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After the debacle that was our bullpen last year, I am obviously concerned about what Duncan and LaRussa do with the closer role this year. TLR is very clearly reluctant to name Chris Perez as the closer, but I think he should. Listening to some of Tony's comments over the last week or so, it is evident to me that Tony is going to be inclined to use Ryan Franklin in the closer role. I think that would be a mistake.

As a closer, Ryan Franklin makes a pretty good set-up guy. I don't mean to knock the guy, because I think he has been pretty reliable in a set-up role the last couple of years and I think he could be very successful in 2009 in that role. Last year though, Franklin failed in the closer role and a repeat of that in 2009 could be damaging to the confidence and psyche of the bullpen. I believe it to be key that the bullpen get off to a great start this year to gain the confidence they need to hold leads as a group.

I think I would be okay with trying a closer by committee approach, but I would prefer they name Perez the guy and go with him. If anything, I hope a committee approach leans toward the young guns, Perez and Motte.