Steve Davis: Time To Change Closers
I have been pretty steadfast in my support of Jim Johnson. Earlier in the season, I said I would not change closers.
Now, on the heels of back to back blown saves that he has had, I think it is time to try someone else. I don't think this is knee-jerk.
Last year, he was phenomenal. But this isn't last year. You don't hand your resume to the ump on the way in and get strike one. He is pretty average this year. Yes, he leads the league in saves, but he also leads the league in blown saves. Of the top 7 closers in respect to number of saves, he has as many losses as the next 6 guys combined.
His WHIP is the worst, ERA the worst, and he has given up WAY more hits than the other top closers.
He is not THAT guy anymore. He is just A guy this year.
The Orioles right now are on the outside looking in at a playoff spot. They need to get better at the closer spot. For me, it is kind of a coin flip with Hunter or K-Rod.
I think I would try K-Rod. With Milwaukee, he was 10 for 10 in save situations with an ERA of 1.93. He is not the old K-Rod, but he is only 31 and has experience.
If they decide to try Hunter, I'm cool with that too, but he has never done it before. By the way, I am fully aware that they might struggle in the job, but we might as well find out because the evidence suggests that Johnson is going to continue to struggle too.
