Is Brandon Lyon a long-term answer, short-term answer, or no answer?

Well, with opening day one week closer, there is still not a lot to report in the latest spring training edition of Pen Notes. The majority of relievers do not do more than an inning here an inning there, and usually against subpar hitters. Nevertheless, I am tirelessly devoted to you loyal readers and after scouring the web I will gleefully share with what I have found.

As always, please direct any bullpen questions you might have. We will publish your emails and my responses, if that is any incentive to you, especially if you happen to be of the gentler sex and want to meet up for extra time to work on your arm after the game in the Pen.

Cubs’ Closer Battle

The hottest topic among Cubs fans, other than where to get the best Prozac for their chronic depression, is who the closer will be.

With Ryan Dempster moving to the starting rotation, it is a three-way fight between Bob Howry, Carlos Marmol, and Kerry Wood. Given he was the best out of the pen last season (except for Game One of the playoffs), Marmol would figure to be the shoe in. Surprisingly, though it has indeed been a competition, with no clear winner as of yet. For as Howry notes in an article by Carrie Muskat on MLB.com, "You do need defined roles, ... But on Feb. 19, you need to be getting ready for the season. It doesn't matter [who the closer is] until March 31. You need to know on [Opening Day] what your role is going to be."

Looking over the numbers, Howry looks to be the third horse in a two horse race. His ERA of 11.57 is more than twice that of Wood's 5.4, and exponentially to a infinite degree higher than Marmol's 0.0. Marmol's the only one whose had a save opportunity, and obviously given his ERA, he closed the deal. All three have pitched between 4 and 5 innings, where Howry and Wood have struck out 2 batters a piece, and Marmol 5.

Yet, that really is too small a sample size to judge anything, and spring training numbers mean little as Howry again notes,

"Spring Training is about building up your arm strength and working on things ... You could have a save situation in Spring Training games, but who really cares? You've got 5,000 people in the stands. If you blow it, there's nothing on the line. There's absolutely nothing in trying to save a game in Spring Training that prepares you for saving a game in the season."

That said, if I were the betting type, I'd bet my defaulting mortgage on Marmol.

Don't Say I Didn't Tell You

In last week's article, I used my Nostradamus-like prescient skills of prognostication to say pay attention to Freddy Dolsi.

As of right now, he is still baseball's 2008 saves leader with not one, not even two, but three whole saves.

Manager Jim Leyland commented on Dolsi in an article for the Detroit Free Press, stating,

As John Lowe noted in a Detroit Free Press article, “ He has a chance to be real good – I like him a lot. He’s not afraid. He’s not ready yet, but he’s a prospect. He’s the kind of guy who can be ready during the year.”

Keep him on your radar screen.

A Pair of Mets

Although Johan Santana got all the headlines this offseason for the team from space – err, Queens, rather – a pair of rookies have been taking care of business as if they're getting paid hundreds of millions in relief.

Carlos Muniz and Joselo Diaz have pitched a combined eight scoreless innings, with four saves between the two of them. Muniz has been more impressive, with four strikeouts and just one walk, but both have certainly been solid. Both remain longshots to be regulars in the Mets bullpen, but either one or the pair could easily see time in the majors over the course of the season.

The Diamondbacks’ Closer

Despite allowing four runs and striking out none in his 4.0 innings of spring work, Brandon Lyon appears to be the Diamondbacks closer come Opening Day. He has some big shoes to fill, as the pitcher who wore them last year lead both leagues in saves.

He is not your typical closer, as Diamondbacks’ beat writer for the Arizona Republic Dan Bickley noted. “He is not intimidating. He doesn't emote. He doesn't have the scowl or the transcendent pitch. And this new closer in town must have Diamondbacks fans a bit worried entering the 2008 season.”

Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder is not worried about what he lacks, though, stressing instead what he has. “He's got the brains, he's got the guts and he's got heart.”

However, perception is not always reality, especially in the desert. You have to consider the move behind the move as Keith Glab of Scout.com writes,

"The organization insists that Scherzer has the stuff to start. However, most scouts agree that his stuff is major-league-bullpen ready now, but that he needs a few more years of honing his secondary pitches to become a fixture in the rotation. So the plan may very well be to use Lyon as a stopgap, turn the ball to Scherzer if the Boras client is hot or if Lyon is cold, then finally turn to Pena around 2010 when Scherzer is converted back to a starter."

For the record, Scherzer has a 7.50 ERA in three innings of work this spring. That is not impressive, but the eight strikeouts certainly are. Scherzer is definitely someone to keep an eye on in the MLB transaction lists.

Injuries & Analysis

It has been rough goings for the Phillies and Tigers who have four and five Pen injuries, respectively. Thankfully, Brad Lidge threw a bullpen session recently, but owners cannot be overly optimistic about the start of what was supposed to be a turnaround year for Lidge. As for Tigers fans – no worries, as you have Freddy Dolsi.

Apparently, Takashi Sato threw batting practice before Wednesday's game and felt no pain. He is not a young man, so one should take injuries very seriously with him. Owners should be ready to deal if a good offer comes along.

Finally, BJ Ryan is schedule to make his first appearance of the spring Friday. Pay close attention to this as it will not define the outcome of his 2008 season, but it will be the first chance for the public to see what he has.