Its the ESPN jinx. They start talking about how good our bullpen is, and BAM, the bullpen starts struggling.

 

Then they write an article about how the Padres bats are struggling, and BAM, they score 7 runs.

1. Walks can be fixed with some sort of change in mechanics. That's what pitching coaches are for...look at Scott Olsen with some advice from Wiley (to work faster)...what he's been able to do thus far.

It's not that simple.

 

2. The fact that the opp. avg. isn't that high, says that if he tweaks his mechanics some more, and finds a way to throw strikes, he'll be good, again. Not as if he's Andrew Miller right now, where opponents are not only drawing walks, but hitting him, at will.

No, it says that his defense has been bailing him out and that he has been lucky enough to get double plays when appropriate. He's never really been a commanding pitcher. It is foolish to assume that an adjustment of mechanics is that easy. Also the fact that his strikeout numbers are down considerably is a strong indication that this could be the case. Gregg's opponent BA still puts him in the bottom third for MLB pitchers with 3 or more saves. Again, keep digging.

 

3. It's not even mid-May. Eric Gagne has blown 4 saves...he still has a closer's job. Kerry Wood has not done well in save situations...he still has his. The best closer in the league last year (J.J. Putz) has an ERA of about 9, with a couple of blown saves, himself. Takashi Saito blew a couple early in the season...he's one of the best, as well. All those guys have their jobs. It's early.

Your point is? I couldn't care less. Since when do we manage our team in a manner that models other MLB teams, when possibly wrong? I haven't fully analyzed the talent in each of those respective teams, but it is foolish to make a connection between the two.

 

What does that have to do with Gregg?

 

Again you are making this absurd assumption that a conversion of saves is the definitive measure of a pitching performance. Sherrill is not a good pitcher and he only has a lot of saves because the Orioles offense and pitching staff granted him those opportunities. You are undermining the sorry talent that exists within the organization that forces him to pitch in those situations. Hence, your "they still have jobs" argument is completely irrelevant and ultimately fallacious.

 

Agreed, that the closer is not necessarily the best reliever on the team. However, the Marlins have been habitually engaging in a large number of close games in the ninth inning and Gregg has been performing terribly in those situations (1.75 WHIP), and has nearly lost several games. The point in this is not necessarily calling for a demotion, rather than simply acknowledging that he is not the pitcher most people mistake him for. We have worse performing relievers in Tankersley and Lindstrom at the moment.

 

However, I would ask Gonzalez to detach himself from the closer mindset and think twice (if appropriate by available rested arms) about sending Gregg into a game where the deficit for either team is run or less.

 

Kensing and Gregg could easily interchange roles. Gregg likely has the ability to go multiple innings, if necessary, as that's how the Angels used him. And it is quite pointless to assume that some of our other relievers could not thrive or match Gregg's performance in the closer's spot. When we acquired Gregg he wasn't a very commanding presence but his abilities were drastically inflated by having the luxury of pitching at the tail end of the game and only being asked to get three outs from various positions in the opponent's batting order.

 

He has been struggling so much that his shortcomings are being exposed despite having one of the easier tasks out of the pen. I simply suggest to use him more cautiously in close game situations and if necessary, be less hesitant to pull him of he starts walking batters and letting men get on base. Again, I'm not necessarily demanding that he be demoted. Rather, just acknowledging that he has been abysmal this season and that Gonzalez should be aware of this when he puts him in situations where the game is on the line.

Its the ESPN jinx. They start talking about how good our bullpen is, and BAM, the bullpen starts struggling.

 

Then they write an article about how the Padres bats are struggling, and BAM, they score 7 runs.

I know this is meant to be facetious but Gregg has allowed baserunners in all of his last seven outings since April 16th. In five of those seven outings he's allowed two or more baserunners, so obviously this has been a lingering problem for quite some time.

I agree in principle with ya penguin. Gregg is not the closer many seem to think he is. But not with the reasoning you used to come to your conclusion.

 

Now, (cue the Beach Boys) wouldn't it be nice... To have a guy taking the mound in the 9th with basically one pitch; a triple digit screamer that makes the catcher flinch just thinking about and makes us fans think it's safe to start heading to our cars instead of a closer that has us on the edge of our seats til the final call. But Gregg never was that type of guy. I have no problem if he uses his defense to get outs, as long as he gets them.

Closers don't have to throw 100 mph, they just have to get people out.

Todd Jones is a perfect example. He wasn't the most talented reliever when he came here, but that season you just knew he was going to come in and throw strikes. I think that was the lowest WHIP of his entire career actually, so probably too much to expect that, but still...

 

 

Gregg's walking batters at a higher rate than he was with Anaheim, for whatever reason. Maybe he's being too careful with his pitches in the closer role, or just needs to trust his stuff more. Whatever it is, seeing a closer walk a lot of batters just irritates the hell out of me.

We'll see what happens guys...as I said, el penguino...if it was up to me, Gregg would be gone by July, anyway.

 

I still think Gregg is still worthy of a closer's spot unless he blows some (in save situations).

And the fact that his defense bails him out...? C'mon...Willingham bailed him out in Washington. But also consider...he'd be 6/6 if it weren't for Hanley making an error costing him 2 unearned runs, as well.

 

The Marlins defense is one of the worst, if not the worst, in the majors (despite the fact, it has actually improved a bit).

I agree in principle with ya penguin. Gregg is not the closer many seem to think he is. But not with the reasoning you used to come to your conclusion.

 

Now, (cue the Beach Boys) wouldn't it be nice... To have a guy taking the mound in the 9th with basically one pitch; a triple digit screamer that makes the catcher flinch just thinking about and makes us fans think it's safe to start heading to our cars instead of a closer that has us on the edge of our seats til the final call. But Gregg never was that type of guy. I have no problem if he uses his defense to get outs, as long as he gets them.

I don't expect anyone to throw triple digits.

 

However, allowing baserunners in seven consecutive ninth inning appearances is completely unacceptable. I'm merely saying that those shouting "give Gregg a break!" clearly haven't been watching him pitch.

 

If he keep this is up, the save conversion rate will inevitably worsen.

I agree in principle with ya penguin. Gregg is not the closer many seem to think he is. But not with the reasoning you used to come to your conclusion.

 

Now, (cue the Beach Boys) wouldn't it be nice... To have a guy taking the mound in the 9th with basically one pitch; a triple digit screamer that makes the catcher flinch just thinking about and makes us fans think it's safe to start heading to our cars instead of a closer that has us on the edge of our seats til the final call. But Gregg never was that type of guy. I have no problem if he uses his defense to get outs, as long as he gets them.

I don't expect anyone to throw triple digits.

 

However, allowing baserunners in seven consecutive ninth inning appearances is completely unacceptable. I'm merely saying that those shouting "give Gregg a break!" clearly haven't been watching him pitch.

 

If he keep this is up, the save conversion rate will inevitably worsen.

 

That I totally agree with. But I guess you missed my point, and probably my fault for not expanding on that thought. I'm not neccesarily saying I want a guy that throws triple digits, only that I would prefer a guy that dosen't have me on the edge of my seat whenever he enters a game. I've been saying the same things since I saw him pitch in ST. He isn't throwing strikes. And I could actually care in the least if the outs are by Ks or by defense. If a pitcher's strong point is getting hitters to hit crap and let your defense make the play, then throw strikes and do that. Don't try to get fancy. Just seems like Gregg is over thinking himself right now.