| Joe Gutierrez. 8th July, 2006 - 9:42 pm
 To many fans in Los Angeles, the idea of the Dodgers heading into the 9th inning meant the game was coming to an immediate end, and the ride home from the game would be filled with relief after seeing closer Eric Gagne shut down the opposing team with ease.
Maybe some took it for granted as others sat at home frantically awaiting the next pitch he delivered. Everything seemed to be going fine as Gagne was soon becoming a household name, while also inking his name in record books.
But how the mighty have fallen.
After a short comeback this season, making only two appearances, the once dominant closer learned his back had suffered a herniated disk and would have to be shut down for the remainder of the year. It’s not as if the Dodgers weren’t prepared for something like this to happen. The trade for Danys Baez proved vital, but his numbers haven’t been impressive thus far. The emergence of “rookie” reliever Takashi Saito has been a tremendous asset to a bullpen that still needs work in order for it to survive come postseason play. Saito has been a dependable reliever for Grady Little to call upon, which is why his promotion to be the team’s closer shouldn’t be seen as surprising.
Fantasy owners shouldn’t be hesitant in adding him to their rosters.
The guessing game was used quite frequently during the last couple years of Gagne’s time with the Dodgers, with many questioning when he would be able to return to his old form in the ‘pen. Unfortunate as it may be, it is the right time for the organization to part ways with the hard throwing Canadian.
The Dodgers will have the opportunity to use a $1 million buyout at the end of the year, making Gagne a free agent. No MLB team would give the closer a multiyear deal, seeing as how it could prove to be foolish.
So what happens now?
Should Los Angeles buyout his contract when the season is over, Saito will remain the closer until further notice. Appointing young talent Jonathon Broxton to the setup role makes sense, however Baez has stated that he is more comfortable in the closer role. Broxton’s overpowering fastball will attract other teams’ interest but keeping him in Dodger blue for the future is something that should be discussed.
Come next year’s Dodger season, the sounds of “Welcome to the Jungle” along with signs of “game over” floating around the stadium, will become something of the past. Bringing the former Cy Young winner back for another year might happen, although I’m sure many fans wouldn’t want a Darren Dreifort version 2.0. Gagne’s best days appear to be behind him. Surgery after surgery becomes tiresome not only to Gagne, but the fans also, as they wait anxiously for the timetable of his return.
His return this year could have put the Dodgers atop the NL West the remainder of the way, making many doubters rethink where Los Angeles will end up at the season’s end.
Hopefully for Gagne’s sake, his pitching career resumes, barring any setbacks. Whether that happens in Los Angeles or not, his future remains a question mark. |
