George Sherrill. Could he be for real?

by UMterp08 on Jul 1, 2009 9:35 AM EDT

Surprise, surprise, but our much maligned closer has quietly been arguably the best closer in the entire league the past two months. He hasn't even made things interesting either, because hes shutting down the opposition with ease.

April: 9.2 IP, 4 SV, 4.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, .317 BAA, 8 Ks

May: 11 IP, 6 SV, 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, .132 BAA, 13 Ks

June: 11 IP, 7 SV, 0.82 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, .132 BAA, 8 Ks

Most importantly, hes only issued 9 walks the entire year. Thats pretty dominating stuff. At this point last year he racked up a ton of saves and had way more press, but at no point did he even come remotely close to pitching as well as he has this year. I know we are all waiting for him to start up his old antics and end the season with an ERA in the 4's, but what if he doesn't? Is it possible that he could be our long term closer?

He could always shut down lefties, in fact hes one of the best in the league at doing so. That will never be a concern. But of course righties are the problem. Last year was his first in extensively dealing with them, and he struggled against them with a 1.73 WHIP and .254 BAA over 35.1 IP. This year though hes kept them under control for the most part with a 1.20 WHIP and a .238 BAA over 21.2 innings.

He doesn't possess the prototypical closer's blazing fastball, but his career K/9 is 9.49, so stuff clearly isn't a problem. And yeah hes already 32, but he doesn't strike me as a guy who's performance will drop off anytime soon due to physical wear and tear. On the flip side, if he keeps up this pace for the next few weeks, he'll be a classic sell high proposition with trade value even higher than it was last year. I don't know if George can keep pitching at this level, but to do it for two consecutive months kinda forces the question. The guy is a good pitcher. But I always believed he was thrown into a ill-suited role last year as a closer and suffered in the second half because of it. But hopefully I'm wrong and maybe he really can be a closer. In a career filled with perseverance, maybe this will be another chapter. Or maybe he will implode with 5 ER his next appearance and make me look stupid, who knows. But I like what I'm seeing though.

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Comments

Sherrill is a good pitcher

But I think his issues with righties mean that he’s never going to be a consistently good closer. Used properly, though, he’s a really useful piece who could be part of a championship bullpen. We should trade him to somebody who appreciates that.

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Jul 1, 2009 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

I hesitate to

trade George without a solid replacement at closer. If we start blowing games that we are winning due to lack of a closer it will really damage the young player’s psyche. Too bad Chris Ray hasn’t regained form as of yet or this discussion could be much easier. Unless the offer is just too great to turn down (which I just don’t see), Flat Breezy stays.

by sickuvitall on Jul 1, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I can definitely see that point

But I guess I just put less emphasis on it. You definitely don’t want to trade him just to trade him. He’s good, and if no one bites then I’d be happy to have him around, but I think they should actively shop him to see if they can get some decent talent back.

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Jul 1, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

on the part about actively shopping him. What would be adequate compensation though? We only need certain pieces (i.e.-infield prospects, maybe more pitching prospects). Getting someone to give up something we need for ol’ Georgie isn’t likely, especially given that his recent success can’t reasonably continue forever. I can’t see trading him unless we get someone who fits into the future plans…no more minor-league filler I guess is what I am saying.

by sickuvitall on Jul 1, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

agreed also

We need position prospects badly. A power hitter at 3B or 1B (Brandon Synder is no sure thing) would do wonders. If Sherrill keeps it up there has to be some team desperate enough to cough up some quality prospects.

But if Sherrill can only net a few ho-hum pitching prospects, then we should keep him.

by UMterp08 on Jul 1, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I hesitate to trade George without a solid replacement at closer.

Jim Johnson will make a fine closer.

What would be adequate compensation though?

A B prospect and a C prospect sounds reasonable for a guy who’s under control for multiple years. But teams aren’t giving up squat for relievers these days.

"Your wife told you to play in New York.
Well, my wife told me you look like a dork." Boo Teixeira guys.

by birdman on Jul 1, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions