Well, it's official, Eric Gagne is a bust. Our 10 million dollar man is now just one of many Brewers relievers. One day after Jason Isringhausen was demoted from the Cardinals closing role, Ned Yost and Doug Melvin followed suit with Gagne. Brian Shouse was the 1st replacement and pulled out his first save (although he did allow a runner to score- already on base via Salomon Torres).

To tell you the truth, I don't care who closes, as long as that pitcher is reliable with well located pitches or is able to depend on our defense thru ground balls. A closer shouldn't go out there and nibble at corners, like Gagne, and then serve some right down the middle when he gets behind in the count. Gagne may have been a dominant closer in the past, but his fastball is nothing special at 88 to 91 mph and his change-up is easily recognized.

So let Gagne get a breather and work things out with Mike Maddux, an excellent pitching coach. Apparently, Ned, Doug and Mike have noticed something in Eric's delivery that is causing him (and the Brewers) problems.

 Well, go work on that and we've got plenty of reliable veteran relievers. In fact, our bullpen (minus Gagne) is the best thing the Brewers have going right now. We've got Saloman Torres, David Riske, Guillermo Mota, Brian Shouse, Mitch Stetter and Seth McClung. The first 3 have considerable closing experience.

 Doug Melvin knew Gagne was a risk, albeit a very expensive one, but assembled a good committee to close games for the Crew. Now get some hits Brewers so we can continue needing a closer to pull out wins!

How's that view from the Reds bench, Francisco Cordero?