Felipe has plenty of flaws worthy of criticism.  Are we now going to crucify him for the platitudes he feeds the media?  Every public figure, particularly in sports, must be as bland and naive to the media as possible lest they become embroiled in controversy.  

(If anyone is wondering, I was one of the many calling for Sabean's immediate removal and made the witty comment about Stanton lowering the avg. age of the team.)

And why not?  If everything else was the same but Benitez did his job and saved all three games, sure we're 3-6 but still only 1.5 games behind.  If he even saved 2 of 3, we're still only 2.5 games out and at .500 once again.  

So why throw a fit at that?  And he did act, they put Benitez on the spot, putting his position in question in public, then gave him a vote of confidence by declaring him the closer.  

Why?  Because they really had no choice right now.  Had Wilson done as well as he did in the minors last season, I think we would have seen him closing.  Had Accardo met the potential that we had envisioned, I think he wouldn't have been traded and would have took the closer role.  As leader, you need to make the best of your situation, however unideal it is.

The Billy Martin tandrums only work for a short while, that is why he would get results immediately and shortly after that the troops would be tired of his act and he would be gone again.  To be successful, you have to be part psychiatrist and see the big picture and what the alternatives are.  

In this case, if you the manager put up some sort of public stink, particularly if the players are playing as hard as they can, they will think you are a poser playing up to the media and showing up the players and you just lost the confidence of the players in your abilities as manager.  

However, if you play it cool, because you think the guys are pressing, hopefully that will ease the pressure a bit and they can play to their abilities instead of pressing.  They can then let their natural abilities show instead of overthinking things and reacting to things instead of just doing what comes instinctually.

"I can't change the closer myself. We have to decide that as an organization."

Scenario 1: Change closer method. It works.
Felipe can say: We made the decision as an organization. I'm happy Chulk/Accardo/Hennessey/Kline is doing so well as the closer.

Scenario 2: Keep Benitez. It works.
Felipe can say: It worked out. I told you I had faith in the guy who we got to be the closer.

Scenario 3: Keep Benitez. It bombs.
Felipe can say: We made the decision as an organization. What did you expect when we don't have use our closer? (Subtext: It's Sabean's fault.)

Scenario 4: Change closer method. It bombs.
Felipe can say: We made the decision as an organization. We need to have a closer. (Subtext: I don't choose the players I'm given. None of these guys have saved games before, so how am I supposed to find a good closer?)

Maybe if he showed such enthusiasm or taken responsibility for his own ineptness from time to time he would have a little credibility.  

He's a 2 million dollar per year fraud.  He's gone at the end of the season so good riddance to his 4 year malaise.