6/22/08

Manuel assigns roles to relievers

I can honestly say, this is something I've been waiting to happen for years. Jerry Manuel has finally assigned defined roles to the bullpen.

Of course, Billy Wagner will stay as the teams closer. Duaner Sanchez has officially been assigned as the teams setup man, always pitching in the 8th inning.

Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano have been assigned as the lefty and righty specialists.

Aaron Heilman has been demoted to not pitching in "as many pressure situations."

It's about time. I think it's beneficial that the pitchers know when they will usually appear in a game, instead of having to wait and guess what inning they'll appear in. It allows them to psych themselves up for when they know they will enter the game, instead of waiting for the phone call.

I know I sound like a sap, but I really like the way Manuel has carried himself and made decisions in his short time at the helm.