Jinxing Koji Uehara

[ImSmartherThanYou]

Completely agree with you on closers. A good bullpen should have several guys capable of ending a game.(KC comes to mind quickly) To be honest, I dislike the "save" stat quite a bit. (That should come as no surprise). Ohhh Mitch Williams....

Not to mention, you as a Tiger fan should know just how insignificant the closer role ultimately is. You went to the World Series with Todd Jones closing games at an acceptable rate. That guy was nothing special at all, but he was a battle-tested vet who could convert those easy saves more often than not. That's all you need in your closer. A vet who won't crumble. Then, you use your best guys in the middle innings.

Then, last year, you had Valverde, who was an absolute gas can. Yet, the team still went to World Series, and their inability to win had *absolutely nothing* to do with Valverde. Now, the team is looking primed to make it back after a season of general instability at the closer role, and people foolishly questioning whether Benoit could handle it.

It's about having a deep, reliable bullpen unit, not one great guy at the end.

 

[steveringo]

Not to mention, you as a Tiger fan should know just how insignificant the closer role ultimately is. You went to the World Series with Todd Jones closing games at an acceptable rate. That guy was nothing special at all, but he was a battle-tested vet who could convert those easy saves more often than not. That's all you need in your closer. A vet who won't crumble. Then, you use your best guys in the middle innings.

Then, last year, you had Valverde, who was an absolute gas can. Yet, the team still went to World Series, and their inability to win had *absolutely nothing* to do with Valverde. Now, the team is looking primed to make it back after a season of general instability at the closer role, and people foolishly questioning whether Benoit could handle it.

It's about having a deep, reliable bullpen unit, not one great guy at the end.

The Sox have been doing it lately (since bard/papelbon).... It is no surprise that thay have allowed the most inherited runners to score this year. Their two Vets they had tabbed to "close" games went down and they were forced to use their best relievers to close the games. And since Miller wnet down, they don't have a reliable set-up reliever for the most important outs...

 

[redseat]

Melancon was one of those players that couldn't handle Boston (sim. Carl Crawford). Not sure if it that excuse is a crock, but in the majors last year he was awful and in AAA he was awesome. I am actually very glad he's doig so well in Pittsburgh.

I don't buy into that crap! You are "good enough" to play in the majors... suck it up and deal with it... period!

 

[redseat]

Didn't jinx him last night!

 

[Hambombs]

Melancon was one of those players that couldn't handle Boston (sim. Carl Crawford). Not sure if it that excuse is a crock, but in the majors last year he was awful and in AAA he was awesome. I am actually very glad he's doig so well in Pittsburgh.

I think saying stuff like " he couldn't handle this city" is kind of overblown IMO

 

[ImSmartherThanYou]

I think saying stuff like " he couldn't handle this city" is kind of overblown IMO

It's not so much about handling the city as it is handling the combination of the level of competition and the heightened emphasis on every game. Some guys just can't do NY and BOS, and I can't blame them. I imagine it's really annoying to be under constant pressure on the field plus the ridiculous and unprofessional media off the field. Look at Randy Johnson... a legend everywhere else, but couldn't handle NY and the expectations that came along with being the Yankees' #1 starter.

I also agree it's overblown, but it is a factor. There's too much history of guys who just didn't have the temperament.

 

[steveringo]

More from SI power ranking:

Boston Red Sox
On the last day of June, Koji Uehara allowed a solo homer to Toronto's Jose Bautista. These things happen. But it's notable because Uehara hasn't allowed an earned run in 28 1/3 innings since, during which time he has 36 strikeouts while allowing just eight hits and two walks. Opponents have a .087 average and a .106 OBP against him. Uehara's been so efficient that in only one of his 26 appearances has he thrown more than 20 pitches, when he needed only 21 to throw two innings.

Read More: Red Sox return to No. 1 for third time and look poised to stay there - MLB - Joe Lemire - SI.com​

 

[Hambombs]

It's not so much about handling the city as it is handling the combination of the level of competition and the heightened emphasis on every game. Some guys just can't do NY and BOS, and I can't blame them. I imagine it's really annoying to be under constant pressure on the field plus the ridiculous and unprofessional media off the field. Look at Randy Johnson... a legend everywhere else, but couldn't handle NY and the expectations that came along with being the Yankees' #1 starter.

