com, a treasure lode of numbers, we have assembled some of the pertinent stats that offer some insight to the relative strengths and weaknesses of the closer market. We include the departed Jonathan Papelbon, for purposes of comparison.
Which option do you think is best for the Red Sox? Vote in the poll above or leave your thoughts in the comments section.
LAST SEASON'S CLOSER
| Player | Back-to-back games pitched | Inherited runners scored | Clean outings | Save/hold % | OPS vs. | Relief ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Papelbon |  | 15 | 3 of 10 (30%) | 47 of 63 (75%) | 91% | .546 | 2.94 |
IN-HOUSE CANDIDATE
| Player | Back-to-back games pitched | Inherited runners scored | Clean outings | Save/hold % | OPS vs. | Relief ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Bard |  | 22 | 5 of 34 (15%) | 53 of 70 (76%) | 88% | .546 | 3.33 |
TRADE POSSIBILITIES
| Player | Back-to-back games pitched | Inherited runners scored | Clean outings | Save/hold % | OPS vs. | Relief ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huston Street |  | 17 | 3 of 5 (60%) | 43 of 62 (83%) | 89% | .781 | 3.86 |
| Brandon League |  | 18 | 4 of 8 (50%) | 50 of 65 (77%) | 88% | .601 | 2.79 |
| Andrew Bailey |  | 9 | 1 of 3 (33%) | 29 of 42 (69%) | 93% | .631 | 3.24 |
| Joakim Soria |  | 14 | 5 of 10 (50%) | 44 of 60 (73%) | 80% | .709 | 4.03 |
FREE-AGENT POSSIBILITIES
| Player | Back-to-back games pitched | Inherited runners scored | Clean outings | Save/hold % | OPS vs. | Relief ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Madson |  | 22 | 4 of 8 (50%) | 52 of 62 (84%) | 95% | .593 | 2.37 |
| Brad Lidge |  | 4 | 1 of 8 (13%) | 21 of 25 (84%) | 100% | .635 | 1.40 |
| Heath Bell |  | 19 | 1 of 10 (10%) | 51 of 64 (80%) | 90% | .588 | 2.44 |
| Matt Capps |  | 19 | 9 of 34 (26%) | 46 of 69 (67%) | 71% | .726 | 4.25 |
| >Francisco Rodriguez |  | 15 | 2 of 13 (15%) | 33 of 42 (79%) | 88% | .727 | 3.16 |
| Francisco Cordero |  | 21 | 2 of 2 (100%) | 53 of 68 (78%) | 86% | .591 | 2.45 |
| > Mets stats as closer | |||||||
Gordon Edes
Red Sox reporter, ESPNBoston.com- Has covered Red Sox for 15 years
- Award-winning beat reporter
- Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
With a ticket stub//RT @jsilva982: @RedSox @GordonEdes what if you left game 1? Can you still exchange at gate E for game 2? Thanks.
11 minutes ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Tazawa enters for 6th; Aceves pitcher of record 5 IP 3 H 1 ER 3 B 2 K's. 75 pitches, 43 for strikes. 1 ER in all 3 of his emergency starts.
12 minutes ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Again, people with Game 1 tix who want to go to Game 2 are advised to go to Gate E for tickets to Game 2, on the house
14 minutes ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Official time of delay: 2:59
15 minutes ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
As we were saying....Three hours later, Salty steps in with bases loaded, two outs
16 minutes ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Does that kill my radio appearance? :)RT @davewills34: Today's game is expected to resume at 5:55... #Rays
47 minutes ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
5:55 resume time
47 minutes ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
RT @RedSox: In addition, fans holding tickets for Game 1 can attend Game 2 free of charge. They can exchange tickets @ Gate E window #Fenwa…
53 minutes ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Sox announcing Game 1 to resume late this afternoon, Game 2 to folo within 35 minutes. People with Game 1 tix are invited to stay for Game 2
54 minutes ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Mike Carp's power shows through http://t.co/1WcOIhTBbs
about 19 hours ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
RT @ScottLauber: Alfredo Aceves will start for #RedSox in Game 1 of tomorrow's doubleheader vs. Rays. Felix Doubront will start Game 2
1 day ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Sox shortage at first looks temporary http://t.co/UnYJ1Kulha
1 day ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Jon Lester not shaken by slump http://t.co/YdBlB9Z8oX
1 day ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Rapid Reaction: Orioles 6, Red Sox 3 http://t.co/il4PUfu9SJ
2 days ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
tight right hamstring for Carp, according to Sox
2 days ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
12th infield hit of season for Iglesias, extends hitting streak to 17 games
2 days ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Victorino, who ran for Carp, stays in game in right. Nava moves from right to first base. Tazawa pitching
2 days ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Did he need that, or what? Middlebrooks' first HR since 5/19 Part of that time on DL, of course.
2 days ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
Carp comes out, leg issue
2 days ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
RT @TimBritton: Beato coming in. The perplexing final line on Lester: 5IP, 9H, 5ER, 0BB, 8K, HR, 106-75, 20 swing-and-misses (!).
2 days ago
- GordonEdes Gordon Edes
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Gordon Edes
Gordon Edes, who joined ESPNBoston.com in Nov. 2009, has covered MLB for more than 25 years. He spent 12 years covering the Sox for the Globe. Ask a question for his next mailbag. Follow him on Twitter here.
Joe McDonald
Joe McDonald, a native Rhode Islander, joined ESPNBoston.com as a Bruins and Red Sox reporter in February 2010. He has worked at the Providence Journal since 1992, covering the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, PawSox and Providence Bruins over the past nine years. Follow him on Twitter here.
Jeremy Lundblad
Jeremy Lundblad is a senior researcher with ESPN Stats & Information. He provides statistical analysis for ESPNBoston.com and will post here frequently during the season. Follow him on Twitter here.
Steven Krasner
Steven Krasner, a Rhode Island native, has been a Red Sox contributor for ESPNBoston.com since June, 2010. He also covered the Red Sox for 22 years at the Providence Journal. He conducts interactive classroom and Skype writing workshops and has authored several children's baseball books.
Mike Andrews
Mike Andrews is designer and developer of SoxProspects.com and a special contributor to ESPNBoston.com. He writes a weekly column on Red Sox prospects.
UPCOMING GAMES
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAM | 36-33 | 21-16 | 15-17 | L1 | |
| BOS | 42-29 | 21-14 | 21-15 | L1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAM | 36-33 | 21-16 | 15-17 | L1 | |
| BOS | 42-29 | 21-14 | 21-15 | L1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAM | 36-33 | 21-16 | 15-17 | L1 | |
| BOS | 42-29 | 21-14 | 21-15 | L1 |
You must be signed in to post a comment