Jonathan Broxton to Close For Team USA?
The bullpen members of Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic are dropping like flies! Per the Washington Post:
Joe Nathan and B.J. Ryan have pulled out of the WBC, and they have been replaced by LaTroy Hawkins and former Dodger prospect Joel Hanrahan.
Looking at the roster for Team USA, the remaining bullpen pitchers are:
Broxton
Hanrahan
Hawkins
J.P. Howell
Matt Lindstrom
J.J. Putz
Scot Shields
Matt Thornton
Brad Ziegler
Only Putz has a reasonable argument to close ahead of Broxton. Perhaps national pride will sway the Broxton naysayers. If he is good enough to close games for our country, surely he is good enough to close games for the Dodgers!
almost 3 years ago
Eric Stephen
12 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Shields
I think you could consider Shields for the closer spot also. In the WBC it seems like player roles are up in the air. Remember Chan Ho Park closed for Korea in the ’06 WBC.
by EthierIsBetterThanKemp on Mar 2, 2009 1:09 PM PST reply actions
But there are some things you can count on
Like Chipper Jones being awesome and underrated, and BK Kim ruining everything by giving up a bomb (in 2006, to Fukudome).
by StolenMonkey86 on Mar 2, 2009 7:41 PM PST up reply actions
I am not liking our prospects of winning this
And this is not like the World Cup, where I can root for countries of my heritage.
Why not?
The sample size is so small really anyone can win as long as your team’s decent.
by Brendan Scolari on Mar 2, 2009 11:11 PM PST up reply actions
Even Italy?
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 2, 2009 11:25 PM PST up reply actions
I said as long as your team is decent
meaning quality MLB starter type players. :-)
by Brendan Scolari on Mar 2, 2009 11:41 PM PST up reply actions
Hey
We like us some Jason Grilli.
Not that a relief pitcher can win a championship for you
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 4, 2009 7:32 AM PST up reply actions
No
although I’m sure Brad Lidge would argue with you.
by Brendan Scolari on Mar 4, 2009 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
Okay
But Lidge wouldn’t win a championship with Mark DeRosa, Joe Vitiello, Marco Scutaro and Ron VIllone instead of Rollins, Utley, Howard and Hamels.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 7, 2009 9:05 PM PST up reply actions
Brox closing
for Team USA would be excellent. The more work he gets in meaningful situations, the more he (and the fan base) will be comfortable when the real thing (and I don’t mean Matt Stairs) hits.
I'd go with Broxton over Putz
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 2, 2009 6:01 PM PST reply actions
Heath Bell
was just added. That is some beef in the bullpen.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Ask Alex: Will Julio Teheran or Matt Moore win rookie of the year?
- Ku Klux Klan, umpires and bowling: Why the minor leagues tossed out Jim Evans academy
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
- Will Bryce Harper start the season with the Nationals?
- Mitch Mustain puts football behind him, signs reported rookie deal with White Sox
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
