Braves Will Use Jonny Venters And Craig Kimbrel As Co-Closers

by gondeee on Mar 22, 2011 9:53 PM EDT

From an AP report this evening it looks like Fredi Gonzalez and his Atlanta Braves will use both young pitchers as co-closers to start the season:

Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel will enter the season sharing the closer's role. Manager Fredi Gonzalez isn't concerned about not having a full-time answer for the ninth inning.

"In a perfect world, you'd like to name one guy, but I can't sit here and say May 15 is going to be the day or June 20," he said. "Maybe we'll go the whole way. It's not a bad thing. It really isn't."

Kimbrel has struggled by having some very bad innings this spring, but he has also showed the ability to escape trouble with the strikeout and dominate opposing batters at times. Venters has not shown the same strikeout ability he did last year, but he has been virtually unhittable (just 2 hits in 8 innings).

Last week Talking Chop laid out the reasons that Venters should get the job over Kimbrel, though Craig has turned in some good performances since then, those reasons still hold true for me. Still, it's great that the Braves have two guys this good. Just like our glut of starting pitching, two guys who can close is a good problem to have.

[UPDATE 3/23 @ 11:15am]

It was pointed out to me by DOB that this is not really new news. In fact this story was written by the AP writer a while back, but was only just now run on national news outlets (including the AJC). So while it is nice to think we're getting an update, the dual closer option has been Fredi's thinking throughout the spring, and apparently nothing has changed.

Tweet Comment 42 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'm a fan of this move

My fantasy team, however, is not pleased.

"I still feel like I have something to offer, and the cynical fan can really kiss my ass. I really don’t care. There’s a bunch of true fans and the people who actually want to take the time to get to know me know who I am. The guy who sits in his mom’s basement and types on his mom’s computer, I couldn’t really care less about." - Chipper Jones

by KJDH2154 on Mar 22, 2011 9:56 PM EDT reply actions

My feelings exactly. I guess I’ll trade a few fantasy saves for the ultimate success of our boys, though.

by ElJosharino on Mar 23, 2011 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly what we should do.

good call Fredi.

by Bronn on Mar 22, 2011 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

Not completely happy about this

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they’ll both do a great job of closing the game. My problem is that I think they maybe they’ll be more confident/ready for games if they know what role they’ll play. I think there would have been no harm in saying, “X is the setup man, and Y is the closer…but those options may change.”

That way, say Venters was tabbed as the setup guy, he’ll know to get ready to pitch in the 6th/7th inning when the Braves are ahead by a few or in a close game. With the ambiguity, I have a feeling that it might throw their mental preparation (assuming there’s such a thing!) off.

Oh well, I doubt it’ll be a major issue. I assume that by June/July only one of them will be the every day closer anyways. Either due to injuries, general wear, or performance.

by sag969 on Mar 22, 2011 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

they know when to get ready when they get the call

and they will likely have a real good idea going into the game whose going to be a closer that night

by willlinn on Mar 23, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Good job Fredi.

Now let’s get an AP report saying Heyward will hit 2-4.

"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @ScottColeman55

by Scott Coleman on Mar 22, 2011 10:54 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yes please!

by redwards95 on Mar 23, 2011 6:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Smart move

Both are young and can use the time easing into the high leverage role of closer.

"It's like winning a war...you need arms and money." Fredi G

by bighop on Mar 22, 2011 10:56 PM EDT reply actions

we could have let

talkingchop decide this from our closer discussion poll fanpost.

by MacsGlasses on Mar 22, 2011 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Now I don't feel so bad about missing Kimbrel in my TC fantasy league

How do I feel? Like f**king success - Jordan Schafer

We had the midget mafia over at second base: Me, Uggla and Conrad - Matt Young

by ATLandUNC on Mar 22, 2011 11:34 PM EDT reply actions

I love the front office. They always keep us interested on off days. :)

"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones

by MBL1 on Mar 23, 2011 12:04 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

This kept me interested on my off day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJH0SeybjRg

"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @ScottColeman55

by Scott Coleman on Mar 23, 2011 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m kind of afraid to click, but I’m guessing it’s either The Office, March Madness or a RickRoll.

"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones

by MBL1 on Mar 23, 2011 12:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

rihanna

"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"

"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."

by Doghnut on Mar 23, 2011 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Good.

Now maybe Fredi will luck into using both of them intelligently sometimes.

by SS451 on Mar 23, 2011 12:11 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

talking chop didn't lay down the reasons why venters should get the job

gondee did

by willlinn on Mar 23, 2011 12:22 AM EDT reply actions

I like it.

