MONDAY MORNING UPDATE
The events of Sunday — Brandon Morrow saying he wants to close; Tyler Walker being released — have changed the closer picture, but not our desire to see how you feel. So be sure to vote. Below is what I wrote about the closer picture on Saturday night:
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None of the pitchers with designs on the Mariners’ closer role has done a lot in spring training to show they can do the job.
Mark Lowe’s sinker isn’t sinking, but it usually doesn’t in the dry Arizona air. Roy Corcoran has the heart of a lion but a sore arm has put him behind. Tyler Walker has closing experience with the Giants, but we’ve barely seen him because of thigh and back problems at spring training. Randy Messenger pitched well early but has been hit hard lately. And Miguel Batista, despite scaring the bejesus out of everyone with a horrible 2008 season, did have 31 saves in 2005.
There’s also David Aardsma, the hard-throwing right-hander who has been the most consistently successful reliever in camp but has never saved a game in the big leagues.
And, of course, there’s the curious case of Brandon Morrow, who won’t be ready to begin the season as a starter but has a 97 mph fastball and experience as the Mariners’ closer last year when J.J. Putz was hurt.
Manager Don Wakamatsu doesn’t like the closer-by-committee approach, and he’ll spend the final week of spring training with GM Jack Zduriencik to decide who’ll be The Guy in the ninth inning.
That’s where you can help the Mariners’ braintrust. Cast your vote in the following poll and show the Mariners how you’d like to see them close games. And don’t be afraid to leave a comment or write your favorite to close if he isn’t on this list.
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