Call to the pen
Fansided

Oakland Athletics: Three options at closer

By Adam Taylor McKillop

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics reacts to striking out Josh Reddick #22 of the Houston Astros to end the eighth inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Liam Hendriks #16 of the Oakland Athletics reacts to striking out Josh Reddick #22 of the Houston Astros to end the eighth inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Jake Diekman

The easiest and simplest choice for replacing Hendriks comes in the form of Jake Diekman, a formidable left-hander with late-inning experience. Diekman signed with the Oakland Athletics in 2019, before enjoying a breakout campaign last season.

The 33-year-old appeared in 21 games last year, pitching to a 0.42 ERA and 0.938 WHIP. The lefty was incredible at preventing runs scored and racked up 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

With Diekman under contract through 2022, he represents the best relief option the Athletics currently have on the payroll. And for that reason, he’s the current favorite to replace Hendriks next season.

Still, this poses a rather risky option for the A’s. While Diekman was phenomenal last season, he lacks the truest test of a 9th-inning man, serious closer experience. Diekman has only seven saves in his 9-year MLB career.

The other hurdle for Diekman is getting over his walk ratio. He walked 5.1 batters per nine innings last season, even while putting together a sub-1.00 ERA. In 2019, Diekman walked 7.1 batters per nine. This is a hugely-concerning statistic for closers.

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