Thursday, January 17, 2013
Rizzo: Soriano will close
Though he went out of his way to use the words "Drew Storen" and "closer" together multiple times, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo left no doubt who will be handed the ball for the ninth inning come Opening Day: The guy he just gave $28 million.
"Suffice it to say, Raffy is here to pitch the ninth inning," Rizzo said while introducing Rafael Soriano Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park. "He has done it successfully everywhere he has been, and we expect him to continue that."
At the same time, Rizzo seemed to make it clear he intends to keep both Storen and Tyler Clippard and give manager Davey Johnson as many quality relievers as possible to pitch the late innings of close games. Storen, who dominated down the stretch last season until his blown save in Game 5 of the NLDS, will likely serve as Johnson's "B" closer.
"Drew Storen is a closer," Rizzo said. "He's going to be a closer. He's got closer stuff. He's got a closer mentality. By no means the signing of Rafael Soriano was based on one inning and one game at the end of the season."
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"Drew Storen is a closer," Rizzo said.
"John is my No. 5 starter." -- Davey Johnson.
"I am not a crook." -- Richard M. Nixon.
He did say he liked to teach and mentioned mentoring young pitchers in Atlanta and Tampa Bay but I don't think he said NY as the interpreter stated.
"Iraq has WMD" - George W Bush
"Read my lips no new taxes" - George HW Bush ...
so?
Where does Rizzo get his sweaters?
Oh, can I play, too? I did not have sex with...er, nevermind. :-)
Thanks for the update, Mark. I've not yet watched the presser, which I did record, but interesting to read this item.
MicheleS said...
Where does Rizzo get his sweaters?
Usually, I'm with you on these sort of things. I loved the dark lavender V-neck he wears. But this grey-and-black striped number? Meh. Looks like he's on a 10-day call-up from old Lorton. This one does nothing for me. I'd guess, Target, $14.99, marked down from after-Christmas. I'll pass.
In other news, there's this from Wagner at the Post (in a piece on the return of Bob and FP):
"On-field reporter Kristina Akra's contract is also up and, according to a person familiar with the situation, she is expected to return."
Any truth to the rumor that Rizzo sent Storen a text saying "Your ninth inning has now been cancelled"?
MicheleS said...
Where does Rizzo get his sweaters?
I'm guessing Goodwill.
Dang, I missed the presser. Glad you folks are talking about it.
I just selected my four free tickets to a Nats ST game. I selected the March 11th game with the Braves. Now, if only I'll get to make the trip.
Apparently Drew has settled prior to arb. And I am certain that Davey Johnson has said " Drew is my guy" - the kiss of death.
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman" --Bill Clinton
The Nationals have avoided arbitration with Drew Storen by reaching agreement on a one-year, $2.5MM contract, according to his representatives at CAA Sports (on Twitter). The contract also includes $1MM in performance bonuses.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/01/nationals-avoid-arbitration-with-drew-storen.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#twWfYZa9m3FkGLuf.99
At least his mistress was real.
Storen shouldn't be upset that he's not the closer any more. Now he can be the guy that Davey has warming up as soon as Soriano comes into the game, ready to replace Soriano the very second he starts getting in trouble. The closer-replacement. Right, Section222?
The contract also includes $1MM in performance bonuses.
If those performance bonuses are based on games finished, Soriano had better keep his eye out for any Jeff Gillooly types roaming around in Viera.
Amanda Comak @acomak
A potential $3.5 million haul in his 1st year of arbitration as a Super 2 player is a nice sum for Drew Storen.
At least his mistress was real.
So not only are Storen and Clippard married to each other, one of them has a mistress too? Which one?
The truth hurts, but Storen's meltdown is what caused this move. Rizzo is right, no doubt who gets the ball on the ninth.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121119&content_id=40356488&vkey=pr_mlb_network&c_id=mlb_network
Where's Kilgore? Heidi Watney is on the MLB Network now.
I was referring to Bill Clinton via sm13....but-hahaha.
So on Drew's contract there are incentives for games finished. Does that mean official saves or just the pitcher of record when the last out is recorded? So if you get two outs in the ninth and someone else gets the third it's not a game finished and they don't have to pay him? Sounds a bit hazy to me.
If it's on the interwebz, it must be real, right? ;-)
baseballswami said...
At least his mistress was real.
January 17, 2013 8:49 PM
Yep
The last out recorded
Not clear the incentives are games-finished. Could be innings pitched, or some other stat.
I believe it's games finished
That's how they get ya
Yea it's games finished that will be tough to do to bad it's not appearances
Sounds tricky- like maybe a Stanford guy should be a little more skeptical. Now if he had gone to another school, like maybe Notee Dame?
I still don't get how someone can be fooled that their GF died.
Swami it is
Just saw that Storen will be making at least $2.5 and as much as $3.5 million in his first arbitration season. Isn't that a bit high?
Not considering he was a closer
So Jordan is feeling pretty optimistic about now I think. That whole pitcher of the month thing, and then the fierce relief appearance. Ka-Ching. Oh, and Desi , too. $$$$$$
The NL East runs through Philadelphia---J. Rollins
Doc said...
The NL East runs through Philadelphia---J. Rollins
January 17, 2013 10:57 PM
Without even slowing down, too! :)
"Veni, vidi, vici"---Julius Caesar
This will work for the Nat's too!
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