July 16, 2008
Closer Loss
The Dodgers lose Takashi Saito to an elbow injury:
General manager Ned Colletti said it is difficult to replace a closer.
"As far as trading for a closer, it's a lot like trying to acquire a shortstop - it's a premium position and most teams don't carry an excess," Colletti said from the All-Star game in New York.
Manager Joe Torre said Sunday that Jonathan Broxton would be the team's closer until further notice. But Torre was unsure who would take over for Broxton as setup man.
Am I missing something, or doesn't Hong-Chih Kuo post numbers nearly identical to Saito? Since Kuo pitches mostly in the sixth and seventh inning, wouldn't it be less upsetting to the set roles of the bullpen to move Hong-Chih to the closer spot and find someone else to work the sixth? It should be easier to acquire a third or fourth reliever than a closer.
Posted by David Pinto at
07:40 AM
|
Injuries
|
TrackBack (0)
This is Ned Colletti we're talking about. The Ned Colletti response is "Well, Kuo just doesn't have what it takes mentally to stand up to the rigors of the ninth inning job. We need an established man back there. A guy with real fortitude in his testicles, fire in his belly, and ice in his veins. And enough insulation to keep the fire from melting the ice."