By Mark Gonzales
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Manager Ozzie Guillen reminded reporters Tuesday that the White Sox played without closer Bobby Jenks in 2008 and 2009 because of injuries that shuffled the bullpen.
Guillen expressed empathy for Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire after the news that All-Star closer Joe Nathan is likely to miss the 2010 season because of a ligament tear in his right pitching elbow.
"I feel for Gardy," Guillen said. "In the meanwhile, they can find anyone, but you move someone out of the bullpen, the bullpen is going to be a little weak. That happened to us last year, Bobby was down for a little while and no one even talked about it. No one felt sorry for us. You don't want anyone to get hurt, but in the meanwhile, I worry about my guys. It's not good news for them.''
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Manager Ozzie Guillen reminded reporters Tuesday that the White Sox played without closer Bobby Jenks in 2008 and 2009 because of injuries that shuffled the bullpen.
Guillen expressed empathy for Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire after the news that All-Star closer Joe Nathan is likely to miss the 2010 season because of a ligament tear in his right pitching elbow.
"I feel for Gardy," Guillen said. "In the meanwhile, they can find anyone, but you move someone out of the bullpen, the bullpen is going to be a little weak. That happened to us last year, Bobby was down for a little while and no one even talked about it. No one felt sorry for us. You don't want anyone to get hurt, but in the meanwhile, I worry about my guys. It's not good news for them.''
Guillen paid homage to Nathan, who has 24 saves with a lifetime 2.06 ERA against the White Sox.
"He's been so good against us, he's been amazing,'' Guillen said.
The lack of a proven closer creates a big question for the Twins, in Guillen's estimation.
"I still believe they have a good ballclub," Guillen said. "But now Gardy has to look around and say, 'OK, who is going to be the guy?' That happens to every manager when your closer gets hurt. Is everyone going to take advantage of that? Of course. I'd rather face anybody out there, any pitcher they have than Nathan. Nathan, the door was closed when you got to Nathan.''
For now, the Twins will hold auditions within their organization to replace Nathan. That includes former Sox pitcher Jon Rauch.
"He's been so good against us, he's been amazing,'' Guillen said.
The lack of a proven closer creates a big question for the Twins, in Guillen's estimation.
"I still believe they have a good ballclub," Guillen said. "But now Gardy has to look around and say, 'OK, who is going to be the guy?' That happens to every manager when your closer gets hurt. Is everyone going to take advantage of that? Of course. I'd rather face anybody out there, any pitcher they have than Nathan. Nathan, the door was closed when you got to Nathan.''
For now, the Twins will hold auditions within their organization to replace Nathan. That includes former Sox pitcher Jon Rauch.
"If Rauch is the closer, I will take my chance," Guillen said. "I was
talking to (bench coach) Joey Cora on the way here and said, 'I will take that chance.'
It's nothing against Rauch, but Nathan is so good against us. ... I don't
remember in the six or seven years with this ballclub that we had a good
day against him except once, that's it.''
Guillen said the only encouraging aspect to the timing of Nathan's injury for Minnesota was that the Twins have nearly four weeks to find a closer before the regular season starts.
"When you lose a guy like that, it doesn't matter if you're in the middle of the season, end of the season -- right now they can go out and get somebody," Guillen said. "That's the only difference. They have more chances right now to see what they can be, but when you lose a guy like that, it's hard to recover."
"When you lose a guy like that, it doesn't matter if you're in the middle of the season, end of the season -- right now they can go out and get somebody," Guillen said. "That's the only difference. They have more chances right now to see what they can be, but when you lose a guy like that, it's hard to recover."
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They still have Neshak and Crain. It's not like their bullpen blows.
Jon Rauch the Twins closer? Sweet!