Thursday, we wrapped up the closer situation in National League, today we will take a look at the American League picture. I do wonder with the move towards openers if we are going to eventually see a radical approach to closers. Would more teams consider using their best pitcher not automatically in a save situation, but when the game is on the line, even if that’s in the 6th inning? Probably not. Agents would have a stroke, but the game does seem to be changing, and teams should never be afraid to do what is best to get a win. Playing a certain player to the save rule is just silly.
American League
Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles have much more to worry about than who will close for them next season. I mean, they have to find a starting pitching staff first or it won’t matter if the second coming of Mariano Rivera is closing. It’s unlikely they will spend money on an established closer in free agency so it seems likely that someone will have to be chosen from whatever stable of relievers they have in spring training. It won’t matter, you won’t want to spend any kind of draft capitol on them.
Boston Red Sox: You can take your pick as to what was a bigger disaster this season for Boston, the starting pitching or the bullpen. In the end, they made the right decision in not offering Craig Kimbrel the money he was looking for, but they were also wrong not to replace him with someone trustworthy. The problem is, they don’t have a ton of money to spend. That could change of course with a trade or if J.D. Martinez were to opt-out of his contract and leave the team. One has to think they will look to upgrade from Brandon Workman in any case.
Chicago White Sox: Alex Colome had a more than solid season at closer for the White Sox and it would seem likely that he will be brought back once again in that role.
Cleveland Indians: Brad Hand was having a very good season at closer until a tired arm took him out of action in early September. Hand has returned to the bullpen and looks like himself but hasn’t received any save opportunities since before the injury. Hand was probably just feeling the effects of a long season and unless the Indians decide to save money and trade him, he will likely be back as the team’s closer in 2020.
Detroit Tigers: Like the Orioles, the Tigers need to find a starting pitching staff first. The team traded Shane Greene at the deadline and went with Joe Jimenez to finish out the season at closer. They may elect to keep Jimenez in the role next season as they have already admitted that the earliest, they expect to be a competitive team once again is in 2021. There is little reason to spend money on a closer if you don’t expect to be a good team.
Houston Astros: Roberto Osuna has been inconsistent at times this season but overall has been what we have expected at closer for Houston. The Astros should once again be a really good team next season and everyone will want to have the closer on a team that we expect to win close to 100 games once again, and that closer will be Osuna.
Kansas City Royals: Since taking over the closer role, Ian Kennedy has provided the Royals with a reliable reliever to close out games. Kennedy is signed for next season and it stands to reason that he will close once again. That being said, Kennedy may prove to be more valuable to the Royals as a starter if they aren’t able to pick up one or two in free agency. Kennedy will also have a chance to be traded at next year’s deadline should he remain closer and Kansas City once again not be all that competitive.
Los Angeles Angels: Hansel Robles has been another pleasant surprise at closer this season. Robles would seem to the favorite to keep the job next season, but the Angels are expected to be one of those teams that will spend money in free agency. Perhaps they go all-in on Gerrit Cole, but if they don’t land him and don’t like anyone else in the free-agent market, perhaps they go to plan B and sign the best free-agent closer available. I would think this is unlikely, but it’s not out of the question.
Minnesota Twins: It seems everyone has gotten a chance to close for Minnesota this season, but the position certainly settled down once Taylor Rogers took over the job. Can he keep it next season? Possibly, but he will likely face competition either from his own teammates or outside help the Twins might bring in. The team isn’t likely to spend big money on a closer but might take a shot at the secondary market for a top setup man who could compete for the closer role in spring training.
New York Yankees: Will Aroldis Chapman opt out of his contract? The smart money would say yes. Chapman may not throw as hard as he once did, but he still tops 100 MPH from time to time and had a very good season. Chapman also had to see the money that Kimbrel received from the Cubs and he has to know he can do better. If Chapman were to leave the Yankees, the team would be covered as they could just move Zach Britton from the 8th inning to the 9th and re-sign Dellin Betances or another top setup man to cover for Britton.
Oakland Athletics: Blake Treinen owners are likely still crying. He is the poster picture for why you don’t spend top draft capital on a closer. Treinen was a top-five closer coming into the season who just flamed out and lost the job to Liam Hendriks. The Athletics don’t have money to spend on a closer, so they always go from within, but with Hendriks, they have a top closer anyway.
Seattle Mariners: Yet another team that isn’t ready to compete next season. The Mariners traded away several closers this season, granted all second-tier one. Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland were sent to Washington and Cory Gearrin was let go to sign with the Yankees. They won’t spend for a top closer, but this bullpen is a work in progress to put it nicely. They will likely go with a closer by committee approach in 2020.
Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays do a great job of making things up on the go. Whether it’s using an opener or how they close out games. Yes, they are a small market team, but they don’t put anyone in the closer role, they expect every pitcher to be ready to pitch when needed. Jose Alvarado started the season at closer but fell off a cliff rather quickly. Several other relievers were used, most recently Emilio Pagan, but trusting this team to stick with just one reliever in the 9th inning is likely foolish.
Texas Rangers: The Rangers signed Jose Leclerc to be their closer before this season before losing the job to poor performance. Leclerc only gained it back due to several other injuries but has looked better this time around. Leclerc likely will go into next season as the closer for Texas but he could have a short leash should he falter once again.
Toronto Blue Jays: The Jays almost traded Ken Giles at the trade deadline this season but an arm injury probably scared teams away. Giles could always be traded away during the offseason, especially if a team that loses out on a top closer, and is looking for a second choice. If Giles stays though, he will be the closer for Toronto once again.