I also agree it's overblown, but it is a factor. There's too much history of guys who just didn't have the temperament.

C'mon now randy Johnson was in his 40s do you honestly expect him to be Cy young worthy ??? Also that is overblown too I might add. Some dudes just have down years

 

[Hambombs]

He was 42 when he signed with the yanks. It's obvious he was at the end of his career

 

[ImSmartherThanYou]

C'mon now randy Johnson was in his 40s do you honestly expect him to be Cy young worthy ??? Also that is overblown too I might add. Some dudes just have down years

Johnson should have won the Cy Young in 2004, and was still a dominant pitcher. So yes, that's what I was expecting. He was very good in 2005, but he certainly took a huge step back, and then was downright awful in 2006. He also pitched like shit in the playoffs both seasons, and it's no secret that he couldn't stand the media.

 

[ImSmartherThanYou]

He was 42 when he signed with the yanks. It's obvious he was at the end of his career

Actually, he had just turned 41 when they traded for him (not signed). But still, why was he the best pitcher in the NL in 2004 at the age of 40 if age was such a big factor?

I'm not saying age didn't play into his decline, but it certainly isn't the only explanation, and he didn't handle the entire situation well.

 

[Hambombs]

Johnson should have won the Cy Young in 2004, and was still a dominant pitcher. So yes, that's what I was expecting. He was very good in 2005, but he certainly took a huge step back, and then was downright awful in 2006. He also pitched like shit in the playoffs both seasons, and it's no secret that he couldn't stand the media.

Actually, he had just turned 41 when they traded for him (not signed). But still, why was he the best pitcher in the NL in 2004 at the age of 40 if age was such a big factor?

I'm not saying age didn't play into his decline, but it certainly isn't the only explanation, and he didn't handle the entire situation well.

Well look at 2003 he was declining at that time and had a bounce back season in 2004. I think he was just beginning to decline in the beginning of 2003. I don't think it was New York itself that's nonsense. You think pedro couldn't take the pressure of playing for the mets when he was on the Red Sox? C'mon now lol

 

[ImSmartherThanYou]

Well look at 2003 he was declining at that time and had a bounce back season in 2004. I think he was just beginning to decline in the beginning of 2003. I don't think it was New York itself that's nonsense. You think pedro couldn't take the pressure of playing for the mets when he was on the Red Sox? C'mon now lol

He wasn't declining in 2003, he was injured.

It's not New York itself. I never said that. It's the combination of the heightened competition (ALE>>>>>>NLW in the mid-00s), and the constant media attention (when it's well-established that Johnson is an introverted, quiet guy). It can become a distraction and affect performance.

And I don't see how Pedro is relevant, since Boston is equally if not more of a pain in the ass than NY.

 

[Brahmsian]

The man's 38 years old and had never been a closer before.

At that age he's not going to have the stamina to be a starter, and the Red Sox
needed a closer. Not to mention that this year they have a former pitching coach
managing them. John Farrell knows enough about pitching to have no need of worrying
about how unorthodox his moves may be.

 

[steveringo]

From the I-didn't-write-it files...

Koji Uehara has had two consecutive scoreless months. He's one-third of the way through another. He's retired the last 31 batters he's faced. If this keeps up, doesn't he have to start deserving consideration for a major award -- and I'm talking about one more prestigious than being the Red Sox 10th Player honoree. He's having arguably the greatest season a relief pitcher has ever had, one very similar to Dennis Eckersley's 1990 season, when he had a 0.61 ERA, a 0.614 WHIP, and finished fifth in the MVP balloting and sixth in the Cy Young voting. I'd be surprised if Uehara gets similar consideration, but he sure does deserve some significant accolade for all that he has done for the American Leagues' winningest team

Is this the first Koji & Cy have been mentioned??


