Exit Poll: Who Closes
TOWER GROVE — A few hours after pitching coach Dave Duncan agreed to a contract for the 2009 season, I asked him if the biggest question facing the Cardinals pitching staff this offseason was the ninth inning, and just who was going to handle it.
“I think so,” he said.
As long as there has been the modern model of the closer, manager Tony La Russa and Duncan have preferred to build their bullpen around that ninth-inning arm, the man with the stuff and guts to close out a game. Colleague Joe Strauss has often illustrated how the Cardinals, most often, have gone where Jason Isringhausen has taken them. The years he’s struggled or been absent — 2003 and 2008 — the Cardinals have not made the postseason. (Of course, 2006 being the exception.) There is little doubt that his inconsistency early this past season and injury later in the season was a tipping point for the Cardinals’ bullpen woes.
Think of the bullpen like a Jenga tower.
The closer is at the bottom. Pull him out and, at best, the tower is only wobbly.
Often it collapses.
Both Duncan and general manager John Mozeliak said they hope to reach spring training with an answer for their ninth-inning vacancy, though internally the Cardinals are also braced to have a “competition” or “interim” closer when spring training starts. With that in mind, so begins a series of blog entries — a flex of this new and well-received technology here at “Blog Zone” — EXIT POLLS. Vote below for you think should be closing come April 2009. Setup man Ryan Franklin is not listed because Duncan and others have said the preference is to have Franklin handle the eighth inning.
Loading …More EXIT POLLS to follow. If you have a suggestion one for please write me at dgoold@post-dispatch.com.
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And please do run some Google searches today on George Kissell. Find stories about him, read things he did. Check out the past blogs about him. He devised and promoted some of the defensive plays and fundamental drills that the Cardinals still use — and will always use. To borrow from La Russa: I’ve had the opportunity to meet many great people in baseball, and Kissell is tied for first with the best of them. There was nobody better to talk baseball with …
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
Perez was always seen as the “closer of the future” he showed he can get big leaguers out and that he gives as much heartache as Izzy used too, but I still think he is the best option. I wouldn’t advertise him as the closer nor would I advertise an option competition but I would use him through Spring Training and if he falters start using someone else (Motte, Franklin, Springer, Kinney) we have lots of internal options of people that have the closer attitude and I think a few that have the stuff as well.
I don’t really have a good feel for what is going to happen with Russ Springer. Is it certain that he will retire, or will he return to the Cardinals? With TLR giving him the ball to close out the game against the Reds in the final game of the season sort of made it seem like he was going to call it quits. Just wonder how much he has left? If he returns, considering TLR’s past history with being rather cautious with young players, there is no reason why he wouldn’t be a likely canidate to close. Thoughts on Springers future?
Why spend to much money on either K-Rod or Fuentes, when you have young players with lively arms and the potential to dominate? why give a big name a huge contract when you have equally cheap production, and a group of guys just waiting to have a chance to showcase their stuff. That is where TLR differs in mindset with Mo and Luhnow. Sure there will be ups and downs when you throw a young closer out there, but for guys like Perez, Motte, and K-mac to reach their full potential you have to give them a shot to gain expirence.
Cardinals should go the trade route and deal for someone with a big upside.We so often trade for 30 somethings who seem to have big contracts and injury issues. I mentioned to Gordo that we should trade Perez and prospects for Soria from KC (41 saves)We could also go after Greinke to fill our starter needs. Two young guys with lots of upside potential and inexpensive to boot. There are other young arms out there but these two come to mind first.
Seems to me that Kansas City and Milwaukee make for interesting trade partners — what with Prince Fielder nearing arbitration (and the club already making the commitment to Ryan Braun) and the Brewers in need of a closer like Soria or a starter like Greinke. Or both.
Motte and Perez need to develop off speed pitches and have command of them if they are going to be lights out closers. I believe they can do that. But they have not commanded it yet. That is why I voted to get that LEFTHANDER named Fuentez. As for any hopes of getting Grenke from KC, I don’t think that is going to happen. I live in the vicinity of KC and hear their sports talk radio. The talk is to tie up Grenke and their other blue chip players. They are beginning to do some things right and if they stay on the course they will be contending in the not so distant future.
Clearly you don’t have to be able to throw 96-100mph to close, but dang, it sure helps. F-Rod, ain’t happening $$$. Fuentes, maybe. Motte, only has one pitch. Perez is the clear favorite, has the moxy and the gas. He just needs to perfect that slide piece, which he should be able to do. Get Fuentes in as a lefty guy or 8th inning guy, then let him close if Perez faulters. We could do much worse.
As we reach the final hour of the workday, it’s neck-and-neck for second between (potential) free agent Brian Fuentes and in-house fireballer Jason Motte, a former catcher, just like the last guy who was closing for the Cardinals.
And, yes, Isringhausen has shown Motte how to throw the curveball.
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MOTT! He has the attitude, look, and fassssst ball. Throw a second pitch in there and forget it, door……….slammed!
Just want to put it out there I love Adam Wainwright in the rotation but he can close for the cardinals. If they can resign Looper it would free up Wainwright, I think that would be the best choice.
I agree with CW that Perez isn’t quite ready, so I think he should have shots, but that a veteran presence is available to mitigate the pressure of the role. If the question was “Who’s the closer in July?”, my answer is Perez. He’s clearly the guy.