Wagner

After watching (overpaid) Billy Wagner blow a three-run lead and a save opportunity in the ninth inning against the Braves (almost like the playoffs!), here's a question:

Is it time for Jimy Williams to rethink the whole Dotel-Setup/Wagner-Closer approach, and either use them equally as closer depending on the situation, or actually use Wagner as Dotel's setup man for a while?

I realize it's almost heresy to suggest it given Wagner's salary (which would presumably make him "the man" out of the bullpen), but arguably Dotel has been the better pitcher out of the bullpen this year and last year. Jimy has already shown that he's willing to disregard salaries and established pecking orders with his handling of right field (Merced is getting more playing time, as he's earned, and the overpaid Hidalgo is getting less, as he's earned). Will he tinker with his bullpen in the same fashion?

It's really too bad Wagner blew this one. The team really put together a nice game up until the ninth inning, against the best team in baseball. And they did it with Lance Berkman getting a rest.

[Posted at 22:14 CST on 08/09/02] [Link]