April 30, 200521 yr Did y'all see Craig interviewing Jones after the game? Jones said "old man" (talking about himself) but Craig thought he was talking about Jack. Lol.
April 30, 200521 yr Of all the set-up guys, Jones has impressed the most so far. He has excellent movement on his fastball. Mecir has been pretty good and will likely be the 8th inning guy. Who knows, perhaps Bump is maturing enough to be able to handle semi-tough situations.
April 30, 200521 yr Mota to have ailing elbow examined By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com PHILADELPHIA -- Marlins closer Guillermo Mota complained of elbow inflammation before Friday night's game, and he will be evaluated by team doctor Dan Kanell in Miami on Saturday. The extent of the ailment is not clear, and manager Jack McKeon said Mota is being examined as a precautionary measure. The Marlins' bullpen recently suffered a blow when setup reliever Antonio Alfonseca was placed on the disabled list because of a stress fracture to his right elbow. Until Mota's status is determined, the closer role likely will fall to veteran Todd Jones. Jones logged his 187th career save on Friday, working 1 2/3 innings to hold off the Phillies in the Marlins' 6-4 win at Citizens Bank Park. Asked how long Mota could be out, McKeon responded: "I have no idea. They are doing it for precaution. We lost one guy [Alfonseca] because he wouldn't tell us. Now this guy tells us tonight that his elbow has got a little inflammation, so we're going to play it safe to be sure." Mota, a long-time setup reliever, was awarded the closer role after years backing up Eric Gagne in Los Angeles and Armando Benitez for the second half of the 2004 season in Miami. Mota last pitched on April 23, collecting a save against the Reds in Miami. The right-hander was at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for pregame warmups on Friday, but was sent back to South Florida after experiencing discomfort. Mota has appeared in 10 games this season, logging 9 2/3 innings. The former Dodger picked up his first save on April 22, also against the Reds. He has not pitched since last Saturday. "He had a little inflammation," McKeon said. "He reported it before the game that he had inflammation in his right elbow." Because the Marlins' starters have worked deep into games, getting relievers work has been an issue. Mota's first save opportunity came in the 17th game of the season. The lanky right-hander hadn't had the consistent 96 mph velocity on his fastball that he has shown in the past. But that isn't unusual for pitchers to build up arm strength as the season progresses. With Jones closing, the back of the bullpen now shapes up with Jim Mecir and Matt Perisho taking on more prominent setup roles. John Riedling, who opened the season on the disabled list, has made one appearance. The veteran is expected to see time in the seventh inning. Nate Bump also factors into setup situations. "We don't know if he's going to be gone a couple of days, a couple of weeks or what," Perisho said. "We're going to have to pick up the slack. We lost Alfonseca. We don't know how far we're going to have to go without Mo. Jonesy stepped up huge for us tonight. It's nice to have his back-end experience for situations like this. "Jim and I are going to have to bear down and get Jonesy the ball as long as Mota is gone. We had to do it last year a little bit without Benitez. We can do it again." Jones was a closer with the Tigers, logging a career-high 42 saves in 2000. But he has just four saves, counting Friday, since the 2002 season. "I think my question now is being able to handle the workload because when you're a closer, you can't have a day off," Jones said. "That's the only thing. I haven't been out there in a situation like that for so long. There is so much more adrenaline flowing and stuff that I remember I used to feel. We want [Mota] to come back, because we're a better team if he's down there at the end and we're in our regular spots." Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Link
April 30, 200521 yr The two scariest words to Major League pitchers: Dan Kanell. 758678[/snapback] I think "James Andrews" moreso.
April 30, 200521 yr The two scariest words to Major League pitchers: Dan Kanell. 758678[/snapback] I think "James Andrews" moreso. 758679[/snapback] I'd be inclined to agree with that. Oh, and just my 2-cents...did this really take anyone by suprise considering how bad Mota looked in S.T., and how much his velocity dipped from his usual 95-97? I just hope that he's ready to go soon.
April 30, 200521 yr Jones got bailed out by Rollins but he also made some BIG pitches against some tough batters in pressure spots. He's a vet, doesn't get rattled and obviously has the gonads to be a closer. He should be fine.
April 30, 200521 yr In a worst case scenario I would hope that Beinfest could pull a trade for possibly Ugi or Dotel. From what I understand Oakland is gonna be looking to move Dotel because they believe Street can be the man. I dont think Jones can be the man all season. All in all I am wishing the best for Mota.
