o boy. he was awful as a closer last year!

Where do you see that? Francisco is entering ST as the closer, and the likely replacement is Lyon. Parnell should not be the closer unless things go really badly.

TC said it and Francessa asked him to confirm.

Come opening day, I dont think he will be the closer. but i guess no one asked me...

well franky is already shut down...doesnt bode well for him

still, i think ultimately lyon gets the closer job (at least OD if franky isnt ready) and parnell slides into set up duty....

"Come opening day, I dont think he will be the closer. but i guess no one asked me."

Who would you want?

Parnell has the stuff to be a closer. 8K/9 inning, only .5 HR per 9, also a good K/BB ratio. He needs to get his head on right for those kinds of pressure situations.

I've watched this guy pitch from day one.They said the same thing about him as a starter,and he couldn't pull that off.A closer in another league maybe,but the N.L. already has his number.I can see Howard,Rollins,Zimmerman and Harper all licking there chops at the prospect of facing this guy in the 9th.Parnell is a middle reliever at best.

Actually I don't think he was that bad closing games last year. Previous years yes but last year he was actually decent in limited opportunities.

Parnell has the stuff to be a closer, but not the head. As I said in my first post, if its not Francisco I think it will be (should be) Lyon.

I don't think so.Parnell and Pelfrey are the same kinds of animals.Both had potential but lacked mental toughness.

Parnell>Pelfrey

For the sake of the team i hope he does perform well in the closer role,but i don't see it happening.Why was he removed from the closer role last year?

I can't stand guys lke Parnell, tons of ability, but unable to concentrate or get better. I wish he would develop a real breaking ball.

His best results came in the ninth last year.

Anyway, was our best reliever last year, and last three years. I don't like the idea of a closer - like using your best when you need to, not saving them for something that may never happen, but eh, at least this shows they at least value Parnell.

If he keeps his walk rate down, and continues to develop his breaking stuff, can be even better.

Parnell's ERA in the 9th inning last year was 1.90. He was also solid in the 7th and 8th innings.

He was pretty bad in early innings (6th and earlier).

Parnell thinks so, did you see the thick beard, hah

Amen to that. I think the whole "closer pitches the ninth" mentality has got to go. If the toughest part of the opposing lineup comes up in the 7th or 8th inning, you put your best pitcher on the mound against them. If that means your third best reliever pitches the ninth when it's the bottom of the order, so be it.

Free agents would be more fairly compensated if MLB abolished the meaningless "win," "save" and "hold" stats entirely.

Parnell saved 7 ,blew 5 with 18 holds.I like the 18 holds.