Who should close in St. Louis?

by g d johnson on Jan 2, 2012 1:56 PM EST

With the conclusion of the Pujols saga and the signing of Carlos Beltran, we can turn our eyes to the next important question for Cardinal fans, who will close in St. Louis? 2011 was a roller coaster for saves in St. Louis, starting with Franklin, ending with Motte, and Boggs, Sanchez and Salas bridging the gap.

The main contenders for the job (barring a free agent signing) are Salas and Motte. Motte had a nice run at the end of the season and is the favorite going into spring training but statistically there is very little difference between the two.

Motte 68IP, 63K, 2.25 ERA, .956 WHIP

Salas 75IP, 75K, 2.28 ERA, .947 WHIP

So who should have the job? I expect new manager Mike Matheny to let spring training decide who will get the job. Pay particular attention to the first few weeks of spring training games to see who is pitching the 9th inning. That will give us the best idea of who will start the regular season with the closer role.

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Shout-out to Eduardo Sanchez

Sanchez is only 22, put up good numbers when healthy last year and even grabbed a handful of Saves of his own in 2011.

by Scott Clarkson on Jan 2, 2012 2:22 PM EST reply actions

Gotta Be Motte

Unless they go out and sign Madson before the season starts, I’d assume it will be Motte. I was surprised they didn’t trade for Bell at the deadline last year. Guess it didn’t hurt them much.

by Kevin Boger on Jan 2, 2012 4:47 PM EST reply actions

Your quote . . . .

“Pay particular attention to the first few weeks of spring training games to see who is pitching the 9th inning. That will give us the best idea of who will start the regular season with the closer role.”

I don’t think that will have anything to do with it. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t remember MLB closers normally pitching in the 9th inning of spring training games. The guys in the game at that time are AA players at best & most of the MLB guys are gone by the middle of these ST games. I don’t think you can assume anything by which inning a pitcher works during March. I think I remember many closers pitching the 4th or 5th inning to ensure they are facing MLB talent.

The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.

by Savoy on Jan 3, 2012 3:01 PM EST reply actions

Most MLB teams will have their closer pitch the 9th on the days they are scheduled to pitch in spring training. It is unlikely that an established closer will pitch any inning other than the 9th. It may be done to get players used to a specific role. If Motte and Salas are schedued to pitch on the same day in ST and one of them pitch the ninth then he will likely be the closer in April.

by g d johnson on Jan 3, 2012 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

Not to pile on

But like Savoy mentioned most teams in the spring (at least in Fla) throw their closer in wherever they think they will have the opportunity to face MLB hitters…it wasn’t uncommon to see closers come in the game anywhere after the 2nd inning.

by jerzbravesboy24 on Jan 4, 2012 5:45 PM EST reply actions