Cubs Close to Acquiring Aaron Heilman

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=14362:date=Jan 28 2009, 04:02 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Jan 28 2009, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=14359:date=Jan 28 2009, 03:00 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Jan 28 2009, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=14358:date=Jan 28 2009, 03:59 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Jan 28 2009, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=14357:date=Jan 28 2009, 02:57 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Jan 28 2009, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I hate having to keep defending Heilman, but he hasn't been a middle reliever - he's been a setup man. There is a difference.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What's the difference? 7th inning vs. 8th inning?
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Middle reliever connotes washed up starter or untested youth. Setup connotes upper tier reliever, typically pitching in high-pressure, late-inning situations.
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And what if you suck in the high-pressure, late-inning situations? Like...say...you put up an ERA over 5.00? Would he still be considered an "upper tier" reliever?
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Depends. Did you suck for just one year, immediately preceded by 3 consecutive dominant years; the entire time during which you had a K/9 near 9?

Because if so, then yes.