MLB Closer Watch 2009
Baseball closer is not a position with much job security. We update our Closer Watch grid daily in-season (and pretty often off-season) so you know who's in line for saves with each MLB club.
Update: TB -- 7/2/2009
The Indians traded a young relief prospect for an older one today, sending Jonathan Meloan to the Tampa Bay Rays for Winston Abreu. Neither figures to have much bullpen impact right away.
Updated 7/3/2009
| Closer | Leaning In | Notes | |
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BAL Sherrill |
Ray Johnson Hoey |
New lefty George Sherrill has taken over in Baltimore, with Chris Ray likely to be left on the outside looking in when he returns. That's unless the Orioles decide to flip Sherrill for more young talent in the winter, of course, which might be their best roster-building option. Speaking of young talent, James Hoey will be back this year, and still has some of that 'closer of the future' vibe around him. |
 |
BOS Papelbon |
Saito Okajima Ramirez Bard Masterson |
Papelbon continues season-to-season in Boston, and will now be backed up by a mix of old (Okajima, Saito and maybe John Smoltz), new (Ramon Ramirez), and intriguing (Wes Littleton). The depth in the bullpen should allow the Red Sox to try Justin Masterson back in the rotation... maybe. |
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NYY Rivera |
Bruney (DL) Melancon Marte Ramirez Cox |
Ignore the hype: Mo is a Yankee for life and will be holding the league in check once again. Marte and Ramirez will be back in setup roles for 2009, at least, but minor leaguers Cox and Melancon have the hunger and the heat to push ahead sooner or later. |
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TOR Downs (DL) |
Frasor Accardo Ryan League |
Toronto gambled on Ryan and got one of the league's best, at least until his 2007 ended ended with TJ surgery in mid-May. His return was bumpy, and there are ominous signs that his velocity is still down in 2009, but he's the most proven arm available, so the job remains his to lose. If he does lose it, both Jeremy Accardo (who notched 30 saves in 2007) and Scott Downs (1.78 ERA in 2008) are ready to take over at any time. |
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TB Wheeler |
Percival (DL) Balfour Meloan Howell Isringhausen (DL) |
The Rays acquisition of Percival and early announcement that he'd be their closer for 2008 left Al Reyes, who did a superb job in the role last year, in limbo. While they recently re-signed Reyes, Dan Wheeler would appear to be superior in a setup role. Percival, while no longer the dominant force he was in the 90's, will bring some stability and experience to the young team. The reborn Grant Balfour, whose new moving fastball frustrated hitters all year, is another fine option. The Rays are leaders among MLB teams when it comes to postmodern (situational) bullpen use, though, so don't bank on any one answer being correct every day of the year, here. |
 |
OAK Bailey |
Ziegler Wuertz Casilla Devine (DL) |
Both highlight-reel rookie Brad Ziegler and closer of the forever-future Joey Devine were terrific in the closing months of 2008, but the former's solid spring gave him the job early. Devine's season-ending elbow injury solidified the spot for Ziegler, but considering how Billy Beane loves soaking up prospects, there could still be three or four more new names on this list by August. |
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LAA Fuentes |
Speier R-Rodriguez Arredondo Oliver Jepsen |
The Angels didn't only have baseball's best closer, they also had the best entire bullpen behind him. So if any team can survive the departure of K-Rod, it's this one. Fuentes, |
 |
SEA Aardsma |
Lowe Kelley (DL) Fields Cordero |
New GM Jack Zduriencik didn't wait long to shake things up in Seattle, sending ace closer JJ Putz and reliever Sean Green to the Mets in exchange for six young players. After bouncing between half a dozen options in spring, the Mariners did a 180-degree turn and named Brandon Morrow as their closer. That experiment flamed out quickly, and Morrow's now back on the starters' path. David Aardsma, a fine fastballer with good numbers, should be able to hold down the gig full time, as he's been much more effective than any other reliever. |
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TEX Francisco (DL) |
Wilson O'Day Fukumori |
Relievers sure don't stay in good graces for long in Texas. First CJ Wilson fell out of favor, then the 'Everyday' Eddie Guardado experiment came and went, and this winter they cut loose their 'closer of the future' Wes Littleton. Frank Francisco is the name on top of the chart now, and based on his early success, Franky Two-Times should hold down the job well into 2010. |
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CHW Jenks |
Dotel Linebrink Thornton |
The entire Sox bullpen was vastly improved in 2008, and it looks to remain that way in 2009, assuming the team doesn't move some of its "extra" arms to fill in some lineup holes along the way. That never works out well. |
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CLE Wood |
Betancourt C Perez Lewis |
Kerry Wood parachuted in to rescue (?) the spotty Indians relief crew this year, but he's no lock to remain stable. The reliable Lewis and Rafael Perez, who did capable jobs at closer in 2008, entered the season as setup men again, alongside holdover Rafael Betancourt. On the horizon, ex-future-Dodger closer Jon Meloan and onetime Cardinal closer-of-the-future Chris Perez are both getting close to taking their shot. If Wood stumbles, this could be a bloodbath. |
