Sunday, May 11, 2008

Gagne, Izzy lose closer jobs

A couple quick bullpen notes as most of the country celebrates a soggy Mother's Day washed away games in Detroit, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

  • Jason Isringhausen has been pulled as the Cardinals closer after blowing his fifth save of the year after giving up 3 hits and 2 runs in Milwaukee on Friday night. Izzy now has a 7.47 ERA and 1.72 WHIP after laying an egg for the fourth time since April 25.
    Fantasy spin: While Tony LaRusa says Isringhausen will still pitch important innings (just not the 9th), Ryan Franklin and Russ Springer will reportedly split the closing duties for anyone looking to pick up a few cheapies. For what it's worth, Franklin picked up the save on Saturday and Izzy had 16 save chances before getting yanked, so there's some value in both guys at this point.

  • Likewise, Brewers closer Eric Gagne blew his fifth save on Saturday, after giving up 3 hits and 2 ER to the Cardinals. After signing Gagne for $10 million in the offseason, Milwaukee's brass is undoubtedly feeling buyer's remorse as Gagne ERA sits at 6.89 with a 1.85 WHIP.
    Fantasy spin: The Brewers are being a little tight-lipped about who will take over, but conventional wisdom says it will either be former closer Salomon Torres or Guillermo Mota - or a combination of both, although Torres has more closer seasoning. Like Izzy, Gagne may regain his closer role, especially considering his price tag this year, so don't drop either guy unless you have to. I could see both finding their way back to the 9th inning.

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