Mike Gonzalez: Temporary Implosion or Permanent Failure?

Starting the season with two blown saves in three chances doesn't normally cost a closer his job, but when that stopper throws just 28 of 60 pitches for strikes to go along with four walks and a wild pitch, a temporary break from ninth-inning duty is probably a good thing.

Clearly, Mike Gonzalez is not the same guy who had a 2.42 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 90 Ks in 74 1/3 innings with the Braves last season. At least not at the moment he isn't. His problems started in March, where the 31-year-old closer missed some time with back stiffness before posting a 5.14 ERA and pedestrian 6/4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in seven frames. His velocity was down this spring, but after watching his fastball sit in the low 90s on Opening Day, it appeared he had rediscovered his mojo.

Appearances sure can be deceiving, can't they?

Not only did Gonzalez's velocity drop over his next two appearances, but he wasn't anywhere near the strike zone. Not that he ever had pinpoint precision (career 4.23 BB/9) but he could usually miss enough bats to offset the occasional bout of wildness. Right now, he can't even do that.



Share The good news is that it doesn't appear Gonzalez's woes are health-related (see "appearances can be deceiving" note). Apparently, O's skipper Dave Trembley and pitching coach Rick Kranitz noticed some flaws in his mechanics and are going to work with him on those issues before putting him back out there. Another positive sign for Gonzalez's outlook is that Trembley and Kranitz have dealt with this situation before, and to great results. Remember George Sherrill last season? He was another lefty Orioles closer who struggled early on, was stripped of the gig for a few days, and returned to pitch extremely well. Gonzalez could very well follow the same path. Throw in the fact that Baltimore is paying Gonzalez $12 million to be their closer the next two seasons and there's at least some financial incentive to have him pitching the ninth again as soon as possible.

In short, it's not really a question of if but when you'll see him in the ninth inning again. It could be a few days, perhaps even a couple weeks. Regardless, now is not the time to cut bait. Unless there are full-time closers out there on your wire, you need to hold.

Of course, there's always the chance that Gonzalez resumes closing and fails ... or gets hurt. But if you look at the numbers he's put up throughout his career when healthy, you have to think he'll be just fine. Sure the AL East is tough, but if J.P. Howell, George Sherrill, and Scott Downs can pitch effectively as lefty closers in the division, why can't Mike Gonzalez?

In the meantime, Jim Johnson looks like the grab for temporary saves in the Baltimore bullpen. He wasn't great as a fill-in last season, but he's probably the best guy they have at the moment. Matt Albers could also grab a chance or two if Gonzalez is out longer but he's only worth the addition in extremely deep formats.