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DET Rodney |
Zumaya Perry Lyon Dolsi |
The Tigers signed Brandon Lyon to compete for the closer's job, though he's not really a much better option than in-house Fernando Rodney. The fragile but fiery Joel Zumaya is still around, too, as a high-upside, high-risk choice. Longer term, youngsters Ryan Perry and Fredi Dolsi are hot gambles for the future, with Perry looking like an increasingly-attractive option as time passes. |
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KC Soria |
Cruz Farnsworth Yabuta |
Quietly, Soria blossomed into one of the league's best in 2008, quietly putting together a sort of Mariano-Lite overlooked season in Kansas City. He's got the job as firmly as any closer in baseball heading for 2009, and the lower pressure of KC should help him continue to thrive. Free agent Kyle Farnsworth is the hottest arm behind him, but also the most delicate. Juan Cruz is probably more dependable. |
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MIN Nathan |
Crain Mijares Neshek (DL) |
Nathan will be back again in 2009, contrary to many predictions, while super-setup man Pat Neshek will be on the sidelines again, finally opting for the TJ surgery he probably needed last season. That means more fireworks are coming from Jesse Crain, with some veteran help sure to return. Rookie Jose Mijares was effective late last year and could lock down a lefty setup role with a strong spring. |
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ARZ Qualls |
Rauch Pena Schoeneweis |
Qualls is the technical closer here, but Arizona's hedging their bets heavily: the 2008 acquisition of towering Jon Rauch and 2009 return of Tony Pena will keep the pressure on all year. It seems likely that Arizona will keep tinkering, as all three are capable closers, but none is a stand-out sure thing. |
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COL Street |
Corpas Buchholz Weathers |
It must stink being Manny Corpas sometimes. The 2007 hero had his job taken away twice by Brian Fuentes in 2008, and now with Fuentes finally out of the picture, in waltzes poster boy closer Huston Street. Street's been hot and cold the last two seasons, of course, so Corpas has hope, as do the still-lurking Taylor Buchholz and the still-developing Casey Weathers, both of whom have shown lights-out potential. |
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LAD Broxton |
Kuo (DL) Seanez |
When contract talks to extend veteran closer Takashi Saito failed, Jon Broxton became the pro forma closer in Los Angeles once again, with no great options behind him. Kuo is a high-powered talent, sure, but his lefthanded trickery is best-suited to a setup role. |
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SD Bell |
Meredith Sanchez |
Heath Bell might not seem like major league closer material, but the cash-strapped Padres are pretty unlikely to bring in a free agent, so it's his job to lose, and he's always shown the stuff to do the job. Cla Meredith is a solid eighth-inning guy who could take over if Bell falters. Reclamation project Duaner Sanchez is also a good bet to return to form in San Diego's pitching incubator. |
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SF Wilson |
Affeldt Romo (DL) Howry |
Wilson did a commendable (if high-ERA) job in 2008, so much that the Giants casually decimated their backup plans in the offseason, releasing their 2008 trio of Correia, Hennessey, and Walker all on the same day. Sergio Romo, probably the Giants' best pitcher down the stretch last year, came up lame in spring training and will need to work hard to get his old setup job back. Whether it comes from within or without, the Giants will need to add some serious bullpen depth soon, so this situation has to be considered extremely fluid. |
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CHC Gregg |
Marmol Heilman |
With Kerry Wood gone, the Cubs showed a surprising lack of faith in setup man Carlos Marmol, opting instead to bring in ex-Marlin Kevin Gregg in a winter trade. As expected, Marmol will return to 7th or 8th inning duty to open 2009, though he remains a hotter long-term closer choice for 2010 or beyond. The mix of arms behind the Big Two is not impressive, so injuries could be devastating here. |
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CIN Cordero |
Weathers Burton Bray |
By signing Francisco Cordero, the Reds have stabilized a bullpen that was once a wild ride of ever-changing players. With Cordero at the end, the other wannabe-closers in Cincinnati suddenly look like a solid bunch of setup guys. If Bill Bray can re-find his touch, he might be the best raw arm on the club. |
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HOU Valverde |
Hawkins Sampson Brocail |
The Big Potato was solid and starchy again for the Astros, and recently added LaTroy Hawkins should provide some strongarm support. Behind them, Brocail looks like the safest bet in a group of average throwers. |
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MLW Hoffman |
Villanueva Riske |
