Posted By:
Albie O'HanianI would vote for the Save. Some saves are far more valuable than others. Coming into a game in the ninth inning with a 3 run lead and retiring the side after giving up 2 runs should hardly be counted as a save.
As for strikeouts, there are times in a game where the pitcher virtually has to have a strikeout. A runner on third with less than 2 out, a runner on second with nobody out and a tie game.
When scouts evaluate pitchers they look favourable upon the abilities of the pitcher in terms of strikeouts. Most great closers in the game are strikeout pitchers who possess the ability to keep the ball out of play. Only a select few, Quisenberry, Tekulve, etc. have excelled in the closers role without being a strikeout pitcher. As other people have pointed out there are so many things that can happen when the ball is put in play.