Brewers to Stick with Gagne as Closer
As per Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin says that the team has no plans to take closer Eric Gagne out of his current role, despite his struggles this season. On Sunday againt the Houston Astros, Gagne managed to blow a league-leading 5th save of this early 2008 season, while surrendering 2 runs in an eventual Brew Crew loss in extra innings. Despite that, however, Gagne is sporting 9 saves, so it’s not all terrible. A 1.70 WHIP and .382 opponent’s batting average is nothing to write home about though. In fact, *those* numbers are terrible.
When pressed about whether or not Gagne will be moved from the closer’s role, Melvin said, “There’s no magic number (of blown saves). If they are consecutive, that’s when you get worried. You stay with a closer as long as you can. If a hitter slumps for six weeks, you stay with him. Closers go in slumps, too. You give him the benefit of the doubt for now.” If you recall, the Brewers gave Gagne a 1-year, $10 million deal this past offseason.
Filed under: Milwaukee Brewers
This one might have gone down as one of the biggest FLEECES of the off season on the part of Gagne. He showed little the latter part of ‘07 and has been up in the zone this season also getting blasted.
I wonder how many headaches he has caused Bob Melvin?
I hear Melvin’s gone through six bottles of Advil already, John. I completely agree with you; this signing was not smart from the Brewers perspective. I know he has the credentials, but $10 million? For a guy who IMPLODED in Boston last year? I don’t think so. David Riske is perfectly capable of handling the closer’s job; I was very disappointed when the Mets opted not to seriously go after him in free agency. Gagne and GuillerNO Mota were bad moves for the Brew Crew, especially the former.
David Riske? ehh…
It is a 1 year deal though. which was part of the reason for the overpay. it makes a little more sense then the alternatives IMHO.
still though, nothing’s going right for the Brewer’s right now and that’s bad news for a historically bad second half team.