Open or Close?
My wife works as a manager for a tanning salon. She gets to experience the joy of working inside of retail. One of the issues she constantly battles is it better to open the store before 6am and get off early? Or is it better to go to work in the afternoon and close up around 11pm? Both opening and closing have their pros and cons.
The Rangers are facing a pretty similar situation with young phenom Neftali Feliz. Do they see him as a late inning guy to close out the game, or do you want him to start? Both options can be heavily debated, and I’m not sure there is a clear cut answer.
In 2009, Feliz pitched in 20 games in the majors with an ERA of 1.74. He threw a total of 31 innings games and had a remarkable 39 strikeouts. In 3 save opportunities he had 2 saves and 1 blown save. While up in the majors with the Rangers Feliz walked only 8 and gave up only 6 earned runs.
In 2010, the Rangers have a long list of candidates in the starting pitching pool. Neftali Feliz is expected to come into training trying to compete for a spot as a starter, but will more than likely end up back in the bullpen.
As a starter in AAA Feliz went 4-6 with an ERA of 3.49 pitching 77.1 innings through 25 games. He had a total of 75 strikeouts. The numbers don’t jump out at you but still prove to be pretty decent stats for a pitcher that is just 21 years of age.
Which role would you prefer to see Feliz in? Should he start or should he close? He will probably be effective in either role. Eventually the Rangers will probably have to decide or risk the chance of having what happened to Brandon Morrow with Seattle. He never had a clear identity and was shuffled back and forth before eventually being traded to the Blue Jays.
Adam Wainwright started out as a closer but he transitioned pretty nicely into the starting rotation.
I doubt the Rangers decide on bullpen or starter in the 2010 season but it should be interesting to see how Feliz’s career shapes up and which role the Rangers decide to put him in.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Say it ain’t so Fergie! Just read Ferguson Jenkins comments on steroids and Mark McGwire. Nuff said
mlblogsjoebrandonroberts
With the young arms these days throwing out their arms these days, i believe he is suited for the pen. leave him in there for a couple of seasons and then if its needed, bring him in the rotation. Right now, I think we need to stick with the starters we have and work with that. Nolan should make Feliz his project to make him a future ace of the Texas Rangers.
It might actually be a blessing in disguise for Feliz if they just pop him in the Bullpen for 2010, and give him a shot at Spring Training in 2011 for a rotation slot.
Nothing wrong with letting him get acclimated at this level and his confidence grow stronger.
Could end up being a nice “win-win” situation for everyone involved.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com