Have an interesting conundrum, and thought I'd solicit some ideas...

In a prog league, I've got a very solid rotation. So solid, in fact, that I can afford to take the pitcher with the best raw numbers and move him into the pen. The other starters are very solid, and have higher IP/G, so I've decided to take my stud and make him a closer to hide my bullpen deficiencies.

This particular pitcher has 230 IP, and 5.75 IP/G. My goal is to get as much as I can from my good starters, and hand the ball to my new "closer" to finish up as often as possible. I have plenty of IP for long relief/mop up work, and a reasonable set up A/B duo.

Theoretically, I should be able to bring him into the 7th inning for 3 IP saves in about 70-75 games. However, I doubt that the fatigue system would allow this. I am planning on setting him as available in the 8th to start the season, but I'm wondering if even two inning saves would render him unavailable for the next game.

Anyone ever try this before? What's the best way to get 200+ innings from a closer?

I'd say set him to be available in the 7th, set him as setup A (and everyone else as setup B, long A, etc), pull setting to 1, no pitch count and don't pinch hit for him.

Ya I'd do the same probably. Have no closer with him as set up A. The 2 others as set up b. Have him available in the 7th. i'd set his pull at 3 though. Make sure you do not pinch hit for him

hard to use 200 ip in a setup/closer role...dont click the "only bring in closer in save sits..." box, def, make him avail in at least the 8th inning, set his pc high and his autorest % low. good luck, if you remember down the road, post your results and the settings you used.

if you set him up as a setup A he will pitch in many games that you are behind in the 7th or later. If this doesnt bother you then go ahead.

The answer you need, is yes, you can bring a relief pitcher into as many as 81 games without experiencing any appearance fatigue. I've used '95 Maddux as a closer many times.

The answer you don't need is how to manage your staff to win the most games. Figure it out yourself.

Interesting ideas... I hadn't thought about using him as Setup A.

Innings-wise, I know he's got plenty to last the season. What concerns me though is Sparky burning him up in a set-up role in meaningless games, and forcing me to rest him more often. I'm curious to see how he'll fatigue.

I think I'm going to start the season with him set as closer, available 8th, (at least through game 15) to bank some innings. Then we'll see if Sparky can be trusted not to abuse him...

I'd use him as a Closer and Spot Starter. when facing a key opponent let him start 2 of the games, at other times leave him at Setup or Closer. if you use him as closer he'll get called in the 8th innings more often if you don't have any Setup pitchers.

I'd use him as Closer A, 50-60 PC, available 7th IP, pull 1, no PH, and would not check the "only use in save situations" box, so he will also come in in tie games. You could still have a setup A/B to be the first option in games in which you're losing. This should get him into enoug games to max his value...

not exactly the same situation but I have a progressive team and I'm using Elmer Steele '08 as a closer. he has 125 RL IP and his IP/G is over 7.

i have him set as closer A, available in the 8th inning, PC of 30/45 and i unchecked the "use only in save situations" box

with about 20 games to go in the season, he has pitched in 60 games and worked 88 innings. so i won't be getting anywhere close to his RL/IP

I am also a progressive guy.
I have had two similar situations. In both instances, I had a closer set to 9th inning. I set my SP as set-up A, 55-65 PC, 6th available, pull 1 or 2. He was the only set-up A option. Had 2 set-up B guys each time at 4th inning.

What happened is that the SP got quite a few 3 inning saves and I was able to utilize the innings (about 120 or so out of @170 as a RP). The SP was indeed used in situations where we were behind, but that quality arm gave the offense a chance to come back! I also used them as spot starters, then moved the "other" SP to setup 8th inning.

Quote: Originally Posted By jfranco77 on 1/20/2010
not exactly the same situation but I have a progressive team and I'm using Elmer Steele '08 as a closer. he has 125 RL IP and his IP/G is over 7.

i have him set as closer A, available in the 8th inning, PC of 30/45 and i unchecked the "use only in save situations" box

with about 20 games to go in the season, he has pitched in 60 games and worked 88 innings. so i won't be getting anywhere close to his RL/IP

That's because your team is destroying the league :P. Don't worry...I don't hate you as much as everyone else

In the same league, I've been using '09 Babe Adams as my closer (139 IP/RL).

I've had him set at 8th inning, 25/35, pull setting of 2 and he comes in as needed (not just in save situations). I've used him for one start as well.

So far, 54 games, 8-7, 34/38 in saves and 77.7 IP. But I've had fantastic setup men, so he hasn't had to come in early as often.

Quote: Originally posted by boogerlips on 1/20/2010The answer you need, is yes, you can bring a relief pitcher into as many as 81 games without experiencing any appearance fatigue. I've used '95 Maddux as a closer many times.The answer you don't need is how to manage your staff to win the most games. Figure it out yourself.

I often can relate to your frustration of people asking "how do I make my team better" type of questions, but I don't think this is one of those. He's already devised his strategy - use a starter as a long-inning closer. His question is "how do I make sparky do this?"