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Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:17 pm EDT

Isringhausen takes over as Cards' closer, Franklin takes over the most-dropped list

By Andy Behrens

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_fantasy_experts__3/ept_sports_fantasy_experts-339984961-1217286321.jpg?ymQDXrADKwtuQcm6Sometimes when there's breaking fantasy news, people in our leagues criticize us for adding the appropriate player(s) before posting to the blog.

Rest assured, that's not happening this time. Jason Isringhausen is reportedly returning to the closer's role in St. Louis, displacing Ryan Franklin. And you can have him.

This news arrives via the Cardinals' website:

Duncan believes that Isringhausen's recent outings have shown that he's at least close to regaining his old form.

He's allowed six earned runs in his last 5.2 innings.

That, combined with a recent slide by Franklin, prompted the Cards to make the change. Both pitchers were notified prior to Monday night's game against Atlanta.

As any Franklin owner will tell you, he just received a vote of confidence from Tony La Russa that sounded suspiciously like a death rattle:

"When Franklin is fresh, he's going to get the ninth inning. He's the best guy we have for that role."

That team needs a trade in the worst way, and they know it. Returning Adam Wainwright to the bullpen hardly seems ideal.

If you're rushing to add Izzy, perhaps you need a trade, too.

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26 Comments

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  1. a-mak15
    1. Posted by a-mak15 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Just added Izzy in a plethora of leagues I'm in. Then I read that last line. Like a kick to the groin, er, hamstrings because *obviously* that would hurt more.
  2. reticent_eva
    2. Posted by reticent_eva Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:36 pm EDT

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    J.Isringhausen is no better than T. Jones and J. Borowski, but a save is a save. I'm not in dire need of saves in any league I am in, but it doesn't hurt to have another closer. Even the worst closers will have a spot on a roster in competitive leagues that count saves.
    I'm curious if the Cardinals are going to go after B. Fuentes. Considering their situation, it would be advise.
  3. Dave
    3. Posted by Dave Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    what does this mean for chris perez? is he going to get a shot this season or what?
  4. ruio99
    4. Posted by ruio99 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    "Duncan believes that Isringhausen's recent outings have shown that he's at least close to regaining his old form."
    Wait a second... let me adjust the BS* Spin filter on my system... OK, let's read that Cards' website quote again:
    "We can't pull off a trade for a real closer because we don't want to pay the asking price."
    Much better.
    (*In this context, BS does not stand for blown save... although, it really could...)
  5. *Clark 22*
    5. Posted by *Clark 22* Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:36 pm EDT

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    I would rather have Jason Kidd pitchin the 9th inning. Izzy hangs every pitch and his fast ball is 85 mph, hes breaking ball doesnt break(unless you count the seats it breaks in the outfield) Hes done! Hes like the old guy in the Rookie of The Year Movie before he some how gets his stuff back.
  6. Jason
    6. Posted by Jason Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    Nothing to do with this, but would it be dumb of me to trade for Manny in an AL only league right now? If he gets shipped to the nl he gets dropped.
  7. James S
    7. Posted by James S Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    Why don't don't they just pull the trigger on Fuentes or Street already?
  8. James S
    8. Posted by James S Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    #5-Are you referring to Chet Stedman??? "The Rocket!"
    Why isn't he in the Yahoo! player pool?!?
  9. o
    9. Posted by o Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    "i can get it done skip"
  10. T2
    10. Posted by T2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:40 pm EDT

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    #6, hang on to Manny. I think he'll stay and play angry which could be interesting. If he goes, he'll be jacked up and play well. Either way, he's just too good to not be productive. If you can max out his value and get a good deal, go for it.
    I'm from the land of T.Jones and he like Izzy "throws" (not to be confused with "pitches") 84 MPH meatballs down the middle. They are uber hittable at this stage in their career. Both the young inexperienced players and the grey beards and everyone inbetween can have success on these guys. The only reason that they are rostered is that saves can come at a premium. C.J. Wilson and whoeverthehell is closing now for the Pirates fall into the same catagory. Sad for pro ballers.
  11. Chicken
    11. Posted by Chicken Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:39 pm EDT

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    I picked up carpenter, I won't start him right away. I want to see a couple good starts first. If he can get it back to where he left off he is a top 15 pitcher. Worth the chance I think. I also picked up Izzy. I had Saito and he went down, I also have Morrow and Gonzo in Atlanta and between the two of them they get 2 save chances a month! A save is a save and I need some. Cross my fingers and hold my breath.
    I am a Tigers fan and I have been wondering when they would pull the plug on Jones, he is a gamer but he does throw it down the middle with little velocity or movement. Not a good strategy for a closer.
  12. mike w
    12. Posted by mike w Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:40 pm EDT

