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Relief Efforts: How many closers are truly safe?

By Eric Karabell
ESPN.com

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I think I understand why managers make the decisions they do, but it doesn't mean I have to agree with them. When a bullpen is struggling, sometimes the closer has to take the fall, even if he isn't the biggest problem. With the Tigers and Cardinals this week, we saw back-end situations altered, and the timing was curious. Sure, Todd Jones had been on the hot seat for two years in the Motor City, but is Fernando Rodney really any better? He strikes out more hitters, but then again, every pitche ...

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