Since the decline of the option on Reds Closer Francisco Cordero was announce the door has been opened to the question of: “Who will close the door for the REDS in 2012?” There was a field of 10 closers to talk about however Johnathan Papelbon sign a 4 year deal with the Philly’s for an estimated 50 million dollars (final details not yet known) thereby raising the expectations of the closer’s agents monetarily and intensifying the stress levels of REDs fans suddenly realizing that they may be with out a proven closer for 2012.
This series will not examine the prospect of home grown closers but rather the free Agency as it is more oriented to the current season which is the off season of baseball. Examination of 9 (was 10 now minus Papelbon) of the top closers in the free agency/arbitration.
Today we will begin with Number 9:
David Allan Aardsma
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6′ 3″, Weight: 210 lb.
Born: December 27, 1981 in Denver, CO (Age 29)
High School: Cherry Creek (Englewood, CO)
Schools: Pennsylvania State University, Rice University
Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 1st round (22nd pick) of the 2003 amateur draft.
Signed: June 29, 2003.
Debut: April 6, 2004
MLB Teams: Mariners/RedSox/Cubs/WhiteSox/Giants 2004-2010
2012 Contract Status: 3rd-Year Arb Eligible, 1 yr/$4.5M (11)
Service Time (01/2012): 5.082, Arb Eligible: 2012,
Free Agent: 2013 Agents: Octagon, previously: Jamie Murphy
Pros: Age:only 29, Saves:31 (2010), Blown Saves: only 5 (2010)
Cons: ERA: increased from 2.52 in ’09 to 3.44 in ’10, Injury: offseason hip surgery
Analysis: Aardsma is a well proven closer with decent command. His decline in statistics in 2010 may well have been injury related and if you have to have hip surgery it would be better at 29 than say 37. Still hip surgery is nothing to take lightly and even more so for a pitcher especially a closer. If the trade is right meaning not giving up a lot than perhaps some minor prospects then Jocketty may take the risk with the price is right at 4.5 million(Arbitration pending). I however would probably look else were in the market as the injury would be to risky. Then again if the Reds get in a bind say putting in Massett (AKA:Mr. I can’t pitch in April) in the closer role then Aardsma would be the man.
Stats (click on to make larger):
I think they will re-sign Cordero. I just hope it is not for a lot of years.