July 28, 2008
La Russa Spins
Ryan Franklin
Photo: Icon SMI
Tony La Russa blames Ryan Franklin's troubles on "jumbled roles." I guess that's La Russa's way of putting the blame on himself. I was watching an opponents broadcast of a Marlins game the other day, and the announcers were talking about the Florida relievers role. They quoted the pitching coach that the role of the relievers was to get outs whenever Fredi (Gonzalez) gave them the ball. If a pitcher can't get outs because he doesn't understand his role, then that pitcher doesn't really belong in the major leagues.
Franklin's problem is that he gives up too many home runs. For his career, he's allowed 30.0 home runs per 200 innings. On top of that, his strikeouts are low. So you're putting a pitcher in a save situation where lots of balls get put in play, and the pitcher tends to give up long flies. Is it any wonder he blows some games? Or many he's been distracted his whole career.
Posted by David Pinto at
07:37 AM
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Mariners fans have known this for years. Franklin really isn't very good. He's pitch-to-contact with flyball tendencies. Even when he's good, he's not very good, and I wouldn't trust him with a 1 or 2 run lead if I could help it.