As the upcoming season looms over us, Spring Training bullpen battles are coming to an end this week, and the picture becomes clear as to who has won these key jobs. That picture extends to the inevitable battles at closer, where things can be murky for many teams during the season.
There are some teams where it is clear who is the main guy; teams like the New York Yankees with Devin Williams, the Houston Astros with Josh Hader, and the Atlanta Braves with Raisel Iglesias have this locked and loaded to begin the season. But who closes for the Boston Red Sox? The Chicago White Sox? The Colorado Rockies? Let’s take a deeper dive into that here.
This article will appear each weekend to help you make sense of the ever-changing world of bullpens.
American League Late Spring Bullpen Updates
Baltimore Orioles: Felix Bautista is the clear closer in Baltimore when he is healthy. Manager Brandon Hyde suggested this week that Bautista was not a lock to make the roster as he may need more time to recover from the TJS; he’s pitched in five games to the tune of a 7.71 ERA. Should he need more ramp-up time, look for Seranthony Dominguez to keep the seat warm for him. Stay tuned.
Boston Red Sox: The team was waiting for Liam Hendriks to show that he is fully healthy, but he’s not looked good in Spring Training. It appears that the BoSox will go with veteran lefty Aroldis Chapman as the closer. Boston has options besides Hendriks and Chapman should they choose a different way; Justin Slaten and a healthy Garrett Whitlock could also get opportunities. Perhaps Hendriks will shake off the rust and become closer again later this season. This is one to watch.
Chicago White Sox: Veteran starter Mike Clevinger appears to be the closer for the White Sox. New manager Will Venable stated that Cleivunger was “near the top” of their options. This represents a new lease on his MLB life for Clevinger, who previously was a successful starter. In five games this spring, the veteran has yet to surrender a run, posting seven strikeouts in five innings of work. It’s too early to read into the success or failure of this experiment at closer, but the White Sox don’t look to have much in the way of competition for the role. Last year’s part-time closer Justin Anderson has been shelled in several outings. Clevinger could be an interesting dart throw late in drafts.
Detroit Tigers: This could be a committee situation. Jason Foley, Beau Brieske, and Tyler Holton could all be part of this committee. I will go out on a limb and suggest that Foley will be the main guy. That isn’t because he is so much better than Brieske and Holton. I see those guys filling other roles: Brieske has had success in a multiple-inning role, while Holton has started games, and has also been a LOOGY guy for the Tigers at times. Because manager AJ Hinch is creative with his bullpen, this is a tough one to read. But my hunch is that Foley gets the most chances, at least initially.
Kansas City Royals: Carlos Estevez should be the closer to start the season, but Lucas Erceg looms. Estevez has only made three appearances this spring after having some back issues flare up earlier in March. One thing to note: many relief pitchers will say they only need three or four outings to be able to find their stuff and be ready for the season. The big right looks to be healthy. Estevez was a bit of a surprise signing with the Royals, who already had Erceg. This should leave Erceg available for high-leverage work, and if Estevez should falter or need a day off, Erceg would be the top choice for saves. Look for both to get opportunities and we will see how this sorts out.
Los Angeles Angels: The Halos signed veteran Kenley Jansen to be their closer, and if they fall out of contention, expect him to be traded. The job could then go to Ben Joyce. Joyce is a good handcuff to Jansen should this happen or if Jansen succumbs to injury. Beat writer Jeff Fletcher stated on the Fantasy Baseball Beat this week that the team views Joyce as the long-term solution for the position.
Texas Rangers:Â The team will open the season with veteran righty Chris Martin closing games for them. He has been sharp in five Spring Training outings this year. There have been some raised eyebrows on a 38-year-old getting the role for the first time, but Martin does have 14 career saves in his lengthy career, and he should be fine if healthy. The Rangers also have Robert Garcia who could step into the role at some point this season if need be.
AL Bullpen Depth Charts
AL East
AL Central
AL West
National League Late Spring Updates
Arizona Diamondbacks: This one gets more interesting by the day. Manager Torey Lovullo refused to name a closer and listed four guys who will be in the mix: Justin Martinez, A.J. Puk, Kevin Ginkel, and Joe Mantiply. Most pundits saw this as a two-horse race between Martinez and Puk. Lovullo has shown a propensity over the years to mix and match at the back end of his bullpen, and he has the depth to be able to do that. If you want a hunch: Martinez and Puk are the best arms here, and I lean more towards Puk as he is the better pitcher. However, we all know that the best pitcher does not always mean that is the guy who gets the saves. Both should get opportunities, and we will see if any of these four guys pull ahead of the others in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Chicago Cubs: All winter this looked like the job would fall to Porter Hodge, who ended the 2024 season as closer for the Cubs. However, the team acquired Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, presumably to be the closer. Interestingly, at his introductory press conference, Pressly said he was told he would close “some” games for the Cubs. What does that mean? Well, follow the money, folks. He didn’t waive his no-trade clause to come and be a setup man, and he’s getting paid $14 million a year. He gets the first crack. Hodge will be in a high-leverage situation and could step in if Pressly falters.
Cincinnati Reds:Â With new manager Terry Francona in charge, you wonder how long he will tolerate the tightrope act of Alexis Diaz, who has the stuff to close but often lacks command. His fall from grace included pitching in a minor league game last week. In four spring outings, Diaz has a bloated 13.50 ERA and has walked five guys in three innings. Should Francona look elsewhere, he has Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, and maybe even Scott Barlow. All have at least some experience closing games. Look for Francona to mix and match as needed should Diaz’s troubles persist.
Colorado Rockies: This battle has been watched closely all spring. Tyler Kinley should get the nod to begin the season, but should he falter, as he has in the past, look for Viktor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen to get chances. Kinley has been perfect in seven innings this spring. This will be a bullpen we can keep an eye on this spring.
Miami Marlins: Calvin Faucher should be the first option to close in Miami, but who knows how many save opportunities there will be here? Faucher is working out the kinks but has a 6.23 ERA this spring. His top competition, Jesus Tinoco, has been worse. Look for Faucher to get the bulk of the chances early on, but this will be one to keep an eye on early in 2025.
Pittsburgh Pirates:Â David Bednar is the preferred option here, but he has struggled in spring games. Manager Derek Shelton has not named a closer to begin the season, likely due to BEdnar posting an ERA over 10 in eight appearances this spring. Colin Holderman would be the handcuff here, in my opinion.
Washington Nationals: The team let Kyle Finnegan walk in late fall only to bring him back later this winter. Finnegan is the clear-cut best option for saves in Washington.
NL Bullpen Depth Charts
NL East
NL Central
NL West
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