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    As a fantasy dork myself I will help you the best I can.
    Stick with Pelfrey. Carpenter probably won't be as good in the beginning. I simply don't trust the Cardinals and their doctiors. I'm a Cardinal fan but they are rushing this guy back. They do this all of the time. Trust me. He will be better than Mulder(who wouldn't) but he prob won't be very good his first couple starts and may never be as good as he once was. He is a low risk guy to add to your fantasy team but if Pelfreys stats are decent stick with him for this yr. If Carp regains his old form this yr tip your cap to the guy who gets him and be happy with the safer SP.
  13. J.J.
    13. Posted by J.J. Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    Should I drop Rodney r Kobayashi 4 Izzy? It's just shortterm til Wood comes off the DL thanks
  14. joe w
    14. Posted by joe w Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    Carpenter over Pelfrey. Pellfrey will cool down & Carpenter will give you the POSSIBILITY of GREAT. It's not reality baseball, it's FANTASY, so take the chance. Have fun.
  15. Brinky
    15. Posted by Brinky Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:30 pm EDT

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    The cardinals certainly need a closer. Even last year when Izzy had a great ERA, fans at the ballpark didn't like him and it was a circus a lot out there in the 9th inning. He is really not popular now. I wonder if seattle would give up Brandon Morrow since Putz is back. Morrow was awesome in that role. He's probably too valuable and fuentes is likely easier to get.
  16. Rick S
    16. Posted by Rick S Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:47 pm EDT

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    hopefully Izzy can help my team out. Todd Jones sure didn't.
  17. ~~~~~~~~~
    17. Posted by ~~~~~~~~~ Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    sorry this is off topic but did anyone actually see Griffey's "throat slash"? I watched the video and didn't see anything close to a throat slash.
  18. ~~~~~~~~~
    18. Posted by ~~~~~~~~~ Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    and for an on topic post, Do the Cards have the pieces to actually make a move for Matt Holliday and maybe get Fuentes at the same time or is that absolutely ridiculous?
  19. Brody
    19. Posted by Brody Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:45 pm EDT

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    The reason STL isnt making a trade is because they werent supposed to be this good. Remember, this was supposed to be a "rebuilding" season. Now that they are actually winning, management doesnt know what to do. They say that they are going to stick with the original plan of not making any move that would damage their future, but they are getting heat from the fans, and thank god, the media.
    Honestly, I think that they are just hoping that they continue to lose and fall away from first place so they can just say "we told you so."
  20. AV
    20. Posted by AV Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    Wow... Comment #21 said it all. Smartest comment on this whole thing.
  21. realMFNdeal
    21. Posted by realMFNdeal Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    I don't know where you all get that Izzy has lost a lot of velocity on his fastball because the last time I seen him pitch he was hitting 90-93 on all of his fastball. Typical yahoo know it alls I guess. Even though they are really just talking out their A$$.
  22. Milad
    22. Posted by Milad Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

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    Well, if were gonna be like that...then I like comment #4 the most. It made me chuckle.
  23. The Drizzle
    23. Posted by The Drizzle Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:29 pm EDT

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    I'm not too up to snuff on the Cards' farm system, but I like what #21 said. St. Louis isn't ready for a playoff push, and I don't see them keeping up their production to match than the more talented & (seemingly) younger Brewers & Cubs. Unless Sheets and Harden blow out their , which could very well happen.
    The Mariners are moving away from the Bavasi era, and Morrow is part of their future. Rhodes could certainly still go (even he's been more effective than Franklin and Izzy).
  24. mattevilspawn
    24. Posted by mattevilspawn Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    #21 is on target. The Walt Jocketty era of smart big-name deadline deals (McGwire, Rolen, Walker, Will Clark) is OVER. John Mozeliak is ownership's "Yes" man GM and there will be no big deals. It's frustrating for LaRussa, Duncan, the players and the fans, but that's just the cold reality. Fuentes? Holliday? Keep dreaming! If they do anything, they will probably just add a scrap-heap pitcher (see Jeff Weaver 2006) and pray that Duncan can work another miracle with him.
    If you want to get an idea of how this ownership group operates, ask someone from St. Louis about "Ballpark Village" sometime. It's nearly as messy as the Cards' current Closer situation.

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