"QUESTION: How do you think Jason Motte will perform next season as the full-time closer in name and duty? Do you the think the pressure of being called "the closer" will affect him as much as Tony La Russa seemed to indicate might happen?

JOE STRAUSS

I believe any pressure associated with carrying the "closer" label is minimal compared to what is associated with closing postseason games. A better question may be how frequently Mike Matheny goes to Motte before spacing his appearances. For now, I simply hope Matheny doesn't excoriate media like his predecessor for using the term in connection with Motte.

RICK HUMMEL

Now that he has better command of his secondary pitches, Motte should be fine as the closer. But the proof will come after he has a bad game or a series of bad games. How quickly can he rebound? That answer is unknown."