Idea: Jesse Crain for 2011 closer

silverhill27 · Post #1 » by **silverhill27** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 5:08 pm

Currently a type B free agent so we don't lose picks. Toronto born, filthy 95+mph fastball and breaking stuff, what's not to like? Would probably sign for cheap for a chance to close in his hometown. The Twins probably won't resign him due to their amazing bullpen depth. He's never really been given a chance to close due to Joe Nathan, Rauch, Guerrier and now Capps. Obviously we would not pick up Gregg's 4.5 million option.

Projected 2011 bullpen

lr rhp shawn camp
lr lhp marc rzepczynski (or tallet if he stays)
mr rhp casey janssen
mr lhp jesse carlson
su rhp josh roenicke
su lhp david purcey
cl rhp jesse crain

L3M0NAD3 · Post #2 » by **L3M0NAD3** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 5:40 pm

I wouldnt have a problem with that.

I cannot stand Gregg out there closing any game, close or not.

Avenger · Post #3 » by **Avenger** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:11 pm

trying to outbid for relievers in the FA market is almost never a good idea, you either try to pick up failed starters off the scrap heap or develop your own but you almost never get good value for relievers in Free Agency. Jesse Crain is pretty good but you have to wonder how much of his success is due to Target Field, hitting homeruns there especially for left handed hitters is extremely hard.

Post #4 » by **Schad** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:54 pm

Avenger wrote:trying to outbid for relievers in the FA market is almost never a good idea, you either try to pick up failed starters off the scrap heap or develop your own but you almost never get good value for relievers in Free Agency. Jesse Crain is pretty good but you have to wonder how much of his success is due to Target Field

Yeah, his xFIP is 4.07 right now; that's slightly worse than Frasor, Gregg and Camp. If he's ignored on the market, sure...wouldn't give him more than two years though, and definitely not more than a couple mil per.

Post #5 » by **Nolan** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:39 pm

He wouldn't be a bad pickup if the price is right.

Randle McMurphy · Post #6 » by **Randle McMurphy** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:00 pm

He's not bad, but I wouldn't go out of my way to acquire Jesse Crain. Relievers of his ilk are very inconsistent from year-to-year.

Also, his nationality shouldn't matter to anyone.

CapeCrusader · Post #7 » by **CapeCrusader** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 9:53 pm

I think he would be a good pick up. But only if we don't overpay of course.

luvtheteam · Post #8 » by **luvtheteam** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:20 pm

I don't know how you don't pick up Gregg no matter what else you do. He's a bargain at that price. Gregg is doing what JP had paid like $55million to get (and didn't). Gregg is doing an outstanding job. One of the things i didn't know about him in watching him all year is how damn BIG he is! Wow...i saw him the other day shaking hands with teamates and he just towered over everyone. I always thought, for example, that Overbay was a reasonably big guy, but he was dwarfed by Gregg. NO kiddin.

Anyways, these huge closers are intimidating to opposing hitters. Henke was a beast as well, though i'm not comparing their stuff, 'cause the Henk threw at 95mph.

So, no matter what, i say you keep Gregg. Brilliant pick up by AA. If he can find another gem or 2 for the bullpen we will be in great shape.

Anyways, glad to see you guys looking for potential bullpen guys, because i believe this is the weakest link in the team right now. Another quality arm or 2 and we will be in it thru September next year. JMO.

Mike Hunt · Post #9 » by **Mike Hunt** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:34 pm

I like the idea of picking up Crain at a reasonable price, but I also have no issue at all with Craig. It seems that all year long, I've waited for him to hit that point where I can say: "See, that's why he shouldn't be the closer" and it never comes. Outside of the 1 week of wildness he had, he's been as "lights out" as anyone could have hoped. The fact that he had that week and has come back the way he has is even more important to me.