The first pitcher Manuel mentioned Monday as a candidate to close, Maine said he's open to doing "whatever they need" to help the struggling bullpen. He said he threw a couple of "slop innings" in Baltimore when he first came up, but never any pressure situations.
Maine said he thinks the biggest adjustment to the bullpen would be getting ready on the fly instead of knowing well in advance that he would be pitching, as he would were he starting. Still, the right-hander was open to the possible switch.
"Of course," Maine said with a smile. "I'd love to get a couple of saves."
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Maine showing the right attitude
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BTW, moving Maine to the pen would be a lot more easily tolerated if we picked up another veteran pitcher. Before the non-waiver trade deadline, I know Washburn was rumored to be Mets-bound. Picking up someone like that would make it easy to put Maine in the pen.
I don't know why, but I have a completely unsubstantiated gut feeling that Maine would make a good closer. Deceptively hard, late breaking fastball that comes out of a fluid, even motion. An even-keel temperment. A willingess to challenge hitters and throw strikes.
Hmmm, sounds like another closer, but I just can't place him.
Oh yeah. Him.
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