Monday, February 15, 1999
RELIEF PITCHING: Who throws the ninth inning?
Right now, the Reds sound confident that either Gabe White or Danny Graves can fill the closer's role. Or they could form a decent combination as a lefty-righty tandem, as they did after Jeff Shaw was traded last year.
Graves was perfect in eight save opportunities but lacked the strikeout pitch (44 Ks in 81ô innings) that ideal closers possess. Nothing was wrong with his guts, which is the most important quality a relief ace can have.
Conceivably, White can only improve after spending most of his early career as a starter. He made only three starts in 69 appearances last year and almost surely will work exclusively out of the bullpen this season.
John Hudek, who has become a setup man in recent years but saved 16 games in 1994 for Houston, is another option. He pitched well after being acquired from the Mets.
Trading for a closer is far-fetched, unless club management dumps another highly paid player or allows the payroll to exceed its current $32 million level. A late-spring trade for another qualified setup reliever might be a possibility.
Hudek and Scott Sullivan appear set as middle relievers, although Sullivan slumped badly from 1997, when he had five wins and a 3.24 ERA in 59 games. Mark Thompson could join them if he has recovered from shoulder problems. But the most dramatic comeback of all will be attempted by Stan Belinda, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year. Belinda told General Manager Jim Bowden that he's fine and intends to reclaim a job.
The Reds could use a lefty in the setup role. Reyes might fit if he doesn't make the rotation; Jim Crowell's a longshot if he's healthy.
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