Heard Larry Holmes on my drive home suggest that moving McCarthy to closer would be a bad idea. Before I say any more, I'm not necessarily suggesting it's a good idea. Frankly, I think the kid should be starting games for AAA Charlotte. The fact is (residuals to Doug), if one of their fab five goes down, McCarthy may be useless as a starter if he's spent 2 months or so in the pen. On to the point, the main issue w/ McCarthy has been that he's not comfortable with the uncertainly and randomness that comes with the life of a reliever. But, within the bullpen, is there any role more certain than the closer? You close, that's the role. If the team is up, or possibly tied, late in the game, get your shit together because we're counting on you to finish this motherfucker. If Bobby continues to struggle, I have no objection whatsoever to putting McCarthy in that spot.

Any thoughts from the Peanut Gallery?

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"There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again."

First of all Larry said before the playoffs started last year that Burhle should be moved to the bull pen. So discount anything he says as a rule. By the way Jenks is 3 for 3 in save oportunities so far. I know they haven't been pretty. If Jenks can't do it I would first go to Cotts and then McCarthy.

It seems that unless one is an elite closer, the closer's lifespan is pretty short, 3-4 years tops. So, I would think McCarthy would have a longer and more fulfilling career as an SP, that is of course under the assumption he wouldn't become an elite closer.

I'd rather make Cotts the closer, maybe even Thornton. #37 can hit 97 on the gun, and he's a lefty...he could be a good candidate if he can find the KZone. Maybe that was part of the thought process in acquiring Thornton. This team has had a revolving door at closer since Roberto Hernandez. Bobby Howry, Keith Foulke, Billy Koch, Shingo Takatsu, Dustin Hermanson, Bobby Jenks, why not add Thornton to the mix, too.

Did my guy LH just go right ahead and pull this out of the papers today? If you want to discuss it fine, but hopefully he didnt act as though this was his original idea.

LJH if Thorton is the closer then we don't make the playoffs. The guy can bring it but it's straight and he doesn't have a good 2nd pitch. If Cotts and McCarthy fail (I don't think both will) Then Kenny makes a trade at the all star break. By the way I think everybody is really quick to give up on Jenks. I think he'll end up being the guy for the entire year.

What makes you say this? He may not like the role but he has been outstanding in it so far. I like having him in that relief spot. If, by chance, one of the starters cannot take you into the 8th, I love to see Brandon holding tough in innings 6 and 7.

This is a common progression for great young pitchers. They get comfortable with the MLB by pitching out of the pen.

Coincedently, I do not have a problem with Jenks in the closer role. As brilliant young coach wannie used to say, he'll be fine.

Me? He's said it himself.

And I'm not necessarily itching for a change, just throwing it out there for some chatter. My preference would be to see Bobby pitch well and have McCarthy stay in AAA. He's going to become the right-handed Neal Cotts before we know it. That's not a bad thing in terms of quality, but you can't hang around a bullpen for half a season and then be expected to go out and throw 100 pitches.

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"There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again."

Bobby Jenks should be a concern, but, he is still getting the job done. We're not going to replace him after 1 blown save either. It would probably take a few weeks worth of spotty pitching before he lost his job totally, and Neil Cotts/Cliff Politte would most likely get the first crack at the job.

If McCarthy is forced into the rotation, he'd only put some extra strain on the bullpen for about 2-3 starts. They would probably use one start to stretch him out, giving him about 4-5 innings, maybe do the same thing again, and then get him into the 6 inning range by the time he has a 3rd start.

So far, though, Guillen does like to use him for multiple innings, so I don't think stretching him out for a spot in the rotation would be that taxing. Also keep in mind that with the innings the other starters are capable of putting up, I don't think a few extra innings during a possible McCarthy start would be a big deal.

McCarthy is way too valuable to be in the minors. The guy, at the very least, is going to be pitching in games anywhere from the 6th though 8th innings.

I understand your comparison about Neil Cotts, but Kenny Williams has said it himself - this next offseason, he'll find a way to get McCarthy into the rotation.

If a doomsday scenario occured you could just bring up Lance Broadway from the minors, let Mc Carthy go 3 or 4 and let Broadway go 3 or 4.

I have to agree completely with this. I'm not so sure we should give up on the Big Guy as of yet, but soley on the fact that he has been 3 for 3 in save opps. I don't really care how they end up looking, but I am pretty sure that if he continues to turn 3-run leads into 1-run wins Jenks will make Thome an alcoholic.