The Jays agreed to one year contract with newly acquired reliever Justin Speier for $1.6 million.
Thanks to Steve Z for pointing this out in the latest hijack central.
Thanks to Steve Z for pointing this out in the latest hijack central.
Will he be the closer, or will it be Lopez's job to lose?
In Spencer Fordin's report, he says Speier and Lopez are expected to get most of the save opportunities, and that the situation will work itself out in spring training. Justin also has some "closer" incentives:
Speier will reportedly receive $25,000 if he finishes 40 games, and another $25,000 if he finishes 50.
I don't think they're going to hand out any roles until they see all the new guys pitch, but Speier probably has the inside track to be the closer. This isn't because of any dissatisfaction with Lopez, it's just that the Jays wanted a more experienced alternative. There were rumours that Tim Worrell was the club's first choice, but shortly after last year's Giants closer opted to become a setup man for the Phillies, J.P. traded for Speier.
Speier will reportedly receive $25,000 if he finishes 40 games, and another $25,000 if he finishes 50.
I don't think they're going to hand out any roles until they see all the new guys pitch, but Speier probably has the inside track to be the closer. This isn't because of any dissatisfaction with Lopez, it's just that the Jays wanted a more experienced alternative. There were rumours that Tim Worrell was the club's first choice, but shortly after last year's Giants closer opted to become a setup man for the Phillies, J.P. traded for Speier.
...shortly after last year's Giants closer opted to become a setup man for the Phillies, J.P. traded for Speier.
And he did better on the exchange, too. Baseball Prospectus's advanced reliever metrics show the contrasts between the two:
Adjusted Runs Prevented (number of runs that the reliever prevented over an average pitcher, given the bases/outs situation when he entered and left each game, adjusted for league and park)
Speier, 9.0; Worrell, -0.1
Adjusted Pitching Runs (a pitcher's value in runs above average)
Speier, 5.2; Worrell, 4.3
Inherited Runs Prevented (the expected number of inherited runners the reliever prevented from scoring. If this number is positive, the reliever is chopping points off his teammates' RAs; if it's negative, he's adding points to his teammates' RAs)
Speier, 3.1; Worrell, -2.4
All that for over a million dollars less than what Worrell took from the Phillies, and for a pitcher five years younger. As Rick Mercer would say: I think that went well.
And he did better on the exchange, too. Baseball Prospectus's advanced reliever metrics show the contrasts between the two:
Adjusted Runs Prevented (number of runs that the reliever prevented over an average pitcher, given the bases/outs situation when he entered and left each game, adjusted for league and park)
Speier, 9.0; Worrell, -0.1
Adjusted Pitching Runs (a pitcher's value in runs above average)
Speier, 5.2; Worrell, 4.3
Inherited Runs Prevented (the expected number of inherited runners the reliever prevented from scoring. If this number is positive, the reliever is chopping points off his teammates' RAs; if it's negative, he's adding points to his teammates' RAs)
Speier, 3.1; Worrell, -2.4
All that for over a million dollars less than what Worrell took from the Phillies, and for a pitcher five years younger. As Rick Mercer would say: I think that went well.
Wow, Jordan, you are the second person I have ever heard of who has seen "Made in Canada", the first being me.
Made in Canada was genius... Peter Keleghan (sp?) plays essentially the same character in the Newsroom, which is also hilarious.
There's nothing wrong with Canadian TV, there's just no viewership.
There's nothing wrong with Canadian TV, there's just no viewership.
And how can you not love a show using "Blow At High Dough" as its theme song?
Leah Pinsent's a serious MILF ...
Leah Pinsent's a serious MILF ...
Newsroom is one of the best sitcoms ever. DaVinci's Inquest is currently my favourite TV drama. I love Canadian TV!
I watched Rick Mercer's Monday Report this week - it's genius.
Highly recommended. Plus, there's absolutely nothing else on Mondays @8:00.
Highly recommended. Plus, there's absolutely nothing else on Mondays @8:00.
Wow, Jordan, you are the second person I have ever heard of who has seen "Made in Canada", the first being me.
It's one of my five favourite TV shows.
It's one of my five favourite TV shows.
CBC TV? Warning, the Nerd-o-meter's needle is nearing the red !
Unfortunately, I'm working Monday nights this year and don't get home until 10... which is a shame, because there's nothing decent on the rest of the week.
I guess I'll have to wait for the reruns of the Mercer report...
I guess I'll have to wait for the reruns of the Mercer report...
"which is a shame, because there's nothing decent on the rest of the week."
Actually there is one good show the rest of the week. Scrubs is the best show on TV.
Actually there is one good show the rest of the week. Scrubs is the best show on TV.