Todd Jones Is Not a Closer
Todd Jones was a good closer last year because he wasn't expected to be a closer. He's expected to be the closer on this team AND he has struggled nearly every time out. Tonight he blew a save against the lowly Minnesota Twins -- a team you have to beat nineteen times in a season.
I would like to see Fernado Rodney be the featured closer on the Tigers. Jones can be a good mentor for the young pitchers, but his days as a featured closer are over. Turn it over, Jimmy!
Bummer to lose tonight.
2 comments:
I AM reading your blog. Am I totally understanding the baseball stuff? Not really!!! But I'm liking your enthusiasm!
I am not a big Todd Jones as a closer fan myself, but, I think you need to give this some time to settle in. I trust Leyland, and the Tigers brought Jones in to close AND to be a leader in the bullpen. Given time, if Jones can't do the job and Rodney is still hot(OR watch out for Big Z, Leyland is using him in some tough situations), I am sure Leyland (and Jones) will not have a problem with a change in roles. If the Tigers are to make any kind of run this year, they need all there pitchers in the pen throwing well, including Jones and to have two or maybe three guys you can use as a closer is a great problem to have. I remember a fireside chat from a few years ago, where sometimes as a coach you have to allow an athlete to fail...you know how the story goes.
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