Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen needs to be top priority
The General Manager meetings are scheduled for this week in Scottsdale, Arizona. Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen has a major part of his team to improve, the bullpen.
There is no question as to which part of the Arizona Diamondbacks needs the most attention this off-season. That is the bullpen, more specifically the team’s closer. It was unstable at best for most of the year before Archie Bradley eventually settled into the closer role.
The Greg Holland experiment did not go well and it might be the kick in the pants the organization needs. For a few years now, they have signed aging relievers who have been a little past their prime, but everyone felt they more than likely could contribute and still pitch well.
Unfortunately, that has not been the case for the D-backs. You could say they are snake-bitten when it comes to the closer role. I know, terrible pun, but it is true. They have not had much success whatsoever in the bullpen.
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Bradley jumped in full-time as the closer once the team DFA’d Holland for assignment. He did well, earning 18 saves in 21 save opportunities with a 3.52 ERA and 87 strikeouts. The team needs to decide if he is going to be their full-time closer.
I’m not sure if Bradley is the full-time closer, he strikes me as more of a setup man. The guy who is going to come in and set the table for the guy in the 9th. Maybe the D-backs decide to go with a closer by committee and just play it by match-ups each game.
That latter idea is a bad one. I think as a player, the more clearly defined role you have, the better you are prepared for success. I’m not quite sure what the answer for the team is. There are plenty of veteran relievers, but I fear the same thing would happen if they go down the same path.
Grading the DBacks in 2019. dark. Next
I say sign a veteran reliever, like Sergio Romo, but only to be a setup guy as you feel out whether Bradley is going to be the closer of the future or not for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Let him spend the whole season with that defined role and see where it goes from there. That way you also have a backup should Bradley flame out.