Today we are going to wrap up the Closer Report for the 2019 MLB season by looking at the future at the position for each team in the National League. I’ve stated before, if you’re playing in a keeper league, closers shouldn’t be kept unless it’s a deep keeper league or unless you have no other options. There just isn’t much consistency at the position. Just ask those owners who had Edwin Diaz this season.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks: Remember when Greg Holland won the job out of spring training despite being outpitched by Archie Bradley? Holland was always going to fail at the job, but I understood the thinking by Arizona. The preferred to have Bradley pitch more than one inning and also when the game was on the line rather than pigeonhole him into a save situation. It does make sense, but once Holland failed, they had no choice but to go with Bradley. The Dbacks could look to import a closer this offseason and return Bradley to his multiple inning role.
Atlanta Braves: It’s funny how nothing went right for the Braves at the closer position this season until they acquired Mark Melancon from the Giants at the trade deadline. Yes, Melancon who was terrible with the Giants and comes with a $15.5 million per season contract. Well, Arodys Vizcaino was traded after suffering a season-ending injury and Luke Jackson wasn’t fooling anyone in the ninth-inning role. Melancon seized the job and at that price may go into next season as the favorite to keep the role.
Chicago Cubs: There is little denying that Craig Kimbrel has been a disaster since signing with Chicago. Maybe this changes next year when he has a full spring training, maybe not. There was a reason Boston pretty much told him not to let the door hit him on the backside on his way out of town. Perhaps they knew hew was done. The Cubs better hope not.
Cincinnati Reds: Raisel Iglesias had some inconsistent moments this season but all in all, was a very solid closer. One would think he should remain in that role next season and remember, the Reds, with a rotation highlighted by Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Trevor Bauer, and Anthony DeSclafani could be a team on the rise next year.
Colorado Rockies: Will the Rockies give Wade Davis another shot at the role? Maybe. Davis is the high priced veteran which plays to his advantage, but he was a dumpster fire this year. Scott Oberg deserved to get the job much earlier than it was actually given to him but then unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury before we could truly find out how good he could be. Jairo Diaz could also be in the mix here. The bottom line is, it’s a mess, and if Colorado chooses Davis, let him be someone else’s problem.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Kenley Jansen has had some issues this season, but it would be an upset if he isn’t closing once again for the Dodgers in 2020. He’ll be a top 10 closer, but shouldn’t be drafted top five, just too many physical issues here.
Miami Marlins: There closer probably isn’t on the roster unless they want to move Ryne Stanek on the roster. It could come down to the Marlins not wanting to pay for a closer which means they will once again go with a committee. It really doesn’t matter, until this team gets serious about winning and acquires better players, you won’t want anyone out of this bullpen.
Milwaukee Brewers: Sure, Josh Hader has given up a few home runs this season, who hasn’t, but otherwise has had a good season closing out games. However, if Corey Knebel (Tommy John) comes back from surgery 100% healthy, the team may feel that once again they are better off with Knebel closing out games and keeping Hader in his multi-inning role as a setup man. In any case, Hader will be a valuable reliever as he will gather some saves and strikes out enough batters to garner a starting spot as a middle reliever who can protect your ratios.
New York Mets: Talk about a trade that blew up in your face from every possible direction. Edwin Diaz was just a disaster this season. One could say that he is one of the main reasons that the Mets won’t make the playoffs. That being said, unless the club moves him during the offseason, and that seems unlikely as then the team would be admitting what a colossal blunder they made in acquiring Diaz for one of the top prospects in baseball in Jarred Kelenic.
Philadelphia Phillies: Have you forgotten that David Robertson was supposed to be the closer for Philly this season? Hard to believe isn’t it? Robertson should be out next year as well. Hector Neris did a fine job as closer, but Philly may want a more veteran closer to take the job or they may spend all of their money on a top-notch starter or two should the choose.
Pittsburgh Pirates: What a mess this is? Felipe Vasquez has massive legal troubles that could see him wind up in jail and/or deported. He is likely to be suspended in any case by MLB as well. The Pirates don’t have the funds to acquire a top closer via free agency so they are likely to go with someone from within the organization and right now the leading candidates are Keone Kela and Kyle Crick, but there will be changes made to this organization, bank on it.
San Diego Padres: The Padres seem to talk about trading Kirby Yates at every trade deadline, but then also keep him. He’s a solid closer and should remain in the job for San Diego next year. This is a team on the rise with all of the young talent they have. They just need more starting pitching.
San Francisco Giants: Will Smith was one of the bigger surprises this season as he put together an outstanding campaign. It was an upset that SF didn’t move him at the trade deadline, but they bought into the hype that they may be able to compete for a playoff spot, something that was never going to happen. A left-handed reliever is always valuable, especially one with the talent of Smith. The Giants could always re-visit trading him as he would still bring back a haul, but he likely remains at closer for the Giants in 2020.
St. Louis Cardinals: Who knows is the best answer here as to who will close next season. The Cardinals are said not to be done with the idea of having Carlos Martinez be a starter. Jordan Hicks had Tommy John surgery and certainly won’t be ready to close, at least not the beginning of last season. The Cards have the money to go out and get one and that seems to be what they likely will do if they do truly believe that CMart will once again be a starter and not their future closer.
Washington Nationals: The most important offseason maneuver for the Nationals will be to either extend Stephen Strasburg or give him a new contract. Once that problem is resolved, they can worry about what to do at closer. Should they stick with Sean Doolittle, who is underwhelming but for the most part gets the job done? Should they worry more about setup up men, a position they generally ignore? The Nationals seem to have the same problem year after year, and it’s the bullpen.
