Monday, May 4, 2009

Rizz Throws Mike MacDougal in the Pool

The way things are going, any minor league contract could be your next closer. But hey, as reclamation projects go, I'll sign up for 32-year-old who throws in the mid-90s with a groundball rate over 50% and a career strikeout rate over 8 per 9 innings. There's a reason he's getting $2.65 million from the ChiSox. He bombed in Chicago, but you couldn't find a more different approach than Manny versus Ozzie. It's low risk and may come to nothing, but it works for what it is. I wish I'd thought of it.

As I've noted before, Rizzo's MO in building a pitching staff is crystal clear. Groundballers first. If they throw hard, all the better. It's my favorite thing about him so far, even if it does mean that Bergmann and Shell never had a chance.

5 comments:

Positively Half St. said...

When you say "had a chance," you make it sound that Bergmann is as permanently gone as Shell. Did I miss something?

Steven said...

No, he's still in Syracuse, and if there are enough injuries he may come back and get a chance to mop up.

Anonymous said...

Agreed! I keep hearing people bash the move but what do we have to lose? If he stinks they cut him, but if he gets his mechanics/head back in the game, we come out with a hard throwing reliever for next to nothing.

Deacon Drake said...

I could see if the Nats were contending adding a guy like MacDougal, but they aren't. He's likely going to be out of baseball in a couple years. Clippard should get the shot.

Steven said...

Clippard's FB pitcher. Rizzo doesn't like those. We may see him, but I think the deck is stacked against him.