Can Purcey close?

[dennistokyo]

He has solid numbers and Gregg needs to go. Is there a reason the Jays shouldn't try him as a closer?

[Hoopstarr]

He has been used in very low leverage situations this year and he's been lucky. Hard to tell if he has fixed his control issues since it's only been 19 innings. Even though he'd be prone to give up the occasional walk off homer, I'd at least give him a shot assuming both Downs and Gregg are traded.

[aligator]

Deserves a shot.

[Hoopstarr]

He's pretty much the same as Roenicke when it comes to closer material. Take your pick.

[Schad]

His walk rate is better, but not good, and he's benefiting from an extremely low opponent batting average on balls in play. If we completely overhaul the bullpen, I suppose that it wouldn't hurt, but given his considerable struggles with the strike zone in the past, he'd be my fifth or sixth choice for high-leverage situations at the moment.

[OldNo7]

I think he has ADD, right? Would that help or hurt in that role?

[Pop Rozay]

I think he has ADD, right? Would that help or hurt in that role?

really? well if hes a closer i see no problem

[Randle McMurphy]

FIP leaders:
Downs: 3.08
Frasor: 3.37
Janssen: 3.67
Gregg: 3.75
Purcey: 3.78
Camp: 4.18
Tallet: 8.41

xFIP leaders:
Downs: 3.51
Janssen: 3.60
Frasor: 3.89
Camp: 3.90
Gregg: 4.16
Purcey: 4.44
Tallet: 6.83

Purcey isn't exactly the best reliever on this team, but sure, any decent reliever can close. Kevin Gregg has made a career out of it, hasn't he?

Assuming Downs, Frasor, and Gregg are dealt by Saturday (tough assumption to make, really), Camp and Janssen still go in front of Purcey for me, though.

[number15]

Well our former first round pick and top prospect........ is a borderline long relief pitcher

BUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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well i guess atleast he in the Majors ...... anyway either he becomes a closer one day or he is a big bust, thats his only hope now.

its a shame he was a decent starter at one point.

[Michael Bradley]

Your best reliever does not have to be the closer, especially if the disparity between the best and the worst is not that great (i.e. if you don't have a Rivera type). Scott Downs for example is better off in a set-up role because 1) he gets used more, and 2) he gets used in more high leverage situations. If he were a closer, they would save him for save situations only, which greatly diminishes his value to the team. So if the Jays are going to role with a Purcey, Camp, Janssen, Roenicke, Tallet, etc, bullpen next season, then putting Purcey in the closer spot probably isn't going to make much difference. If anything, as long as he doesn't implode, it might actually give him some value.

[Hummus]

Well our former first round pick and top prospect........ is a borderline long relief pitcher

BUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

--------------------------------------------

well i guess atleast he in the Majors ...... anyway either he becomes a closer one day or he is a big bust, thats his only hope now.

its a shame he was a decent starter at one point.

I don't know where the thermometer is on David Purcey anymore. I remember the year he was drafted as a big lefty southpaw who had a few years of college service - was supposed to be a quality starter, almost "MLB ready" with perhaps a year or two in the minors.

Maybe somebody can fill me in with his development; has he had any major setbacks (torn ligaments, rotator cuff surgery, etc?) Because JP was definitely gassing this kid as somebody who would have been in the majors much sooner, an almost ready major league starter.

I was following the boxscore last night, and was shocked to see he was relieving - thought maybe they were giving him some work after an injury rehab - but it looks as though he's been used in almost 10 games as a reliever already. I guess his career was a let down, because the guy is already 28, and frankly, I would have to agree that if this is where he is at that age (even if he becomes a quality reliever), he was a major letdown.

Also, can anyone give me a synopsis of the career of Zach Jackson, the other lefty starter that JP was pumping up intensely from the draft class?

[Hoopstarr]

Both were typical low risk, low reward picks so they're technically not "busts". Coming in, Purcey had good velocity but it was all flat and he had command problems. He never corrected either. Jackson had lesser stuff but better control, but overall just yawnstipating. He got traded in the Overbay deal and he has bounced around since. Both were boring picks at slot in a draft where they, as is becoming common, missed out on the top tier(s) by 1 or 2 picks. If they were into HSers they could've taken Hughes, Gio Gonzalez, or Gallardo at slot price. The third pick Curtis Thigpen failed too. On the bright side, at least they got Lind, Janssen, and Litsch out of the draft plus Kristian Bell who was traded for Scutaro.

[Schad]

Plus, while I didn't like the low-ceiling picks of that era, it bears keeping in mind that "almost major-league ready" means "has a one in three chance of being a competent major-leaguer" when you're talking about kids in the draft.

[luvtheteam]

Why would you put 'Closer' pressure on the guy now given the struggles he's had over the years??

Geez, let him settle into the bullpen and find himself, gain some confidence and take it from there.

I thought he looked good the other day, but should stay in a 'mid innings' type roll for a while.

[U_Mad]

I mIss Billy Koch

[LBJSeizedMyID]

They said last year that Purcey was the candidate to be put into relief, and some thought he could be given a chance to close. But there aren't many left handed closers out there, so I doubt it. Guess that's why the Jays are asking for Joba.

[aligator]

He may be able to close but could be more useful as the set up man. The closer is not necessarily your best bullpen pitcher. The most highly leveraged situations often occur in the 7th or 8th inning. That's why the Jays have left Downs in that role.

[number15]

Also, can anyone give me a synopsis of the career of Zach Jackson, the other lefty starter that JP was pumping up intensely from the draft class?

Zach Jackson was reaquired by the JAYS this past season as a long shot project.... its safe to say, he will NEVER see the Majors again, even as a reliever.

Now there is a true BUST

................ but hey atleast JP, got Milwaukee to salivate all over him in the Overbay deal. Mr. Overbay gave us 2 and half very solid season, boderline all-star in his first in Torornto even