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Roberto Osuna named closer for Blue Jays

By Matthew Schoettler

Mar 26, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Blue Jays recently named Roberto Osuna their closer for the 2016 season, despite the offseason addition of Drew Storen.

Last season, Roberto Osuna made the rare jump from High-A to the MLB in efforts to help bolster the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen. For the majority of the 2015 season, the Toronto Blue Jays struggled to find stability at the back-end of their bullpen, and it resulted in the team having the league’s least amount of saves. However, towards the tail-end of last year, Roberto Osuna emerged as the go-to option out of the bullpen, and he cemented his place on the roster by becoming the Jays’ closer.

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The Toronto Blue Jays made a deep playoff push and were close to making it to the World Series, but the Kansas City Royals ended their run. This offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays looked to address their bullpen woes; thus, they decided to strike a deal with the Washington Nationals that sent Ben Revere to the nation’s capital in exchange for former closer Drew Storen.

With the addition of Jonathan Papelbon at the trade deadline last season, the Washington Nationals viewed Drew Storen as an expendable piece, but it should be noted that Storen was upset over the Papelbon acquisition last season. By the Blue Jays acquiring Storen, many believed that he would enter the 2016 season as the Blue Jays’ closer, despite Roberto Osuna having a better 2015, albeit abbreviated. Storen finished the 2015 season with a 3.44 ERA, 2.79 FIP, and a 10.96 K/9.

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If it were not for a disastrous second-half collapse, Drew Storen might have been one of the best closers over the duration of the 2015 season; however, the arrival of Papelbon seemed to derail his season. Moreover, Storen might have carried more value in the trade market, too. Despite the addition of Storen, the Blue Jays want to stick with their “in-house” option and give the closing duties to Roberto Osuna. After posting a 2.58 ERA, 3.02 FIP, and 9.69 K/9, Osuna looks to build off a strong 2015.

While Drew Storen’s advanced stats point to him being a better option at the end of games, Roberto Osuna will get the first crack at closing games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016. John Gibbons, Blue Jays manager, announced Wednesday morning that Osuna would be the closer to open the season, claiming that his familiarity with Osuna ultimately led to the decision.

John Gibbons’ remarks towards the closing duties leaves more to be desired, because it seems as if Roberto Osuna does not have a firm grasp on the duties. Should Roberto Osuna stumble out of the gate, Drew Storen would be next in line to assume the role. The Toronto Blue Jays desperately needed some additional relief arms, and Drew Storen offers much needed value, even if it is in a setup role. If Roberto Osuna comes out of the gates clicking, the closer role will be a non-issue moving forward.

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Barring a sophomore slump, Roberto Osuna should run with the closing duties in Toronto. With Drew Storen and Roberto Osuna pitching at the tail-end of games, Aaron Sanchez might get a look at the starting rotation this season.

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