Hernandez or Putz - who should close?

[Dback Jon]

JJ Putz is off the DL.

Does he get his job back?

 

[JS22]

You give the job back to Putz. He was dominate until his injury. If he falters again then give the job to Hernandez. But if he's fully healthy he should be fine. Though I'd let Hernandez save about 20% of the games from here on out just to keep Putz fresh.

 

[AZ Native]

Putz was right there with Wilson until he got hurt. No brainer.

 

[Bert]

I give it back to Putz, he earned it before his injury.

But he has a short leash.

 

[Nasser22]

Putz, with a short leash as already mentioned. I have confidence in both these guys, and you need to show your players that they won't lose their jobs over things that they can't control. That's one easy way you keep your players respect and confidence. Easy choice..

 

[Gaddabout]

Putz was trying to play through an injury when things went bad for him. I admire that, especially from an older veteran. That's a guy you want going to war with you in September.

 

[TJ]

Truth be told, I dont mind either coming out in the 9th, but Putz should get it back. However, the mere fact we are discussing this in a positive light shows how far improved our bullpen is from last season.

Good problem to have

 

[Dback Jon]

Looks like it is Putz.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Looks like it is Putz.

As it should be... I'm a big fan of Hernandez. We are certainly very lucky to have snagged him! He's got dominate closer written all over him... However, he'll need to play his set-up role until such time that JJ shows he can no longer hold down the closer role. Hernandez's time will come. And when it does, I think he'll be lights out!

 

[devilalum]

Hernandez has better stuff. Even when Putz was on a roll he was never as dominant as Hernandez has been lately, something like 10 straight innings without a single HIT!

That being said this is the kind of problem managers dream about having. If your starters and crap bullpen can get you to the 8th its game over.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Hernandez has better stuff. Even when Putz was on a roll he was never as dominant as Hernandez has been lately, something like 10 straight innings without a single HIT!

That being said this is the kind of problem managers dream about having. If your starters and crap bullpen can get you to the 8th its game over.

Yup... our 7th inning guys can use an upgrade - but, in reality, if we have a more legit offense, they would be plenty good enough.

Last nite provided yet another example of what continues to be a huge weakness for this team. Runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and once again, we couldn't push a guy over the plate... The amount of pressure that applies to our pitchers is immense. By all rights, last night should not have been a one-run game.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Yup... our 7th inning guys can use an upgrade - but, in reality, if we have a more legit offense, they would be plenty good enough.

Last nite provided yet another example of what continues to be a huge weakness for this team. Runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and once again, we couldn't push a guy over the plate... The amount of pressure that applies to our pitchers is immense. By all rights, last night should not have been a one-run game.

And the beat goes on... runner on 2nd today, nobody out and couldn't scratch out a run. That same inning, runners on 2nd & 3rd with two out, and zilcho....
This will be the death of this season.

 

[BC867]

And the beat goes on... runner on 2nd today, nobody out and couldn't scratch out a run. That same inning, runners on 2nd & 3rd with two out, and zilcho....
This will be the death of this season.

Live by swinging for the fences, die by swinging for the fences.

It's American League baseball. I've never liked it.

As I said in another post, I like Gibson's fire. I like his enthusiasm.

But the bulk of his career was spent in the American League.

Then again, most of Bob Brenly's time was spent in the NL, but his teams were also the kings of the popups. I once posted a photo of Steve Finley staring straight up after hitting a ball. It was a foul ball that was caught three feet behind home plate. Three feet from home plate! But it sure traveled a lot of feet up and down.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Live by swinging for the fences, die by swinging for the fences.

It's American League baseball. I've never liked it.

As I said in another post, I like Gibson's fire. I like his enthusiasm.

But the bulk of his career was spent in the American League.

Then again, most of Bob Brenly's time was spent in the NL, but his teams were also the kings of the popups. I once posted a photo of Steve Finley staring straight up after hitting a ball. It was a foul ball that was caught three feet behind home plate. Three feet from home plate! But it sure traveled a lot of feet up and down.

Meh... we just don't have the horses... Johnson went 0 for 4 with 3 K's and remains under .220 for the season. We get nothing out of First Base. Nothing from 3rd base. Nothing from Left Field. And don't get me started on CY...