Who would you rather have closing: Mota or Gagne?

[Hate those Rodents]

I've got to say, I've got a LITTLE more patience for Gagne. But Mota is looking like a better option to me and I'm close to switching in favor of him.

[rluzinski]

I'm guessing you are using only Mota's 10 innings with the Brewers this year to form your opinion of him? I think it would be wise to consider this as well:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=4053&type=pitching3&three=1

[Gobias Industries]

Gagne. I want him to rack up saves so we can get our comp. picks. I think you'd kind of be wasting Mota's value by having him in the closer role. He has the ability to go two innings, and it seems like Ned hates bringing in his closer during the 8th inning.

[jazzytrav]

Gagne. By far.

[And That]

I think Mota is a better pitcher than his recent history suggests him to be. That said, Gagne is still better than him.

[TooLiveBrew]

^^ Agree 100% with Toby, which is why -- out of the two -- I would set Mota to close. This would allow Gagne to pitch the higher-leverage innings.

[mikerollins]

Gagne and I wouldn' think twice. I like how Gagne has pitched so far.

[Bambis Bombers]

I'd primarily go with Gagne, but use Mota on occasion if Gagne is getting overworked...or if it's raining, given his complaints about slipping when the mound is wet. It's great to have options.

[Tbadder]

Gagne. Somehow we gotta make sure he's a t least a type B free agent.

[sbrylski]

Solomon Torres would be my #2 closer.

[bando1234]

Now granted this is based on watching on my 20 inch flat screen but Mota seems to have some decent movment on his fastball. I would like to see Mota close but Tbadder has a great point.

[logan82]

I sent this to somebody last night about my thoughts on our pen. I haven't looked at our pitching or hitting stats this year yet.

 

You know, the Brewers really have built a pen to my liking. I am not sure where everybody falls in place yet, but it looks like our 2 best pitchers may be Mota and Torres. Multi inning guys who are not tied down to a certain inning. They can come in, stop a rally and stay in for a couple innings. Having 2(3 if Riske turns out to be good) of them is great because they can fill in the role that Villy did last year, but without the burnout halfway through the year. It looks like Gagne might be our 3rd best reliever or worse. I have no problem with him as the closer.

 

I think I had something along the lines of ranking guys 1-9(in this case) and taking the best guy as your fireman/stopper. Making the best one inning guy who isn't your best reliever your closer, thus freeing up your best reliever to work at any time. Idealy having at least 2 really good multi inning guys ready to pitch at any time. At least 2 so they don't burn out.

[Hate those Rodents]

Again, I think Gagne can do it and would give him a little longer. I know Mota struggled last year, but he's been amazing thus far and might deserve to at least be an occasional guy, similar to what we've done in the past couple of years (before Cordero's utter dominance).

[istanbultaye]

I don't consider Gagne to be the best pitcher in the pen, but I am a-ok with him keeping the 'closer' job until he reaches a point approaching turnbow 2nd half '06. I like that we have multiple guys who are actually able to come into a 'jam' and get us out of it most of the time, and then stick around to do the next inning. I second the opinion that we should think twice before using gagne in inclement weather. I also don't think that he should pitch more than three games in a row. With the number of solid options we have, there's really no GOOD reason to do that. I do agree with the point that we should get him as many saves as we can without detrimental effects on the course of the season to increase his FA status when he moves on next year.

[RobDeer 45]

I wouldn't mind us using multiple guys for closing just depending on whos hot. But I guess the pitchers themselves woudn't like that. I'm sure they like to have a job so they can mentally prepare for it. There are 5 guys who could close for us right now.

[PlayerHader]

Turnbow...but not really.

[BrewCrewForever]

Gagne no doubt. But I really like Mota a lot as the 8th inning guy.

[berniebrewer4life]

Gagne. Just as long as he doesn't have to pitch another week in a row. Although i wouldn't be opposed to using Turnbow and Mota when Eric needs a day off.

[HurricaneBraun]

Cordero

[Brian the Automator]

Gagne with normal rest.

[Ennder]

Gagne but they need to baby him, I cannot understand why Yost doesn't understand this. gagne should get roughly 75% of the save opps and someone else should get the other 25%. We should protect our investment by not pushing him instead of getting 'the most' out of the investment by abusing him.

[acwilber]

Turnbow...but not really.

I'd have to say Gagne, but how much does tonight's performance get D-Bow back in the formula for the pen as the set up/occasional closer? He was basically the end of the pen lately, but Ned seems to be behind him.

 

[sweepscc]

Gagne on steroids.

[jazzytrav]

Could've sworn Gagne was pointed out for HGH, not steroids. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

If Turnbow can put together a few outings like tonight, I think he gets thrown into the formula. At least I hope there's a formula. Oh, who am I kidding...

 

As long as Turnbow's pitch selection isn't fastball, fastball, fastball, fastball, etc., I think he could very much help out. Tonight he threw a lot of breaking balls and looked good. But I agree with Ennder; give Gagne 75% of the save opportunites and mix in the rest. There's no reason to "get the most" out of Gagne just because we're paying him a lot. I would think you would want to protect that investment, not push it.

[Sheets4theHOF]

Gagne with normal rest.