April 30, 200521 yr In a worst case scenario I would hope that Beinfest could pull a trade for possibly Ugi or Dotel I don't want Dotel. I have no faith in that guy
April 30, 200521 yr In a worst case scenario I would hope that Beinfest could pull a trade for possibly Ugi or Dotel I don't want Dotel. I have no faith in that guy 758692[/snapback] if you are picking up dotel to be the closer...he sucks. if you are picking him up to the be the 8th inning guy...he's fine. then again dotel and mota i have always thought are the same player. and i know i said jones would be closer by the end of may...but i didnt mean like t his. damn. :plain
April 30, 200521 yr In a worst case scenario I would hope that Beinfest could pull a trade for possibly Ugi or Dotel I don't want Dotel. I have no faith in that guy 758692[/snapback] I dont think you give Dotel enough credit. The man has some nasty stuff. I want a closer that can strike people out at will. Last year Dotel had 72 Ks in 50 innings and only walked 18, he had a high ERA but it was the only year he had a high ERA. Dotel>Jones -- Would you atleast agree with that ?
April 30, 200521 yr i remember when jones use to close out games for the tigers and he was great as there closer. i trust him to close out the games till mota comes back but am not sold on mota being the closer, i dont know he just doesnt look like a closer to me
April 30, 200521 yr Author In a worst case scenario I would hope that Beinfest could pull a trade for possibly Ugi or Dotel I don't want Dotel. I have no faith in that guy 758692[/snapback] I dont think you give Dotel enough credit. The man has some nasty stuff. I want a closer that can strike people out at will. Last year Dotel had 72 Ks in 50 innings and only walked 18, he had a high ERA but it was the only year he had a high ERA. Dotel>Jones -- Would you atleast agree with that ? 758694[/snapback] No need to panic and give up the farm for Dotel already though
April 30, 200521 yr We'll be ok with Jones. Need Bump to continue to pitch well becuase he is going to start seeing the 8th innings more than likely. And at least Reidling is back too. Elbow inflammation is never good. Hopefully it will only be a week or two before he is back. Be nice if we could get a couple friendly complete games from our starters.
April 30, 200521 yr In a worst case scenario I would hope that Beinfest could pull a trade for possibly Ugi or Dotel I don't want Dotel. I have no faith in that guy 758692[/snapback] I dont think you give Dotel enough credit. The man has some nasty stuff. I want a closer that can strike people out at will. Last year Dotel had 72 Ks in 50 innings and only walked 18, he had a high ERA but it was the only year he had a high ERA. Dotel>Jones -- Would you atleast agree with that ? 758694[/snapback] dotel cannot close though....at least not consistently.
April 30, 200521 yr :w00t Lidge :mischief2 758763[/snapback] ummm... Good Luck with that one, if you're suggesting a trade He's been downright filthy since becoming the closer there. Probably the best closer in the MLB, IMO.
April 30, 200521 yr :w00t Lidge? :mischief2 758763[/snapback] ummm... Good Luck with that one, if you're suggesting a trade He's been downright filthy since becoming the closer there. Probably the best closer in the MLB, IMO. 758765[/snapback] :mischief2 I will work something out
April 30, 200521 yr :w00t Lidge? :mischief2 758763[/snapback] ummm... Good Luck with that one, if you're suggesting a trade He's been downright filthy since becoming the closer there. Probably the best closer in the MLB, IMO. 758765[/snapback] :mischief2 I will work something out 758766[/snapback] If you can get it done, more power to ya :lol
April 30, 200521 yr :w00t Lidge? :mischief2 758763[/snapback] ummm... Good Luck with that one, if you're suggesting a trade He's been downright filthy since becoming the closer there. Probably the best closer in the MLB, IMO. 758765[/snapback] :mischief2 I will work something out 758766[/snapback] If you can get it done, more power to ya :lol 758768[/snapback] I am thinking :headscratch Aguila for Lidge :mischief2 Sounds pretty fair dont you thing?
April 30, 200521 yr The good thing about this year is that we don't need a shutdown closer. Last year, there was Benitez and some MLB-quality middle men and some has-been junkballers. This year we have three quality relievers in Mota-Alfonseca-Jones. Sure, the closer situation becomes a bit fuzzy and none of them may not be able to perform the 0-out bases loaded heroics Benitez did last year. But it makes not only the final inning easier every single day, but also the 6th, 7th or 8th should McKeon need one of his bulldogs to shut down a rally. There's the slim chance one of them might flop. Relievers who don't have consistent roles to protect them (lefty specialists, 1-inning closers) tend to have volatile outings, but it's nice to know that there's more options this year. Plus the other end of the bullpen is much improved with more power arms. We can get through this. We have the arms! Bwhahaha. (Yeah, lame.)
April 30, 200521 yr This year we have three quality relievers in Mota-Alfonseca-Jones.758815[/snapback] Ummm, right now, isn't it just Jones? Spooneybarger will be back in the majors before Alfonseca, and god knows what's wrong with Mota.
April 30, 200521 yr Exactly right now. Last year our third option was...? The third option the year before that? Before that? Get the point now?
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