Ryan Madson 2013 Outlook

[doog71 161]

According to the LA Times, Madson won't be the closer when he comes off the DL in a few days.

That doesn't mean he won't end up being the closer, but it sounds like Scioscia is going to keep Frieri in the role.

Just a heads-up if you've been stashing Madson on your DL.

[Damn Yankee 493]

According to the LA Times, Madson won't be the closer when he comes off the DL in a few days.

That doesn't mean he won't end up being the closer, but it sounds like Scioscia is going to keep Frieri in the role.

Just a heads-up if you've been stashing Madson on your DL.

Hard to evaluate closers when they hardly get a chance to actually save games

[grimsfield 849]

from what i've heard, he definitely won't be the closer right when he comes back, there's no question about that. However, I've heard conflicting thoughts about if he takes over after a few weeks if he pitches well.

It sounds like the angels want him to pitch the 9th and frieri available to pitch the 8th and maybe parts of the 7th. They like madson in the 9th, not just because he has experience, but because it would be less of a work load pitching just one inning. They angels management seems to like frieri as a bridge to madson because they think he can handle more work, especially with madson just returning from injury..

[NoClownQuestionsBro 1,960]

Angels beats love Frieri. So it's hard to gauge. They're making it seem like Mike loves him too.

Maybe next year Madson gets the gig.

[grimsfield 849]

Angels beats love Frieri. So it's hard to gauge. They're making it seem like Mike loves him too.

Maybe next year Madson gets the gig.

any of the beat writers say if they think frieri keeps the job the remainder of the year?

[NoClownQuestionsBro 1,960]

Angels beats love Frieri. So it's hard to gauge. They're making it seem like Mike loves him too.

Maybe next year Madson gets the gig.

any of the beat writers say if they think frieri keeps the job the remainder of the year?

I can't find one who hasn't. I know Alden Gonzalez is really high on Frieri and has always said if he gets the opp he runs with it. The blogesphere is on team Frieri too. Which is probably just because Madsen hasn't pitched.

[5catstud 47]

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

[grimsfield 849]

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

right!? unfortunately not everyone thinks that way though... see roenicke, farrell.... scioscia.

[AnonymousRob 1,911]

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

Angels bullpen IS broken.

[grimsfield 849]

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

Angels bullpen IS broken.

frieri may be the sole piece of the bullpen that isn't broken though.

[Bodhizefa 206]

Both Frieri and Madson have had great success in set-up roles before, so it's not like they can't handle it if that's their role. I'm sure Madson wants to get a shot at closing (and a larger payday next off-season if he can stay healthy), and I'll bet he will at some point. Scioscia is a born tinkerer.

[5catstud 47]

Both Frieri and Madson have had great success in set-up roles before, so it's not like they can't handle it if that's their role. I'm sure Madson wants to get a shot at closing (and a larger payday next off-season if he can stay healthy), and I'll bet he will at some point. Scioscia is a born tinkerer.

But Bod, do you trust someone coming off TJ surgery with who-knows-what kind of control to close out your games?

[foeplay 431]

Convert him to SP???

[Max Rockatansky 1,060]

Convert him to SP???

Yeah, let's convert a 33yrs old coming from a TJ surgery

[Bodhizefa 206]

Both Frieri and Madson have had great success in set-up roles before, so it's not like they can't handle it if that's their role. I'm sure Madson wants to get a shot at closing (and a larger payday next off-season if he can stay healthy), and I'll bet he will at some point. Scioscia is a born tinkerer.

But Bod, do you trust someone coming off TJ surgery with who-knows-what kind of control to close out your games?

Not at first, and that's why I think they're easing him back into the pen. But Frieri has bouts with his control from time to time, so it's easy for me to see Scioscia slotting Madson in at some point after he's shown he's healthy and fully back.

[Patrick Bateman 6,616]

Both Frieri and Madson have had great success in set-up roles before, so it's not like they can't handle it if that's their role. I'm sure Madson wants to get a shot at closing (and a larger payday next off-season if he can stay healthy), and I'll bet he will at some point. Scioscia is a born tinkerer.

But Bod, do you trust someone coming off TJ surgery with who-knows-what kind of control to close out your games?

Hence, he's not going to start out closing. He'll need to work his way up to set up duty and if opportunity knocks and he's pitching well, then Madson can close. It's Frieri's job, nobody knows anything about how Madson will perform.

[grimsfield 849]

Ryan Madson (elbow) struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Monday in his first rehab appearance with High-A Inland Empire.

Advice: Madson also notched the save. The veteran right-hander will likely pitch in another rehab game on Wednesday, but could be activated from the disabled list later this week. Ernesto Frieri will remain the closer for now, but Madson could work his way into the closer role down the line.

That's gotta be good news if you've been holding onto him. They have him pitching the 9th in rehab and it looks like he can still pitch.

[GretzGretzky 343]

Probably wouldn't slot him in until he proves his control.

I do think the Angels want him to close only because they paid him to do so. I personally wouldn't remove Frieri because it's working, but just seems to be how these things work.

But anyway, who knows if he can even pitch successfully at first...

[prowlers 43]

Thank god my league counts holds. Having drafted him and sticking him on the IR all year, at least his return is finally commencing. I expect him to be the 8th inning guy for a couple weeks initially. However the A's need to get him opportunities. Should both he and Frieri be solid, i can't see their roles changing. That will be determined on it's own.