Trevor Hoffman's one year deal delays a tough decision for another year. The arms behind the veteran Hoffman are talented, but for the most part untested under pressure. Converted starter Carlos Villanueva appears to be management's favorite to fill in for Hoffman when necessary. He's not likely to keep the job for long, though. |
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PIT Capps |
Yates Hanrahan Meek Grabow |
Capps had the job last spring, but his poor performance in June revealed a shoulder injury, and his 2009 role is anyone's guess right now. While Grabow and Yates are the nominal backup plans, Daniel McCutchen and even young Evan Meek have also showed that they have all the heat needed to blow away hitters should an opportunity arise. |
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STL Franklin |
Motte McClellan Kinney |
The projected battle between rookies Chris Perez and Jason Motte turned out to be a bust, with veteran Ryan Franklin stepping in to banish them both early on. Motte still looks good as a long-term answer, but his lack of consistency and Franklin's excellent performance have removed the urgency for now. |
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ATL Gonzalez |
Soriano Moylan Carlyle |
The Atlanta bullpen roller coaster is finally settling down again. Lefty Mike Gonzalez will enter 2009 as the team's closer, but Rafael Soriano looks to be healthy and is hungry to get back into the 9th inning. Until then, he'll share setup work with Peter Moylan and Buddy Carlyle. |
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FLA Nunez |
Lindstrom (DL) Kensing Proctor (DL) |
As always, Florida has a bullpen stocked with cheap young arms, and almost any of them can close if called upon. Lindstrom's the nominal leader at the moment, but that's only a formal title when you play (and manage) your baseball Marlins-style. |
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NYM Rodriguez |
Parnell Green Putz (DL) Wagner (DL) |
How good it must feel to update the Mets depth chart this winter. After losing All-Star closer Billy Wagner for the year, the Mets go out and get an even better (and younger) replacement in Francisco Rodriguez, then back him up with a second all-star closer in JJ Putz. Smith and Heilman are gone, but the newly-added Sean Green should provide some backup heat for this completely overhauled bullpen. Billy Wagner is unlikely to pitch for the Mets again. |
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PHI Lidge (DL) |
Madson Condrey Romero |
Sometimes the road just falls flat in front of you: Lidge's 'perfect' season came during a stretch when he wasn't asked to make a single tough save, but what could be better than working for a team that always wins by three? Down the road, the Phillies could consider Ryan Madson or even Joe Bisenius if Lidge suffers a relapse of his scary times. |
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WAS MacDougal |
Tavarez Beimel Perez |
Joel Hanrahan won the closer's job in Washington out of spring, but his poor performance and a wide selection of similar options made him one of the first 'closers' to lose his job in 2009. While Manny Acta likes the veterans Tavarez, MacDougal and Wells, it's the younger arms like Saul Rivera, Garrett Mock, Steve Shell and Beltran Perez who look like better picks, here, and any of them could close if called upon. Then again, how many saves will anyone get in Washington, anyway? It might be most accurate to say that the closer role in Washington is 'vacant' until someone -- anyone -- proves they deserve it. |
Notes and Updates
Update: TB
The Indians traded a young relief prospect for an older one today, sending Jonathan Meloan to the Tampa Bay Rays for Winston Abreu. Neither figures to have much bullpen impact right away.
Update: CLE
Chris Perez and a PTBNL have been traded to the Cleveland Indians for utilityman Mark DeRosa. This is good news for Perez: he was stuck behind Ryan Franklin and Jason Motte in St. Louis, but the only real obstacle keeping him from closing in Cleveland will be the less-than-durable Kerry Wood.
Update: TOR
Jeremy Accardo, just recalled from AAA, notched two outs to get his first save today for Toronto, while presumed fillin-closer Jason Frasor was used for a single out in a high-leverage 8th inning, then lifted for a pinch hitter. It's tempting to make too much of this, especially as it was an odd situation with no DH in the NL park, but Accardo was lights-out as a closer in 2007, when he recorded 30 saves, so maybe this one isn't so clear after all.
Update: TOR
As suspected, Scott Downs will go on the 15-day DL with... a sprained toe. While we send our warmest wishes to the Downs family for this heart-wrenching brush with tragedy, we expect Jason Frasor to get the lion's share of save opportunities for the next couple of weeks. Whether that happens before or after BJ Ryan's next meltdown, of course, is still an open question.
Update: LAA
Scott Shields has undergone season-ending knee surgery, according to the Angels. Reliever Rafael Rodriguez will get a deeper opportunity to stick in the struggling Angels bullpen.
Update: TB
Jason Isringhausen has been shut down for the year and will require Tommy John surgery. His elbow 'popped and snapped' while on the mound in a game against the Nationals on Sunday. He wasn't really a viable closer candidate in Tampa anyway, and since he'll be 38 next season, this might mark the end of his career.
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