Jose Mesa

Brian O'Neill argues for the good old bullpen-by-committee.

I don't believe Mac has an irrational allegiance to having one guy be your closer. In previous years, the Pirates did what they could to inflate Mike Williams' trade value and this meant saying whatever nonsense you had to say to leave him in there when he was struggling. This year, we have Mesa, whose career shows a pretty clear pattern. If you only bring him for save opportunities, he pitches pretty well. If you try to use him as part of a committee, he's a disaster.

All signs point to Mesa not returning next year. Don't be surprised if the Pirates go with a committee next year.