2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[dave knight]

Motte is more of a middle reliever unless he can improve his control significantly.

[fezzik]

I think Motte will be fine and remain closer, but it sounds like I'm in the minority.

[Steve-o]

As expected, Matt Lindstrom will close, but he won't be used on consecutive days, pairing with Leo Nuñez for the time being.

This thread is cluttered with less useful information, therefore becoming more and more difficult to read.

[Curtis Pride]

Motte is more of a middle reliever unless he can improve his control significantly.

???

He has 56 walks in 165 innings in the minors.

[Wright2Reyes]

Motte has a bad outing and all of a sudden he should be demoted? what if Motte strikes out the side in his next appearance?

It was one game, why not wait until at least his second or God forbid, a week before people run him out of town?

[Yoda]

Motte has a bad outing and all of a sudden he should be demoted? what if Motte strikes out the side in his next appearance?

It was one game, why not wait until at least his second or God forbid, a week before people run him out of town?

Well LaRussa never committed to Motte in the first place. Plus blowing a save and losing to the lowly Pirates in your season opener doesn't exactly help your case if your job was shaky to begin with.

[Dan Lambskin]

Motte has a bad outing and all of a sudden he should be demoted? what if Motte strikes out the side in his next appearance?

It was one game, why not wait until at least his second or God forbid, a week before people run him out of town?

Well LaRussa never committed to Motte in the first place. Plus blowing a save and losing to the lowly Pirates in your season opener doesn't exactly help your case if your job was shaky to begin with.

i agree...if it's a proven veteran blowing a save it's one thing, a rookie who was essentially in a 3 way battle blowing the game...the hook could be quick indeed

[TheBambino]

Whats the chances Perez steps in? Which would you rather gamble on taking the job... Downs from Ryan or Perez from Motte?

[Curtis Pride]

Perez is hurting and rehabbing. And he's no more reliable than Motte.

I'd absolutely take a flier on Downs before Perez.

[BitterDodgerFan]

at the end of spring, la russa said he won't name an exclusive closer but he said after motte, franklin, kinney would be in the mix. so i suppose franklin and kinney are next in line.