After trying the No Fehr Team Notebooks and Around the Horn, the Fehrless web staff is introducing "Ask Fehrman" (styled after Ask Rotoman, from the ESPN website), focusing on how current MLB situations will afect the close No Fehr race. If you have any questions you want answered, send them in to Doug.
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Certainly the most original question we've had in the first few weeks of Ask Fehrman. According to the Los Angeles Times, Luke was born with a birthmark on his face that had kids in grade school calling him "scarface." For what it's worth, Nixon gets our vote for the ugliest player in the bigs. He also has some interesting names for his kids: Genesis, Jarrel and twins Trivion and Trivian.
From Bill C. (Infections): How about the tag-team of Antonio Osuna and Rafael Medina? These guys eat ugly sticks like slim jims!
From the Pro Sports Xchange: The Marlins are starting to remove the kid gloves when dealing with reliever Matt Mantei (10A), who figures to be their full-time closer by the end of the season. They've been careful not to overwork the right-hander, who has recovered from shoulder surgery and throwing consistently in the mid-90 mph range, topping out at 98. He has added a wicked curveball and it's made a difference, making it a lot tougher for hitters just to sit on his fastball.
In recent weeks, Mantei has worked consecutive games several times without soreness. He allowed two runs, six hits and two walks with 19 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings in his past nine games through Sunday (July 26) and had four saves in five opportunities in June and July. He is 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA in 27 games.
He has split the closer duties with Antonio Alfonseca (Harrys, 5R) since May, but Alfonseca hasn't been consistent and will likely be used in fewer save situations as the Marlins become less concerned with the Mantei health issue.
What it means: If Mantei's shoulder holds up, the Infections could have a bargain closer and the Peelers/Oriole could regret passing on Mantei in favor of Jose Mesa and Rich Croushere, respectively. Look for Alfonseca's save opps to decrease if Mantei continues to thrive.
From the San Diego Union-Tribune: Ramirez sparked the Padres in June, shutting out the Giants in his first five appearances. But he lost command of his curve, and after allowing homers to lefties Ken Griffey Jr. and Garret Anderson appeared to lose confidence. Lefties batted .333 (8-for-24) off him with four home runs. Now with Class AAA Las Vegas, Ramirez did well considering that he'd worked several seasons as a starter for the Mexico City Reds.
What it means: Don't be surprised to see Ramirez back with San Diego soon, especially since the Padres are in desparate need of a lefty in the bullpen. But at $10 next year, it's doubtful Ramirez will show enough for the Batters to bring him back next season.
From the Sporting News: Unless the Braves are able to acquire one of the game's top closers, someone like the Yankees' Mariano Rivera, GM John Schuerholz would prefer to stand pat. Bobby Cox likes Kerry Ligtenberg (Idaho, 7R) in the closer's role and after watching closers like Jose Mesa, Rod Beck and Roberto Hernandez fail in the postseason last year, he doesn't think experience is a necessary job requirement.
That doesn't mean that Schuerholz isn't still talking to various teams about deals. He'd like to strengthen the bench and add another left-hander to the bullpen. But, so far, other clubs are asking for the Braves' top minor league prospects and Schuerholz isn't willing to part with them.
It can be argued that few teams have a closer as reliable as Kerry Ligtenberg. He's 12-for-15 in save opportunities, hasn't blown a save since May 23 and seems to be growing into the job. He's recorded six straight saves and hasn't allowed an earned run in his last seven appearances. In four appearances since being recalled from Class AAA, Mark Wohlers (Harrys, 30A) has allowed four hits, six walks and five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.
What it means: Idaho's out of this year's race, and it's hard to imagine Atlanta starting next season with Lightenberg as their top closer. But you can't argue with the numbers. The guy's done a solid job, and if he can carry it through the playofs, Idaho may have a bargain closer for next year.
What to expect: Don't bank on Wohlers getting his closer's job back this year, which is bad news for the Harrys in the tight race for saves. If Jeff Shaw's arm falls off from overuse, the Harrys will be in trouble.
Looks like it. From the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Very quietly, the Cardinals have had a changing of the guard in their catching corps. Rookie Eli Marrero (Oriole, 5A), recovered from thyroid cancer surgery, will become the regular catcher. ``He'll catch most of the games,'' said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa Thursday after Marrero singled twice and hit his second homer in an 8-1 thrashing of the San Francisco Giants.
Asked if Marrero would play instead of Tom Pagnozzi and Tom Lampkin because (a) he had played well and (b) La Russa wanted to see more of him, La Russa said, ``He's playing well. There is no (b). ``He played well yesterday and helped us win the game. And we thought he could help us win today. We're not developing players. We're still trying to win.''
What it means: This won't affect this year's NF race much, although it does give Oriole another everyday player as they try to continue their second-half charge (Oriole is currently in seventh, 13 points out of first). More importantly, it may give Oriole a bargain catcher heading into next season.
Yes, Rondell White (Harry Careys, 27A) is gone for the season after breaking the ring finger on his right hand in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Phillies. White, batting .300 with 17 HRs, 58 RBI and 16 stolen bases, also had ligament damage after misplaying Mike Lieberthal's pop fly in the sixth inning on the 20th. He will have surgery today or Thursday in Montreal. The Expos called up CF Terry Jones from Class AAA Ottawa, where he was hitting .237 with no homers and 21 RBI and ranked second in the International League with 35 stolen bases.
What it means: A huge blow to the Harrys, which was in fourth place after last weeks' action, just four points behind the league-leading Fighting Irish. Since trading Barry Larkin, the Harrys have slipped in steals, and White's injury could drop the Harrys into third in the category (they've led there all season).
Acquiring Tony Gwynn just before the trade deadline will offset White's loss in average and RBIs, but the Harrys will suffer most in the home run race, where five teams (including the Harrys) are separated by just 13 homers at the top.
What to expect: Don't look for the Harrys to try and replace White with a trade. They're going to hope acquiring Gwynn offsets the loss somewhat and take their chances. Fortunately for the Harrys, their offense (with Biggio, Rolen, Lankford and Devon White) may be strong enough to stay in the race. The key remains the starting pitching for the Harrys, and the past two weeks have been encouraging.
Giants starter Shawn Estes (O'Men, 4B) is on the 15-day DL with a strained muscle in the back of his pitching shoulder, and the prognosis isn't good. He was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle that he doesn't expect to return to the big club until early- or mid-August.
What it means: With Jose Silva still out, losing Estes would be a killer blow to most teams. But the O'Men (who were fifth as of last week, 5-and-a-half points in back of first) are second in ERA and wins, so they should be able to weather the storm. What they need is help for their ratio, where Scott Radinsky hasn't helped matters lately.
What to expect: The O'Men saw second-round reserve pick Russ Ortiz throw seven impressive innings (except for six walks) on Monday in Estes's place. Now the O'Men need to hope Hampton returns to form and Hitchcock can provide a few solid outings. The O'Men's biggest need is RBIs, where they have only five points. Caminiti's doing his part, but Bonds and Kent will need to pick up the pace.