ouch

Joe Borowski is out up to two months with a broken hand. (ESPN 1000 – ESPN.com says “3 to 4” weeks and “Mid May”, so I guess it’s April already and I’ve blacked out on the last two weeks. WHEEE.)

Well. At least we actually have a time table? This is going to be one heck of a screwed up pen.

Idea #1: LaTroy closes
Problem: Widespread rioting and chaos.

Idea #2: Kyle Closes
Problem: Oh, right.

Idea #2: Chad Fox closes
Problem: We sure are putting a lot on a good spring from a guy without a history of being good.

Idea #3: Jermaine Van Buren closes!
Problem: “Get back in the box, dude.”

He’s not blowing anyone right now either:
9 IP: 6 ER, 11 BB+H, 6 K

Idea #4: Trade for Urbina.
Problem: The lack of trade speculation towards Urbina, including Gammons mentions of Hendry not being at all intersted in him, plus the Tigers replacing him as closer, makes me think there’s something wrong we’re not getting a full picture of.; i don’t think this would be any better than closing with LaTroy, though there wouldn’t be the damage to everyone’s psyche closing with LaTroy would bring.

Idea #5: Trade for Danny Baez
Problem: We sure are putting a lot on someone being someone else’s closer.

Idea #6: Dempster closes, Sergio spot starts in his place.
Problem: We’ve already stretched Dempster out to start and Sergio’s not looked good. Still, if they had no problems with Prior or Wood, I’m thinking this is what would happen.

Ides #7: Rusch closes.
Problem: He’s far from the protypical closer with over powering stuff, and the whole point of him being in the bullpen is to use him as a situationally lefty. (Which is really a worthless way to use Rusch, but hey.)

There really is no Good solution here. Very worrisome.

Best I can figure to start is

SP Carlos
SP Maddux
SP Rusch
SP Wood
SP Prior/Dempster

RHP Dempster/Wuertz
RHP Leicester
RHP Fox

LHP Remmy
LHP Randolph

CL LaTroy.

Take cover.

Randolph is a bit of a surprise, because I’ve been really down on him since the trade. He’s had a good spring. Even though it’s only 6.2 innings of a spring, you might as well roll the dice on someone who’s looked good; it’s a gamble regardless. And I rather have Rusch starting.

Edit: Snipped from the Trib

Does anyone proofread? Anyone?