MLB: Five closers already on the hot seat in 2016
Which MLB relievers could soon find themselves bounced from the closer role? Here are five names to keep an eye on.
Not every MLB team is blessed with a stable closer situation. A ninth inning merry-go-round aggravates fanbases and can be a headache for fantasy baseball owners as well. With the depth of quality arms available in many bullpens today, clubs can afford to keep their closers on short leashes and replace them if they become too much of a liability at the end of games.
The Cincinnati Reds have already removed J.J. Hoover from the closer’s role, supplanting him in favor of a closer-by-committee approach. It’s hard to blame manager Bryan Price for the decision: Hoover had surrendered an eyebrow-raising nine earned runs (including three homers) in only 5.1 innings of work.
Hoover almost certainly won’t be the only closer to lose his job at some point this season. Although we’re just under three weeks into the campaign, a handful of relievers have already demonstrated some shakiness in the role. Here are five closers who could soon find themselves banished from the ninth inning if they don’t right the ship.
Next: Shawn Tolleson
Shawn Tolleson (Texas Rangers)
Shawn Tolleson has nailed down five saves in six opportunities so far (and he went 35-for-37 in save chances a year ago) but it hasn’t exactly been pretty. In six innings, the 28-year-old right-hander has surrendered six runs on nine hits.
It’s worth noting that five of those runs came in Tolleson’s second appearance of the season, when blew a save against the Mariners while failing to record an out. However, he has still looked hardly automatic, allowing four hits over his next five frames while striking out just two.
The Rangers also have an enticing option waiting in the wings in Sam Dyson. After posting a 2.63 ERA in 75.1 innings last year, Dyson has maintained his high level of effectiveness into 2016. Over eight innings, he has allowed just one run on five hits while striking out eight.
Next: Santiago Casilla
Santiago Casilla (San Francisco Giants)
Santiago Casilla‘s numbers don’t look bad on the surface, but the closer has blown two of five save chances thus far for the San Francisco Giants. He blew six all of last year, when he collected a career-high 38 saves. And despite a 3.38 ERA, his FIP currently sits at 5.10.
Casilla has been an on-again, off-again closer for the Giants over the past several seasons, so the team likely wouldn’t flinch at moving the 35-year-old into a setup role. As a squad with division title aspirations in 2016, they won’t stick too long with an option they’re not comfortable with.
He’s probably safe for the immediate future, but if Casilla continues to struggle locking down saves, the Giants could turn to Hunter Strickland or lefty Josh Osich.
Next: Jason Grilli
Jason Grilli (Atlanta Braves)
Jason Grilli entered the 2016 season as a co-closer with Arodys Vizcaino. Based on his early performances, he could soon cede that responsibility to his teammate completely.
The 39-year-old Grilli has already blown two out of three save opportunities in the early going. He has allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits and seven walks over five innings. Not exactly inspiring stuff.
A 14-year veteran, Grilli racked up 69 saves for the Pirates, Angels and Braves from 2013-2015. However, the rebuilding Braves would likely be better served seeing what the 25-year-old Vizcaino can do in the role full-time. The young righty hasn’t given up a run yet in five frames and has struck out eight.
Next: Francisco Rodriguez
Francisco Rodriguez (Detroit Tigers)
The Tigers acquired Francisco Rodriguez to be their closer over the offseason, but he hasn’t enjoyed the smoothest start in the Motor City. Though he has converted four of five save opportunities, he sports a bloated 7.11 ERA in 6.1 innings pitched. In that span K-Rod has served up two homers, walked four and struck out only three.
Rodriguez was once the most electrifying reliever in baseball, saving 194 games for the Angels from 2005 to 2008. He experienced a bit of a renaissance the last two years with the Brewers, notching a total of 82 saves as the team’s closer.
At age 34, however, you can’t help but wonder how much is left in the tank. The Tigers will likely show some patience with the active saves leader, but if he continues to falter they probably won’t hesitate to put him in a setup role, where he does have experience. In that case, right-hander Mark Lowe (2.04 FIP) would likely be the next man up.
Next: Kevin Jepsen
Kevin Jepsen (Minnesota Twins)
The Minnesota Twins were dealt an early blow when closer Glen Perkins was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. 31-year-old righty Kevin Jepsen took the reins but he hasn’t looked very convincing in his new role.
Jepsen has blown one of three save chances and has already been saddled with three losses in the young season. In 6.2 innings, he has given up four runs (three earned) on seven hits. He has struck out six, but walked three.
Some thought that 26-year-old Trevor May would be given the first crack at taking over Perkins’ spot, and if Jepsen keeps struggling he could soon find himself in that position. May has looked good so far, allowing two earned runs in eight innings (2.25 ERA) while fanning an impressive 14.
Next: 5 managers on the hot seat
Which closers do you think should be looking over their shoulders? Any that aren’t on this list? Sound off in the comment section below.