Girardi may use multiple closers

BY CLARK SPENCER

cspencer@MiamiHerald.com

 

PORT ST. LUCIE - The next closer for the Marlins might be two-headed.

 

Manager Joe Girardi said there's a chance, without a clear-cut candidate for the position, that he might ''mix and match,'' using one reliever in the closer's role one night and someone else the next time the situation arises.

 

''I may not necessarily have a closer [per se] when we leave [spring training],'' Girardi said. ``Obviously, you don't like to do that, but if there's not someone that's strictly standing out, then we may not do that [designate one person for the job].''

 

The Marlins went into last season believing Guillermo Mota would be their ninth-inning specialist. But Todd Jones ended up with the job and finished with 40 saves, which revived his career and landed him a two-year contract with the Detroit Tigers.

 

Girardi said he has been impressed with the performance of the Marlins' relief candidates this spring but hasn't made any decisions. Veteran Joe Borowski and rookie Travis Bowyer entered spring training as leading candidates for back-end bullpen spots, but the rest of the relief cast is uncertain.

 

Bowyer didn't leave such a strong impression Saturday, though.

 

After taking over for starter Jason Vargas in the fifth inning, Bowyer gave up five runs to the Mets on a pair of walks, two doubles and a three-run homer to David Wright -- all with two outs.

 

''They scored 10 runs with two outs,'' Girardi said after the Mets inflicted all their damage off the Marlins' bullpen in a 10-6 victory.

 

Girardi said the Marlins could start the season with five or six relievers, depending on whether he elects to go with 12 or 13 position players.

 

''They're all very close,'' Girardi said of the long list of relief candidates. ``There's going to be a lot of tough decisions to be made. You hope they start to separate a little bit.''

 

One potential problem: The Marlins don't have an experienced left-handed reliever.

 

As for the closer:

 

''I may feel that a couple of guys are capable of doing it,'' Girardi said. ``Maybe one of them is a young guy, and I may not want to put him into too many situations too early where he's closing every game.''

 

JACOBS VS. LEFTIES

 

Mike Jacobs is trying to show he can hit lefties as well as right-handed pitchers. He battled Mets left-hander Matt Perisho through an 11-pitch at-bat before flying out to deep right-center.

 

''I definitely believe I can hit lefties,'' said Jacobs, the Marlins' lefty-swinging first baseman.

 

There is some thought the Marlins might platoon Jacobs and Wes Helms, a right-handed hitter.

 

3 LEFTY STARTERS?

 

Girardi said he would have ''no problem'' filling out a starting rotation with three left-handers. Southpaw Dontrelle Willis is a lock, and fellow lefty Jason Vargas, who faced the Mets on Saturday, is all but assured a spot.

 

The wild card is lefty Scott Olsen, who has pitched impressively this spring. Olsen has allowed no runs and only a pair of hits in two outings covering five innings.

 

''Everyone's looking for lefties, usually, and we could have three,'' Girardi said. ``I'm taking the best guys.''

 

There's also a chance the Marlins will dangle Olsen as trade bait in order to acquire an everyday outfielder, with speedy Tampa Bay center fielder Joey Gathright considered a potential target.

 

Also notes on Willingham's progress:

EXTENDED LOOK

 

The Marlins are giving Josh Willingham extensive playing time behind the plate, so much so that Matt Treanor hasn't made a start this spring.

 

''It's a weird situation,'' Treanor said.

 

The Marlins are trying to determine whether Willingham can handle the catching assignment from a defensive standpoint, and can always go to the fallback plan of placing him in left field in order to keep his bat in the lineup.

 

Willingham has gone 7 for 15. Miguel Olivo has started at catcher on the days Willingham hasn't.

 

Treanor has options remaining, but Willingham has exhausted all of his, meaning Treanor would be the more likely candidate for a demotion to the minors.

 

Girardi said he has liked what he has seen from Willingham at catcher.

 

''We've loved what he's done behind the plate, and we're happy with what he's doing,'' Girardi said. ``That battle will go down to the end.''

Perisho threw 11 pitches and didn't walk a player? Weird.

IMO having two closers usually means you don't have one.

No on the two closers.. that never works...

 

And don't trade Olsen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, how's about no closer? Don't reserve a player for the 9th if he's best suited for a situation in the 8th, 7th or 3rd inning of the game you're playing.

He'll likely just play the match-ups....ground baller when he needs a double play, lefty-lefty or righty-righty match ups, etc. That's why Girardi will need an extra arm in the pen, as the guys will be called upon more often to face 1 or 2 batters depending upon the situation.