By Dejan Kovacevic | 12:40 a.m. Monday
Drowned out by the ridiculous comeback your club made yesterday was that Matt Capps again faltered late, again gave up a bunch of hits and again did not put his team in the best position to win.
It is killing him, to be sure, to be pitching like this. But the larger issue is whether or not it will be killing the Pirates into the future.
Neal Huntington said yesterday that Capps will be the closer next spring.
"Barring some unforeseen circumstance, if Matt comes into camp in the best shape, ready to pitch, he will be our closer," Huntington said. "We absolutely believe in him. If it doesn't work out, we have other options with Joel Hanrahan, Jesse Chavez and Evan Meek."
Do not read too much into the "best shape" line. That is standard for Huntington when discussing any incumbent for next spring and, as has been addressed here before, no one is down on Capps' conditioning.
But know this, too: The Pirates have everything to gain from saying Capps will be their closer, if only to enhance his trade value this offseason. Remember that they did offer him to teams at the past deadline, but his value was low. Remember, too, that closers can be the most over-valued commodity in the business, and teams that acquire them through trades often overpay, upon hindsight analysis. Closers can be created and often are. Ask Ryan Franklin in St. Louis.
What happens with Capps could be one of the offseason's most interesting developments.
Linkage to the general coverage ...
> Game story: Pirates 6, Dodgers 5. Lastings Milledge registers another one on the Pirates' wow meter, which only goes to show that every team -- no matter its record -- still ends up producing at least a handful of these over 162. There was some good pitching in this one, notably Daniel McCutchen, who looked comfortable out there against an exceptional lineup. Box score
> Audio: Milledge, on his big hit.
> Notebook: Why is Frank Coonelly the only one vocally upset by the season? Huntington addresses the question. Also, Pedro Alvarez and Brad Lincoln win gold medals.
> Left over from Sunday: The annual player survey is this week's On the Pirates feature. And, on the Forum's Next Page, there is a piece on the legacy of Hank Greenberg.
> Chat: None today because of the day game, obviously. It will return for a final session Oct. 5.
And from other realms ...
> Video: Highlights from yesterday, from MLB.com.
> Opponent: The Dodgers, by the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez.