Friday, March 11, 2011
Rangers' Feliz - Lights Out Closer to Shut Down Starter?
Although I've read two supposedly no-brainer articles that Texas Rangers' closer Neftali Feliz has the right stuff to become a top starting pitcher, I still think it's the wrong move. In his rookie campaign last year, Feliz emerged as one of the games top closers helping the Rangers' to the World Series with 40 saves in 70 games and a 4-3 win loss record with only 3 blown saves. Now, the Rangers', needing another starter with nothing available on the market, are attempting to make Feliz a #3 starter behind CJ Wilson & Colby Lewis. Although my position on not making him a starter is thwarted with CJ Wilson emerging as a starter last year after being a closer the last two years with a 15-8 record, I'm still very hesitant. Feliz says he's very comfortable with the closer role and seems to be made for it. Of course, the decision is not his and it's what's best for team but you wonder if they (Manager Ron Washington & Pitching Coach Mike Maddux) want to mess with success, as it were. Wilson, although decent as a closer with 14 & 24 saves the previous two years, did not seem to thrive in the role where as Feliz does. You also have to worry about him psycologically, if he has a few bad outings coming out of the gate this year it may affect the confidence he had being the closer. There is also the arm of Feliz being used for twice as many innings, although the Rangers' say he will not go more than 160 may still effect him later in the year. Ron Washington & Mike Maddux are experts in this and may in all probability go with him as a starter, I just hope it's worth it. Feliz has the goods to be a Mariano-like closer for the next 10 maybe15 years and it may cost the Rangers' some games with him not being there in the ninth inning. Unless they catch lightening in a bottle twice.
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