03-24-2025, 12:38 AM
(03-23-2025, 08:13 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/alexis-diaz-suffers-hamstring-injury-before-opening-day?msockid=3f23c3b31a766037055bd1381b0861f9
But I don't see Ashcraft as a closer. He's more of like a 6th/7th inning type.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/graham-ashcraft-aiming-to-be-reds-closer/ar-AA1BuTkA?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ASTS&cvid=9f8b5e061dc84261a00aa34079bdc6ec&ei=18
GA wants to be the closer? I like the bulldog attitude but at least he wants to earn it and has re-focused to his bullpen role. Too many bad memories of "AG" Amir Garrett being anointed the closers role. I think that a 'closer by committee' wouldn't be too bad for now. Mainly, because I haven't liked watching Diaz pitch in about a season and a half.
The article mentioned Rogers, Pagan and Barlow . . . pretty much based on being the most experienced. Well, MY EXPERIENCE of watching Pagan pitch is that I do NOT want to see him in the 9th unless it's finishing up a blowout. If the game is close/tied/save situation, I wouldn't mind a mix of Rogers, Barlow, Ashcraft and Goalpost's suggestion, Santillan.
Ashcraft is a year or two behind Santillan in the 'starter to bullpen' adjustment. However, Santillan did not finish the season strong with a 4.22 ERA in September. A 5.63 ERA in his last nine appearances took his season ERA from 2.05 to 3.00. But, I do like how Santillan doesn't seem to let a bad performance affect him. Diaz seemed to get rattled at times.
Only users lose drugs.
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