September Closers

STLtoday - Sports - Cardinals

With news that STL closer Jason Isringhausen may be shut down for the next week or so to help alleviate hip pain, we have yet another 9th inning situation in September where the new closer is unlikely to close in 2007.

First, there was Pittsburgh closer Mike Gonzalez going on the DL. His replacement is Salomom Torres.

Next was Sanf Fran closer Armando Benitez being shutdown due to arthritic knees. Mike Stanton has filled in admirably.

Then Yankees close Mariano Rivera was shut down for precautionary reasons due to problems with an "elbow muscle". Kyle Fanrsworth is the nominal closer right now, but the Yanks haven't had a save opportunity since Mo's rest began.

Now the Cards are looking at a new closer. Braden Looper is the easy choice, but the team appears to prefer Adam Wainwright - destined for next year's starting rotation.

"I feel a little more comfortable with Wainwright (against lefties) because he's got more things that he can do to get a lefthander out," pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "He does all the things that you look for in a late-game pitcher. He warms up quick. He doesn't really get excited. The ingredients are all there."

Of the four, Wainwright offers the most 2007 value, and, amongst the group of F-graded 2007 closers, he gets a D-.

That makes puts him at the top of this class!