He hasn't cracked ESPN's predictor:
2013 MLB Baseball Cy Young Predictor - Major League Baseball - ESPN

 

[da55bums]

If Kimbrel couldn't do it last year (better year last year AND this year) and doesn't do it this year....which he WON'T over Kershaw..then no, he doesn't need to be considered, at all.....A. Sanchez would get it if you want to give it to players without enough time to be considered.

 

[broncosmitty]

Not to mention, you as a Tiger fan should know just how insignificant the closer role ultimately is. You went to the World Series with Todd Jones closing games at an acceptable rate. That guy was nothing special at all, but he was a battle-tested vet who could convert those easy saves more often than not. That's all you need in your closer. A vet who won't crumble. Then, you use your best guys in the middle innings.

Then, last year, you had Valverde, who was an absolute gas can. Yet, the team still went to World Series, and their inability to win had *absolutely nothing* to do with Valverde. Now, the team is looking primed to make it back after a season of general instability at the closer role, and people foolishly questioning whether Benoit could handle it.

It's about having a deep, reliable bullpen unit, not one great guy at the end.

Funny thing about Jones, as unimpressive as he was, Jason Grilli was the one we had to worry about. He was about as far from popular as one could be. He did everything he could against the As to keep the Tigers out of the World Series. Huston Street, a supossed big time closer, (if i remember right) kept the As out instead. But that's one of those things with relievers. No matter the amount of wear in the tread, it's only an inning that you're looking for. Or less if you're a lefty, in general. Lots of failed starters can become vital parts of a solid bullpen. AAAA guys can be big contributors. Definitely doesn't need to be a headliner.

 

[Brahmsian]

Uehara racked up another scoreless inning today.

It wasn't a save situation since the game was tied when he came in, but
he did what was needed.

My Red Sox won it in 10, FYI.

 

[steveringo]

Uehara's statistics seem like Bernard Malamud fiction at this point. He has retired 34 in a row. The last runner to reach base on Uehara was Lyle Overbay on Aug. 17. In his last 26 appearances, Uehara has thrown 29 1/3 scoreless innings and put seven runners on base. Opponents are 6 for 94 against him in those 29 1/3 innings.

Uehara's streak of batters retired is the longest in team history. Ellis Kinder had the old record of 32 in 1952. His scoreless innings streak is the longest for a Sox reliever since Dick Radatz went 33 innings in 1963. The 26 consecutive appearances without a run are a team record. Daniel Bard had the old record of 25 in 2011.

'Remarkable' Mike Carp gives Red Sox another late win - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Since his last Earned Run in June (yes, June), he has tossed 32.2 innings, given up 8 hits, struck out 44, and walked 2.... That is a 0.00 ERA, 0.30 WHIP, .074 BAA... Out of 107 batters faced, 10 have reached base.... During that span, he has only thrown 412 pitches. 12.6 per inning pitched....

 

[ImSmartherThanYou]

If Kimbrel couldn't do it last year (better year last year AND this year) and doesn't do it this year....which he WON'T over Kershaw..then no, he doesn't need to be considered, at all.....A. Sanchez would get it if you want to give it to players without enough time to be considered.

Well, for starters, let me just say that Craig Kimbrel is the best relief pitcher in baseball at this point.

Secondly, a one-inning closer should NEVER win the Cy Young Award.

Third, I don't see how Kimbrel's standing in the Cy Young voting has anything to do with Uehara's. They're in different leagues and are competing with different pitchers for the award. The AL doesn't have a pitcher pitching like Clayton Kershaw this year, or like Kershaw or Dickey last year.

Finally, I don't see how you could possibly say that Kimbrel has been better than Uehara this year. In 2012? Yes. But not this year.

Kimbrel, 2013: 59.2 IP, 430 ERA+, 0.838 WHIP, 13.1 K/9, 5.12 K/BB, .159 BAA, .470 OPSA, 36 SD/4 MD, 3 inherited runners, 33% IRS
Uehara, 2013: 66.2 IP, 386 ERA+, 0.570 WHIP, 12.6 K/9, 10.33 K/BB, .128 BAA, .398 OPSA, 33 SD/5 MD, 22 inherited runners, 32% IRS