I think Qualls should be used as a reliever. He has the potential to become a closer at some point in his career, if he continues to improve. Qualls was a starter for most of his minor league career, but he was inconsistent in that role. Qualls was pitching poorly as a starter in AAA during 2004, but turned it around completely when he was moved to a reliever/closer role for New Orleans. Changing to the reliever role enabled him to get to the major league team last year. Ironically, Backe was changed from reliever to starter at about the same time that Qualls made his switch...and that also had the effect of improving Backe's performance. Some pitchers are better relievers and some are better starters,and I'm guessing that Qualls found his niche as a good reliever.