September 30, 2008 Joey Devine, who ended the season with a 0.59 the second lowest in baseball history for a hurler with 40 innings pitched, Buck O'Brien had a 0.38 mark in 1911, may or may not end up as the A's closer in 2009, according to the The Mercury News. "The idea that you have three guys that can pitch the ninth inning and that at some point all three might, I actually think that's a great way to run a bullpen," GM Billy Beane said.
Our View:The two others involved in the mix are obviously Huston Street and Brad Ziegler, and though Devine wasn't in the mix this season with only one save, he would appear to be operating with the best stuff of the trio at this point.
September 21, 2008 Joey Devine picked up his first save of the season on Sunday working a scoreless inning against the Mariners.
Our View:On this day Devine closed and was set up by Brad Ziegler, a reversal of the roles the players have filled for the past month or so. Though Zielger set the world on fire with his scoreless inning streak of 39.1 innings, it is Devine who is currently working on the scoreless streak having failed to permit a run in 21.2 innings since the All-Star break.
September 14, 2008 Joey Devine pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Sunday to puck up his sixth win of the year for the Athletics.
Our View:In 19 appearances since the All-Star break, Devine has 17 K in 18.2 innings without allowing a single run (that's a 0.00 ERA folks). Toss in a 0.54 WHIP and you simply have one of the most dominating relievers in the AL at the moment.
September 9, 2008 Joey Devine pitched a spotless seventh inning and improved to 5-1 with a win over the Tigers on Tuesday. The reliever has allowed only two hits over his last 15.2 innings.
Our View:Devine remains in a setup role, but it'll be interesting to see what happens over the offseason and into next spring. Huston Street, Brad Ziegler, and Devine may all end up competing for the ninth inning role in 2009 - even though Ziegler currently holds the spot.
July 27, 2008 Joey Devine, who is recovering from an elbow strain, will pitch at Triple-A Sacramento on Monday and Thursday, according to the SF Chronicle.
Our View:Barring a setback, it is possible he can be activated from the DL next weekend. Also worth noting, if Huston Street is traded, Devine would be a top candidate to inherit the closer's role.
