Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The St. Louis Cardinals looked to have a stable closer situation entering the season, with Jason Motte firmly in place after tying for the National League lead with 42 saves in 2012. But Motte was sidelined by an elbow issue in March, and a report last week indicated he may need Tommy John surgery without sufficient progress by May 1.
Mitchell Boggs has gotten the first chance at closing games for the Cardinals, but he has a 9.82 ERA and two blown saves in four opportunities to this point. It’s worth noting his worst outing came in a non-save situation, as he allowed seven runs (six earned) on two hits with four walks against the Cincinnati Reds on April 8, but all indications are his hold on the closer role is tenuous. Primary setup man Trevor Rosenthal has closer-worthy stuff, with 11 strikeouts in nine innings pitched this season, but he has a 5.00 ERA in eight appearances and the Cardinals are likely to look further for someone to close games.
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has indicated that Edward Mujica could be tried as the team’s closer, and more recently general manager John Mozeliak praised Mujica as a potential option for the ninth inning. Through five appearances this season Mujica has a 1.80 ERA with five strikeouts and one walk, and since being acquired by St. Louis last season he has a 1.15 ERA with a 26:4 K/BB ratio over 31.1 innings.
Mujica only has four career saves in 321 career big league appearances and does not have an elite level career K/9 rate (7.3), but his career BB/9 rate is very good (1.5) and his ground ball rate (51 percent in 2012) has been on the rise over the last three seasons. Significant opportunity to close games has simply never come for Mujica to this point, but he did go just 2-for-8 in save opportunities last season with the Cardinals and the Miami Marlins.
The closer situation for St. Louis may remain in flux for much of the season if Motte is out, but right now Mujica is the guy to own. His ownership percentage is on the rise fairly dramatically, but he is still available in 71 percent of Yahoo! leagues right now. Boggs’ ownership percentage is falling (46 percent in Yahoo! leagues), which is not surprising, but he is still worth holding onto in deeper leagues.
Brad Berreman is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24.
