Tomko the Closer

Bret Tomko says he's happy with his non-starter role in L.A., and his new aspiration is to become a closer, according to the L.A. Daily News.  He's specifically saying he's not after Saito's job, necessarily... this is just his latest goal in life.

Couple things come to mind.  One being, well, why didn't the Giants think of that -- or just put him in the bullpen in some capacity, anyway.  I never saw him as much of a contributor over there.  He was more a plot device, something to add unnecessary suspense to those otherwise boring games against the (then sucky) Rockies or Nationals.  A long-winded way of saying I thought he wasn't very good, and the Giants' faith in him perplexed me (as did the Dodgers').

Imagine if the Giants had him now ... he could be talking his closer talk at the same time as the self-immolation of Armando Blownitez (as the McCovey Chronicles folks have taken to calling him).

It all makes sense, though.  Based on flashes of brilliance with the Dodgers, and even with the Giants, Tomko can still pitch in some limited capacity.  With the superstition of The Closer well ensconsed in baseball mentality now, the ability to get through a lineup only once is no longer a handicap.  If Jason Isringhausen can keep his "closer" status while walking the bases loaded every other game, Tomko could certainly fill the role.

Besides -- if he's going to be on staff for another year, I'd rather see him pitch ONE inning per game than four or five.  I say give him a shot -- or trade him to someone nuts enough to.