Riske Business

TJ,

As tempting as it might be to release Julio, don’t jump ship
just yet. The Marlins are committed to him as their closer. I know; he seems to
have come down with another case of “Armando Benititis,” a condition of
unpredictable implosion, but wait it out. While his downward slide could
continue, his age (28) and 2006 strikeout rate (12 Ks per 9 IP) suggest he’ll
turn the tables at some point. That narrows it down to Riske and Barfield. The
free-swinging Barfield isn’t as valuable in OPS leagues, but I’m not sure you
want to let that kind of five-tool upside go without getting anything in
return. 

Drop Riske. Dotel’s oblique injury isn’t considered serious,
and even if it were, Riske doesn’t have a track record that screams out
successful closer.

– Alex Cushing