Is Gonzo Ready To Close?

Written by Jonathan on February 28, 2009 – 12:42 pm

Mike Gonazales spent most of last season working on rebuilding his arm strength after returning from Tommy John surgery in June.  He is slated for the role of closer for the Braves; a spot where the club has lacked stability and the presence of a true closer over the past few seasons.  In 33.2 innings pitched last season, Gonzo allowed 26 hits, 16 earned runs and struck out 44.

In his first Spring Training appearance on Thursday, Gonzales allowed two runs while recording two outs.  On a 20-pitch limit for the appearance, he faced five batters, striking out Yordanny Ramirez to end his outing.  His fastball topped out right around 90 mph, which isn’t quite up to the power that we have seen out of him in the past.  But Gonzo and Bobby Cox aren’t worried.  Gonzales says his arm feels great and that he had no pain in the elbow and to look for the harder stuff out of him towards the end of Spring Training.

We’ll see how Gonzales pans out in the closer role this season and just hope he stays healthy.  I don’t really know how our options look to fill in for him should he make a trip to the DL.  It adds a little bit more to the game to have a closer that you’re expecting and waiting to see come into to finish off the game.  The question is, will the Braves be able to have him in a position to have save opportunities in 2009?


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Arbitration Avoided For Gonzalez

Written by Jonathan on January 20, 2009 – 2:16 am

The Braves made a move yesterday to avoid arbitration for the 2009 season with Mike Gonzalez by signing him to a one-year, $3.45 million contract.  The Braves are looking for Gonzalez to serve as the closer for the 2009 season, filling a position that has lacked consistency and stability over the past few years.  Last season alone, Soriano, Smoltz, Gonzalez and a host of other fill-ins took their shots at the role.  While Gonzalez isn’t the true definition of a power closer, a constant figure in the position will prove well for the Braves.

After returning from Tommy John surgery in the middle of the 2008 season, Gonzalez had 14 saves in 16 opportunities while striking out 44 in his 33.2 innings pitched.  Of a little concern however is the 6 home runs that he issued in that work as well.  His 4.28 ERA last season isn’t exactly what you want to see out of a closer and hopefully this season he can get back around and under his career average of 2.62.

While returning from surgery last season, Gonzalez struggled to find the full strength in his arm at times, but is hoping to regain the consistency in his arm through his work this offseason and the upcoming preseason.  He has always been a strikeout pitcher, with a 1.16 K per inning average and could prove to be a great asset down the stretch should the Braves continue to find themselves in the onslaught of one- and two-run games they did last season.

This leaves Casey Kotchman, Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur as the only three remaining arbitration-eligible players.  I’m hoping Gonzalez can pitch a consistent and injury-free season to help keep the bullpen on track.  It seems that the Braves develop injury issues at the closer position every season and the pen slowly degrades from there.  So are you happy to see Gonzalez locked in for the season to fill the closer role?  Who takes the reins should he develop any injuries throughout the season?


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