if we use Perez, Motte, and Kinney in those tough spots even if that happens to be the ninth

is a marketing technique to make sure everyone tunes in for the full game, making sure those late inning advertisements are heard.

I don’t think it matters hugely – I tend to agree with Dan. Although he’ll be taking plenty of high-leverage situations, realistically TLR would be handing him those anyway as a set-up guy (i.e. he’d probably be taking 7th and 8th inning duties regardless), so it’s kinda meh.

Closers are over-rated. We’ll lose just as many games with Franklin giving up gophers in the 7th as we will with him giving them up in the 9th.

Personally, I’d rather use him as long-man (providing Kinney is OK and Motte makes the team) and occasional set-up when no-one else is available, but realistically he’s probably a set-up guy or closer in any case.

If he goes back to his (probably aberrantly low) 2007 walk rate, then he becomes a shut-down reliever again. Let’s not forget that that’s possible, too – in which case he’d be a real asset again, and probably as good as (if not better than) Perez.

He’s “in the mix”. I think if Perez continues to pitch reasonably well, it’ll be his job to lose.

   Wow, Franklin’s in the mix! Who woulda thunk it! Who really knows TLRs exact thinking here? My view is it really do not matter; the way Perez is talking and pitching – trying to get a little more bite on his slider ; the way Moltte is throwing 90+ strikes; and the way Franklin has been lights out; the rest of the division is looking at big trouble.
  I sort of like the idea that these three guys will be collectively available, in whatever roles, when the rubber meets the road.

Franklin doesn’t really see himself in the closer spot, per the articles and stuff, saying he has the experience in that role, and would fill in if necessary. It looks like he’s going about it with the right attitude. He’ll try his best, and if his best fits better in the 9th than anyone else, so be it. I personally think he’s still better suited for the setup role, even in this situation, but I’m glad he’s in the bullpen nonetheless. Ths bullpen is a hell of a lot younger, so it needs those veterans to lead it. I’ll miss Springer.

is Duncan saying that Franklin “is the best in the league in that role (set-up man)”, (parenthesis mine).

Did he forget the JJ Putz and Ryan Madsen are set-up men? Chad Qualls, Carlos Marmol, and Johnathan Broxton were also set up men last year, and were heads and shoulders better than Franklin is and has been in the past.

if we have a bunch of reasonably talented right-handers, there’s nothing wrong with having one guy pitch the seventh on Tuesday and the ninth on Thursday.

I’m really starting to think we should do away with the fixed bullpen roles and pitch to the actual batters coming up that inning and not the number in the box score.

I think saves are overrated. However, having a “good half” of the bullpen is not. Franklin isn’t a good half pitcher…He’s a long-man. Perez, Motte, Kinney, McClellan…those guys are good half types (assuming KMac doesn’t get pitched into the ground). Franklin should be a member of the Cardinals pen, just not as a high-leverage situation guy.

If Franklin is serving as our closer, that is an awfully good problem to have. Although not the best, he really didn’t do an awful job of closing last year. Also, that allows us to move Motte and Perez into more of the “fireman” roles. Under this scenario, we may very well have our best pitchers (Motte and Perez) in the most high-leverage situations.

New York writers do to feel better about their A-Rod situation?

Well trash Tony La Russa of course.

in case you haven’t read this article about Ludwick: link

He reported to spring training one pound heavier with 2.5 percent lower body fat.

who becomes the long reliever? If it’s Thompson, that means that one of Motte, Kinney, Perez and KMac is sent to the minors.

I guess they could use KMac as the swing man, but I think he is too good of a pitcher to be uses for 2-3 innings every 3rd or 4th day.

I am heading to Chicago the Saint Patrick’s day parade on Sunday. My biggest concern is I have no clue where to park without out getting anally raped. Can I park at the Train Station? My hotel is right off the M. I barely remember Chicago it has been years since I have been there.

he said the team is really now on board with the kids closing & is leaning towards a two headed closer till one of them proves they are the man.

of course i’m fighting a migraine today so i could have misheard what i heard. so you all just better listen for yourselves.

2 IP, 3Ks, 3 ground ball outs, 0 BB, 0 hits.

And counting.

Yadi with a bases loaded double to put PR ahead 2-1 over the Nederlands in the bottom of the 8th.

He doesnt seem to have that “Closers Mentality.” He whined A LOT and placed blame on the other guys on the team. He just doesnt seem like the kinda guy that says “give me the ball I lock this down.”