June 27, 200521 yr Florida - This makes six clubs in a row that have switched closers since the start of the season. Guillermo Mota, closing for the first time with Armando Benitez gone to San Francisco, had a 1.86 ERA through three weeks before going down with a sore elbow. He now finds himself in a setup capacity since Todd Jones has done so well filling in. Jones has added at least another year to his career with his performance so far, but he shouldn?t be thought of right now as a possibility for 2006. A healthy Mota is the Marlins? best reliever, something that should become clear during the second half of the season. Other than Mota, the Marlins lack any clear closer candidates for 2006. John Riedling has disappointed ever since the Reds tried to turn him into a starter in 2003. In his second full year as a pitcher, Chris Resop has settled in as the club?s top relief prospect. He?ll probably make his major league debut this season, but he may not be helpful until 2007. Randy Messenger has setup potential. The Marlins have been stocking up on pitching in the last couple of drafts, but they will likely keep buying and trading for relievers in 2006 and 2007. If Mota has more elbow problems and the Marlins decide he?s not a long-term closer, they?ll probably pay for a free agent in the offseason. Closer prediction: 2006 Mota, 2007-08 outside organization http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/...t=MLB&column=14 For those interested, they also do this with every other team in the N.L.
June 27, 200521 yr Alfonseca has no chance of reaching the innings required to extend his contract, but the club very likely could want him back.
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