Community Discussion: How Would You Replace Joakim Soria?

Would be Addison Reed, but he had an americano or two late for the White Sox. I think Trevor Bauer is an intriguing choice, but I’ll go with the straight power arm.

Gonna have to go with tanner scheppers here.

because closers (or closer type arms) are overvalued and expensive. Since that’s not the point of the thread though, I’ll play along. Bryan Morris would be interesting. The only piece remaining from the Jason Bay trade, Morris is a former 1st rounder and has essentially been a starter his entire career. After struggling at the start of last year, he was moved to the bullpen and put up a 2.05 ERA in 52.2 innings with 8 K/9. He gave up only 2 HRs all season and was lights out down the stretch. Right around the trade deadline one scout (I can’t find the link) said Morris would be the best option in the organization if the team needed immediate bullpen help.

Just keep throwing that fastball kid

He might walk 3 before closing it out, but as a power lefty in the Aroldis/Moore mold, he is dictating the action. If he’s on, doesn’t matter who’s up.

Love the thread, but I’d also love peoples’ perspectives on what the Royals should ACTUALLY do? Do they go with Broxton and hope he holds up? Let Holland try his hand in the role? He looked great last year. Curious what John thinks about his substantial drop in WHIP vs his ML numbers…love the strikeout rate….he could surprise if he gets the chance. Any other in-house candidates?

I’d take Bauer’s former teammate, Gerrit Cole. He lacks consistency, but that wouldn’t matter as much as a closer.

an interesting idea…

Stetson Allie. Nasty fastball/slider combo and you could just scare the crap out of everyone.

Hit 9 of the batters he faced in 26 innings last year. I really do feel sorry for whoever was in the New York-Penn League last year.

More realistically, I’ll agree with Carlos Martinez

big kid (6’7"), good arm w/ closer potential and stuff.

One big thing — he COULD be ready right now.

It’s easy to pick some elite SP prospects who haven’t made it to the majors yet, like Bauer, Cole, Bundy, Miller, Martinez, etc.

If you’re guaranteeing he’ll be healthy and want no big league experience, I’d consider Matt West. He’s only pitched in low A, but he has good control of elite closer stuff.

As I mentioned above Cole would be my choice, but I could see Noah doing well. He is already wowing the scouts in the Jays minor league camp.

I trust him to keep composed after watching his clutch CWS performance. Doesn’t have classic closer stuff, but I’d feel good handing him the ball all year if I had to.

Just for variety’s sake; don’t much much about the ‘lil righty, other than his unholy strikeout rates for the last two years (13 per 9 last year, 15 per 9 in 2010, with acceptable free pass ratios), and he’s already accustomed to bullpen usage patterns.

I know you said “guaranteed good health,” John…but a trained reliever might be a bit more effective in his familiar role.

Chen Lee - 25 funky delivery commands his pitches well gets K’s too, lacks durability maybe but he’s guarenteed healthy and I think he could handle it well

something about him just SCREAMS “closer” to me.

Just so he can get a shot in the majors.