May 20, 2009
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When I drafted Jason Motte for five bucks in my NL-only auction draft, I considered myself to get an absolute steal. I think I could have gotten him for less but for whatever reason, I maxed the bid out at five just to scare away anyone who might have had their eye on him. That just might have been my third-worst decision of the draft. I’m still waiting for Cory Wade of the Dodgers to come around. I paid eight dollars for the reliever in a mini bidding war and I thought I could get away with him for just two bucks. Go figure. But I digress.
Here are Motte’s stats as of the morning of May 19:
1-1, 4.30 ERA in 18 games, 1.43 WHIP, seven walks versus only 10 Ks, in eight save situations entered: one blown save and seven holds
I emphasize the eight save situations entered in 18 games because it signals a clear weakness as a fantasy option in your bullpen. There are much better options out there because it is clear that Motte will not close games any time soon for the Cards. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa has absolutely no confidence in him whatsoever to close games and apparently, neither do fantasy owners on ESPN.com. His percentage-owned continues to drop and right now, it is at 47 percent. I will continue to be one of the 47 who own Mr. Motte until LaRussa announces him as the closer. What will that take you ask? Simply another Ryan Franklin meltdown.
Take a look at what Franklin has done as of the morning of May 19:
1-0, 1.10 ERA in 16 games, .67 WHIP, 14 Ks versus just three walks, in ten save situations entered: nine saves and one blown save
Franklin previously had no earned runs allowed previous to his blow up on May 10 at Cincinnati when he blew the save opportunity and allowed the Reds to tie the game at seven. Fortunately for Franklin, the Cards won the game in extras even though he allowed two bombs at the Great American Ballpark. Flashing back to last season, Franklin for a period of time did have a hold on the closing duties for the Cards, compiling a 2-1 record with five saves in seven opportunities, 11 holds and a 2.13 ERA through the first two months.
Then came June and July. That’s when the bottom dropped out on him. Through those two months he allowed seven home runs, blew four saves and endured a 2-3 record. His ERA ballooned to 3.81 by July 31. Chris Perez emerged onto the scene in the Cards bullpen late in the second half last season to relieve Franklin as closer for a short period, but after that fell through, Franklin began receiving the ball again late in games to record three saves in September. While Franklin certainly has not shown nearly the same meltdown signs as he did last season, having Motte stick around as next in line as closer poses a threat to Franklin just in case he decides to start losing games again for the Cardinals.
I’m not a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen. I’m not a fan of Motte, Franklin, or even Kyle McCellan, a dark-horse option to close games out for the Cards. You shouldn’t be a fan of these guys either.
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