Friday, March 25, 2011
Posted: 2:31 p.m.Updated 4:15 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla.Ryan Madson is the first to admit that he has struggled as a closer.
But the veteran righthander is hungry for another shot.
If its there, Ill take it and Im going to do it right this time, Madson said after learning Friday that closer Brad Lidge would open the season on the disabled with soreness in the back of his right shoulder.
Madsons confidence will come in handy because he very well may get a shot to be the Phillies closer with Lidge out. Jose Contreras is another possibility.Madson and Contreras both pitched a scoreless inning in Friday's 3-1 win over Atlanta. Interestingly, Madson pitched in his usual eighth-inning spot and Contreras got the save in the ninth.Both pitchers have the stuff to do the job. Both have power fastballs and can change speeds. They both also have question marks in the role.
Madson has become arguably the best eighth-inning man in baseball the last few years, but he has not carried that success over to the ninth inning. When called on to close, he has often let his nerves get the best of him. He has 26 career save opportunities in the ninth inning or later and blown seven of them.
MLB
Contreras, who made a full-time conversion from starter to reliever last year, made just four closing appearances last year. He was successful in all of them.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. isnt sure who will close in Lidges absence.
Whoever we think is going to be better, Amaro said.Manager Charlie Manuel added: "They can both get it done. I haven't thought about it much. I know what they both can do."
Madson missed significant time in the first half of last season after breaking his right big toe kicking a chair after a poor performance in San Francisco. He returned in July and may have been the best reliever in the National League during the season half of the season. He made 44 appearances after the all-star break and had a 1.50 ERA.
Madsons confidence and aggressiveness were noticeable in the second half. In fact, he showed more of the assassins mentality that a closer must have. That intangible came to the fore after a conversation with his agent, Scott Boras.
No doubt looking ahead at his clients potential free agency after this season, Boras asked Madson why he believed he had struggled when asked to close games. Madson told Boras that he felt overwhelmed by the need to be perfect. Boras told Madson to relax, trust his stuff and let it all happen naturally. The agent convinced Madson that a pitcher cant close when hes uptight.
We talked for about an hour, Madson said. It was all about mindset. I put too much pressure on myself when I closed in the past. After talking with Scott, I was like, Wheres the pitchers mound? Let me try this. He was like a salesman talking me into a better car. All right, where is it? Im ready to buy.
I would like another crack at closing, for sure. I havent proven what I can do. But this is going to be different if I get a shot. Ill be more focused trying to carry on what I did in the second half last season.Manuel said he won't read too much into Madson's past work as a closer. It takes time to learn the role that former big league skipper Mike Hargrove once called "three hours of boredom followed by 15 minutes of sheer terror.""Madson needs to get four or five chances in a row and get into a hot spot," Manuel said. "If he does that he'll be a completely different pitcher."
Boras, Madson's agent and mentor,has negotiated some of the largest contracts in baseball history, including Jayson Werths 126 million deal with Washington over the winter. His persuasiveness is well known. If his pep talk on Madson works, it will help the Phillies in the short term. It could also make Madson a lot more expensive in the long term. Madson is in the final year of a three-year, 12 million contract. Lidge is in the final guaranteed year of his contract. He is making 11.5 million and has an option for 12.5 million for 2012. Given his health history in recent seasons, its likely that the Phils will look to buy out that option for 1.5 million.
Contreras, the other candidate to replace Lidge, signed a two-year, 5.5 million deal in the offseason.Contreras is ready to do whatever the team needs."I don't think about whether it's the seventh, eighth or ninth inning," Contreras said through teammate and translator Danys Baez. "I think about getting three outs in my inning and helping the team win. I just want to be healthy and help the team win. I don't care about the role."While the Phils have the depth to fill the closers job internally, the loss of Lidge throws off the balance of the bullpen. Contreras lined up as the bridge between the starter and Madson withJ.C. Romero and Antonio Bastardo ready to face left-handed hitters.Now the Phils are down asetup arm. Amaro said it was likely that the club would carry seven relievers. Lidges injury could open a spot for David Herndon and team officials will keep a close eye on Michael Stutes progress at Triple A.
Madson came into his own as an eight-inning man down the stretch in 2008. He has credited two factors for that: Improved conditioning of his right shoulder, and the wise counsel of Lidge, who became the leader of the bullpen in 2008, the year he went 48-for-48 in save chances.
Its not good, Madson said of Lidges loss. Thats our guy. Since hes been here hes been our anchor. When hes on, everybodys on. It doesnt mean we cant pitch without him, but we want him back as soon as possible.
We all need to step up, including myself. Well hold down the fort until he gets back.
That could be a while. Phillies medical officials have only just begun to evaluate Lidges condition. He will have an MRI in Philadelphia early next week.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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