Isringhausen

[DHonks]

mlbtraderumors mentions that if Izzy doesn't return to the Cards on a minor league deal, the Brewers are among the teams known to have an interest in him.

[Invader3K]

Sounds good to me. Veteran reliever with closing experience.

[JumpinMacFlash]

If all it takes is a minor league deal, then of course. Do it yesterday. Can't have too many pitchers.

[ILuvDaBush]

Who gets kicked off the 40?

[TheCrew07]

Nobody unless he would get called up if he's an NRI

[JohnBriggs12]

Since they were going to look at Mendoza, might as well take a look at Isringhausen. I think there still must be some concern over Riske's health.

[strawbossisevil]

Mendoza is no longer in the plans, he failed his physical FWIW.

[jjfanec]

Since they were going to look at Mendoza, might as well take a look at Isringhausen. I think there still must be some concern over Riske's health.

I dont think that is necessarily true. They lost Mota, Gagne, Shouse and Torres and they have to replay them somehow. Hoffman is a start but adding another arm would make a lot of sense even if Riske is healthy.

[JohnBriggs12]

Since they were going to look at Mendoza, might as well take a look at Isringhausen. I think there still must be some concern over Riske's health.

I dont think that is necessarily true. They lost Mota, Gagne, Shouse and Torres and they have to replay them somehow. Hoffman is a start but adding another arm would make a lot of sense even if Riske is healthy.

Starting 08, Gagne was the closer. That spot is now Hoffman's. Riske was the 8th inning guy. He's been replaced by Villanueva. Mota and Torres were the 6th-7th inning guys. They've been replaced by Riske and Julio. Shouse was the lone lefty. He's been replaced by Stetter. The pen is probably in as good a shape now as it was at the start of last year. The question marks are Riske and Julio, Riske because he's coming off injury and Julio because his inconsistent track record. Coffey and Dillard are in the mix too and they could always move McClung to a later inning role. Overall it's a decent looking pen.

 

If they brought in an Isringhausen and he looked good, and Riske looked healthy, I'd look for them to try to move Riske. To move Riske, they'd probably have to take someone else's relatively bad contract but that might not be a bad idea, especially if the thin, unimpressive backup OF group doesn't cut it.

[bjkrautk]

The collection of other teams' closers (Hoffman, Gagne, Julio, and possibly Isringhausen / C.Cordero) is starting to remind me - at least in concept - of the Rockies bullpen that helped carry them to the world series a few years ago.

 

Of course, Julio was on that team....and wasn't good enough to make the post-season roster (if memory serves), so it's only starting to remind me of that pen.

[ILuvDaBush]

Riske's closed out a few games as well. What's the totem pole now for closers on our team out of curiousity? I doubt CV would be inserted into the ninth simply because he's too valuable as a fire extinguisher/more than 1IP reliever. Julio and Gagne? Riske? I nominate Stetter. Or Mark Rogers.

[yoshii8]

Mark Rogers hasn't pitched in 2 years, and has never pitched above A+ ball, I'm fairly sure Carlos Villanueva is a little bit ahead of him and he won't be closing for the crew this year.

[chadomac]

what happened to this guy? why doesn't anyone want him anymore? if i remember correctly he was a REALLY solid closer for the Cards for many many years up until very recently. I missed something.

[SeriesFinale]

Rays signed him, I believe.