Baltimore Orioles name RP George Sherrill closer

March 13, 2009 @ 00:00:00

By Ryan Dodson
Edited by Tim Heaney

The Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly reports Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley said reliever George Sherrill would be his closer, but he wouldn't receive every save opportunity. Relief pitcher Chris Ray was named the setup man and will fill in when necessary.

This is good news for Sherrill owners, but one has to wonder how long it will last. Sherrill was good the first half of last season with 28 saves, but he notched just three after the All-Star and missed a chunk of time due to shoulder inflammation. His 39 2/3 innings in the first half last season nearly equaled his 45 2/3 innings from the previous year, which was a career high. Sherrill was a left-handed specialist until last season, and he may be best used in that role.

The 27-year-old Ray returns after missing last season due to Tommy John surgery. He has the better stuff of the two and could easily overtake Sherrill at some point this season. When drafting, be very careful where you take Sherrill because he shouldn't be taken as a top-20 closer. Ray is a great flier pick late in the draft, and he is the better long-term option.

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Ryan Dodson

Dodson is a KFFL Contributor and has been with KFFL since 2002.

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