It gives us the flexibility to matchup with the other team’s lineup. Also, it will help keep both of them fresh as they get accustomed to the long season. (I know Venters pitched over 80 innings last year. This should help him as well) Ther ewill be many days where you might not use the set-up man but use the closer. Since the Braves seem to be a last at-bat team, this makes sense.

by DawgB on Mar 23, 2011 2:22 AM EDT reply actions

I'm on board, too.

I think a lot of us have been looking for signs that Fredi will be smart and open to new approaches that go against hidebound conventional wisdom. This is a damn good start on that.

"All told, Philadelphia stadiums house the most monstrous collection of humanity outside of the federal penal system." - GQ

by Sam Jethroe on Mar 23, 2011 2:22 AM EDT reply actions

this

by willlinn on Mar 23, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I think what we have is even better than Fredi's "perfect world"

Yes, teams are more than happy to have one established closer, but what we have is even better. I see that this could be a problem with two RHP or two LHP because you can’t play the match up. With what we have we can match up to R/L batters in the 8th and 9th as well or better than any other team. I look forward to both relievers pitching to their potential and showing up madsen/lidge all season.

by LetGMadduxPlayCF2011 on Mar 23, 2011 3:32 AM EDT reply actions

good point

we dont just have good arms,
we have a good balance that a good manager should be able to manage and get the best from

(- the fact we have no long reliever if we take proctologist)

by willlinn on Mar 23, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Kimbrel & Venters: Ambidextrous Two-Headed Save Monster

Q: If not us, who? If not now, when? A: The Batman. And "when you least expect it."

by Lennox on Mar 23, 2011 4:14 AM EDT reply actions

+ a million

"It's like winning a war...you need arms and money." Fredi G

by bighop on Mar 23, 2011 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

VEMBRAL!

by TBuzz on Mar 23, 2011 2:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

KITTERS!

Wait, nevermind.

"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs

by duwanis on Mar 23, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Chill, all decisions on closer are temporary.

And Kimbrel has NOT struggled this spring. The fact that he gave up some runs in his first few starts in ST means nothing. You don’t expect a high octane pitcher like him to be throwing smoke in early March. As long as he’s throwing strikes and his velocity is creeping up he’s right on schedule.

by RunninBrave on Mar 23, 2011 6:44 AM EDT reply actions

Excellent call by Freddi.

by redwards95 on Mar 23, 2011 6:45 AM EDT reply actions

When the reason for a committee is two guys who are good at it, instead of zero- committees aren’t bad.

by Broccoman on Mar 23, 2011 8:12 AM EDT reply actions

Exactly

This is less of a committee than a dynamic duo.

"All told, Philadelphia stadiums house the most monstrous collection of humanity outside of the federal penal system." - GQ

by Sam Jethroe on Mar 23, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

May 15?

My birthday. Trying to drop some hints, Fredi? You don’t have do anything special, but it sure would be nice.

LIVE EDT

Tape-delayed for the West Coast

by TheLetter2 on Mar 23, 2011 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

I don't wanna spoil the surprise...

but expect a certain C and IF to stop by your office.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 23, 2011 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

/shudders with delight

LIVE EDT

Tape-delayed for the West Coast

by TheLetter2 on Mar 23, 2011 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Damn it...

my apologies. I’ve just been told since I spoiled the surprise, they’re having to make other arrangements and what I said you should expect you now should not expect.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 23, 2011 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

You mean

Posada and Fielder aren’t going to go see him after all? Dang.

"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs

by duwanis on Mar 23, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

It was actually gonna be...

Russell Martin and James Loney.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 23, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought it would be Pablo Sandoval and Hector Villeneuva, and you’d have to pay the food bill.

by Broccoman on Mar 23, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

LIVE EDT

Tape-delayed for the West Coast

by TheLetter2 on Mar 23, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Aren't you glad I ruined the surprise then?

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 24, 2011 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Drat.

LIVE EDT

Tape-delayed for the West Coast

by TheLetter2 on Mar 23, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

If this is a baby step towards the realization that really, you don’t ever have to name a closer, and just maybe, a strategy of using your best reliever at the most important point of the game is a better way than a rote schedule of x-pitcher in y inning, then I am all for it

I have zero hope of this actually being the case though.

by Atlantaspike on Mar 23, 2011 11:15 AM EDT reply actions