Sorry about crashing your 2007 diaries Jim, but we have a huge hole in our bullpen. Yes, in the start, our bullpen was phenomenal. But, after that great start we had into the summer, our bullpen collapsed, along with the whole team. Now, when we were still in contention in early September where we had those big 7th, 8th, 9th inning wins... we lost, because of the holes in our pitching. Our starting rotation is decent, we just need one more 14 win starter to help us with a 3.50 ERA. Now getting back on track, the hole in our bullpen is the closer position.

We traded El Duque for Jorge Julio from the Mets after the start of the Diamondbacks' free fall. We gained some depth in our pitching staff, but he didn't last too long, as he blew saves after saves like Valverde. As much as we love to say Jorge Juuuuuuuuuuuuliiiiiiiiioooooooooooo and Papa Grande, we have to fix the hole before we have a closing committee. Now, what the Diamondbacks need is a person who Repertoire is better than two pitches. We do not need a fastball specialist like Valverde, because those mighty walkoff hits that killed our chances at the NL West Championship. We need a guy who understands pressure, understand those times where the bases are juiced, and we need an out. Well, I'm not much of a stat guy, more of a potential guy. I'll leave the stats to Jim. But here are the options that the D-backs have:

* Trade Estrada: This is a no brainer, we have three potential catchers that could do the job as well as Estrada. Synder has had a great year, even though he was a backup, but hey, any type of player hitting better than .220 is a huge improvement. Montero is probably going to the minor leagues, but is a good insurance plan with is potential, but he is still young. It seems like our new policy is not to rush these young players. Robby Hammock might make his comeback next year as backup, even though we haven't seen him since last year. But I do think that he will be backup for Synder. And it will be good to have him as utility role because the multiple position he plays. That will make having all our starters have a rest better because we have all our backups. Trade Estrada for a starting pitcher or a reliever that could handle the job.

Potential Candidates:
San Francisco: But who do we want from that pitching staff. They won't hand us their rookies or their well trained prospects. Hmm, who is there. No one I think that will make a big contribution to our staff, but Armando Benitez. He is risky, I would want someone else relieving the 9th inning than him.

San Diego Padres: Yes, the Padres have the 3rd best bullpen in the National League. But they already have Piazza in the backfield. He has done a fair job with the Padres and I don't think they would trade for Estrada. But I think that Scott Linebrink would be a great addition for our team. But Like I said, would they want Estrada even though Piazza had a good year with them. But Piazza does have a one year deal with the Pods...

Cincinnati Reds: They also have a new look, and next year, it seems like they look like a playoff team. They do need a Catcher. And they added alot of firepower to their pitching staff. I would say trade Estrada to the Reds for Todd Coffey but it looks like they want to keep him for a while because of what he could do. But when we faced Coffey, we crushed him. He looks like someone we could rely on. Eddie Guardado is another guy we should look at, but he looks risky.

* We could sign these risky guys that was exceptional closers:

Joe Borowski, He is a great closer for the Florida Marlins. Although the Marlins may resign him, there is a chance that we can get him. He has a 3.92 era, 36 saves, a 1.41 WHIP.

Dan Kolb, He had a great 2004 season with the Milwaukee Brewers with 39 saves, 5 blown saves, a 2.96 era. But after that year, when he was with Braves, he was so awful, he went back to the Brewers. He is a free agent, and we should sign him short-term.

Octavio Dotel, A great setup man with the A's, but he was never tested by the Yankees as a closer because of his injury. If he didn't succeed in closer for our team, we can use him for SU.

Mike Timlin, A seasoned veteran who should do well in the National League. This year, he hasn't been doing well this year with a 4.02 ERA, with a 1.44 WHIP. But hey, we need some of that veteran influence in our bullpen. I know he wasn't a closer because of Keith Foulke, but we can give it a try.

* Have one of our guys be closer. Have a Closer battle at ST:

Valverde, a decent closer in the beginning of the season, but turn devious because of his love of the high power fastball. That ball will be crushed. We can't have that.

Lyon, the great closer that had what, 14/15 save attempts in 2005. A good year he should have had, but an injury removed him from that part. And now he is on the hot seat because of all those blown leads by him and Vizcaino.

Medders, I said Medders in Jim's 2nd part of the "fill in the blanks" diary. I said Medders because we haven't tried him, but it looks like he will be great. This year he has a 3.75 ERA, and has a WHIP of 1.44. But the thing is with him is that he is the mopup guy! Give this guy a chance. He might win it. I remember seeing in gameday the pressure on him in a tied situation. Have him pitch as closer. I know my reasons don't make sense, but give this guy a chance.