Is the "save" stat overrated in baseball? Does this also make the closer position overrated??

Question

I personally think that the stat of a "save" is way overrated.

If its the 8th inning with TEAM A winning by one and they bring in a reliever with the bases loaded 1 out and he gets a double play grounder he gets a HOLD. Then the closer comes in with none on gets 3 outs and gets the "save." Now didn't the save come in the 8th with the bases loaded jam?

What do you all think? Please give a thorough explaination and answer.

Answer 1

No. A good closer is sooo important to winnning. I think a closers salary is overtrated like franky, but his role is still crucial. At the end of a season 1st place is often decided by just a few games, and that differece can relate back to the closers blown saves

Answer 2

People have talked about this. The reason it wouldn't work though is because it would be partly based on opinion. There would be no way to ensure which situation got the "save". They want to make stats fact based and not opinionated.

Answer 3

yea its a little overatted but who cares

Answer 4

I believe the role of the modern-day "closer" is over-rated....to suggest that a guy like Joe Borowski or Todd Jones is in the same class as Mariano Rivera is plain nuts...but thanks to fantasy geeks and clever agents, there are actually open debates...

I tend to agree with Goose Gossage in that the guy who comes in in the 6th with bases loaded and stops the bleeding deserves the save over the guy who comes in to start the 9th and gets his three outs.

All that said, I do understand the need for the "Save" stat.  In salary negotiations, teams demand tangible reasons to meet a players demands.  The "save" has allowed short relievers to argue their worth in relation to high paid starters.

Since elite closers now command the pay of elite starters, it is now the "middle relievers" are  the "cheap" guys in the pen...the rise in the "hold" stat is the latest effort to offer a "measurable" stat on which to base pay.

Answer 5

This is one of my big peeves. The save needs to be revamped.  When these guys have 30 saves and an ERA of 4.50 and people are raving about them something needs to be rethought. The save is the most overrated stat in sports.

I remember when Schmoltz was relieving, he comes in with two men on and two outs and a three run lead, he ends up giving up three hits, two runs and finally gets the third out and then the announcers were raving that he got his 40th save and I was shaking my head wondering if they even watched the same game I did.

Answer 6

Truthfully yes. I agree with that.

Answer 7

Yes and no because Yes saves now a days are 3 batters and that's it and once in a while 6 outs the max, but at the same time not everybody can close , some pitchers cant handle that pressure

Answer 8

I think it is somewhat, not totally, overrated. I say this because you can only have as many saves as you get opportunities from your team. Like, say Closer A is 1-4, with a 4.10 ERA, but has 42/47 Saves, he gets more recognition than Closer B, who is 2-1, with a 2.20 ERA and 19/20 saves.

Closer B can be a much better pitcher, but Closer A got more attention and praise only because his team gives him that many save chances.

That being said, you still need to be relied on to go out and finish the game and protect the lead given to you.

Answer 9

i dont sometimes you have to come in the 9th  inning with a 1 run lead and you have to face the top of the linup and it is hard i dont know if you have been in that spot but i have a lot of times and i have started a lot of times and it is easyer to start  then it is to close i am 18-4 as a starter and i have 8 saves and i am in the 6th grade

Answer 10

Yes thanks

you my friend are a very inteligent man.

So as im sitting back watching espn i see the yankee hater steve phillips and he says that fransisco rodriguez should be in the discusion for MVP & CY Young

That is just completly idiotic im not trying to be a K-rod Hater Cuz i love him but he if actualy having his worst season is you look at opps batting average and his k's/9 have been going down he is not even having the best season of a closer in the american league  i can name 5 better closers going on stats alone

yes there is a common misunderstandment were the 9th inning is more important then a 8th inning were like you said he is comming into a bases loaded that can determin the game right there and is more importnant then coming in during the 9th while most os K-Rods saves has been of the 3 run variety.

billy beane is a genius before he had a good closer with huston street he would just plug in a average pitcher like billy kotch orr jason isrinhauser

isringhauser has one good year with a 2 era the other years he has was 4 era's and he was averaging 40+ saves

Answer 11

I guess middle relievers and setup men would agree with you. However closers have a tough job. Not any player can come in a close out a game.