3 closers who could lose their jobs this season
A manager's patience can wear thin quickly when a late-inning reliever fails to do his job, and while a pitcher's performance will fluctuate more than any other position, it can nevertheless lead to abrupt decision-making.
One week into the season, the Philadelphia Phillies were the first team to change its ninth-inning option, replacing the struggling Jeanmar Gomez with 39-year-old veteran Joaquin Benoit.
The Phillies certainly won't be the last to shuffle their bullpen. Here are three closers who could lose their respective jobs at some point this season.
Sam Dyson, Rangers
As fate would have it, Sam Dyson earned - and ran with - the Texas Rangers' closer's job last season after Shawn Tolleson's implosion on the mound. A year later, Tolleson is no longer with the team and Dyson has been dreadful thus far.
Coming off a 38-save campaign in 2016, Dyson entered the new year as the Rangers go-to late-inning option, but a 36.00 ERA and a blown save in his first three appearances is alarming. The good news for Dyson is that he possesses one of the game's best sinkers which leads to ground-ball outs.
The bad news is that he pitched to an inflated FIP last season (3.62 compared to his 2.43 ERA) and struggles in the strikeout department (55 in 70 innings). It's still early but with an intriguing option lurking in Matt Bush - whose fastball velocity (97 mph) and strikeout ability (10.5 K/9 since 2016) trumps Dyson - a change could come quickly.
Blake Treinen, Nationals
After failing to address the glaring hole in the offseason, the Washington Nationals named a closer from within the organization and settled on Blake Treinen, who had a terrific spring (11/2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 6 games).
He's been everything but so far this year, combining to an 8.10 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with a blown save. It's not the start Treinen aspired to, and if he continues to allow runs in bunches, his opportunity to close out games will vanish quickly.
Much like Dyson in Texas, what Treinen has going for him is a fantastic sinker that generates a ton of ground balls (both relievers were second and third in the league behind Zach Britton last year in ground ball percentage).
Unlike Dyson, his velocity is impressive (96.5 mph fastball and 96 mph sinker) so he'll have some time to settle in. If he fails to do so, the Nationals will need to get creative in finding a replacement either in house or through trade (looking at you, David Robertson).
Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox
Once considered the game's most dominant closer, Craig Kimbrel has regressed a bit since being acquired by the Boston Red Sox in 2015, and with the club expected to compete this season, his leash may be shorter than in past years if he's inconsistent on the mound.
In 60 games since coming to the American League, he's combined to a 3.38 ERA and has walked five batters per nine innings. He's also coming off a career-worst 13.6 walk percentage which indicates increasing command issues.
While it's hard to imagine the Red Sox growing tired of him, he does have a $13-million team option next season that could become a factor if he struggles. There are no clear-cut replacements threatening Kimbrel's job, but if Tyler Thornburg returns from injury to pitch effectively, and Kimbrel continues to post middling numbers, it will become a hot debate.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)