Teams pay a premium for saves; it's how Rafael Soriano was able to get a three-year, $35MM contract last offseason. Impending free agents who have picked up at least five saves this year: Jose Valverde (club option), Heath Bell, Francisco Cordero (club option), Jonathan Papelbon, Ryan Madson, Francisco Rodriguez, Kyle Farnsworth (club option), Matt Capps, Joe Nathan (club option), Jon Rauch (club option), Frank Francisco, Jason Isringhausen, and Jonathan Broxton. Brad Lidge is another consideration, though he has a ways to go. Options for Valverde and Farnsworth could be exercised and several more will likely be content to set up, but we're left with a minimum of five relievers who will expect to close next year. They won't get to choose their role, but trade candidates such as Brandon League, Leo Nunez, or Huston Street could enter the picture as well.
As many as 16 teams may be in the market for a closer in the offseason to varying degrees:
- Orioles: I'm not sure the team's new GM will want to throw good money after bad, but Kevin Gregg is the worst reliever holding a closer job currently.
- Red Sox: They could re-sign Papelbon, though Daniel Bard certainly appears ready.
- Blue Jays: Jason Frasor and Octavio Dotel are gone, while Shawn Camp, Rauch, and Francisco are eligible for free agency. Perhaps the Jays will bring several relievers in on one-year deals again, and/or pick up Rauch's option.
- Tigers: They could save $9MM by declining Valverde's option, allowing them to use Joaquin Benoit in the ninth or sign someone cheaper.
- Twins: With Capps and Nathan up for free agency, Glen Perkins could get the job. Or, Nathan could be re-signed at a much lower rate or they could see who else is out there.
- Mariners: David Aardsma figures to miss most of 2012, so League may be needed again. Otherwise, the Mariners could flip League at his peak value and bring in someone else.
- Marlins: The Marlins reportedly intend to retain Nunez as next year's closer, but they could change their mind and put him on the market.
- Mets: Bobby Parnell has the early line on the job, but they could bring in someone more seasoned to take on an Isringhausen-type role.
- Phillies: I expect a legitimate attempt to re-sign Madson. Antonio Bastardo might be capable of stepping in if that fails, but the Phillies figure to be in the market for a veteran closer.
- Reds: Cordero's option is certain to be declined, so the question becomes whether to use Aroldis Chapman as a closer or starter.
- Astros: I wouldn't expect them to sign Papelbon, but an experienced reliever would make sense even if Mark Melancon retains the job.
- Cardinals: They can make it work with Fernando Salas, Jason Motte, and others, and may need to skimp given the big names they have up for free agency.
- Rockies: They could save money by moving Street and using Rafael Betancourt or others.
- Dodgers: There's no reason not to stick with Javy Guerra, and Kenley Jansen has closer potential as well. Matt Guerrier is around to fill the veteran reliever role, so they might not be in the closer market.
- Padres: If they don't figure something out with Bell, I'd expect a cheap veteran signing or two. It'd be a dream opportunity for most relievers.
- Giants: Depending on how Brian Wilson's elbow soreness turns out, they could be in the market.
Certainly there are enough closer jobs to go around, though I don't see too many teams likely to join a high-end bidding war for Papelbon or Madson.
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“but the Phillies figure to be in the market for a veteran closer.”
Hopefully we are not throwing $10M+ and multiple years at our next closer. We are finally getting out from under the albatross that is Brad Lidge, lets learn from our mistakes.
Foolish to pay big for a closer. Braves proved the best way is from within. Phillies will make a reasonable offer for Madson, offer arb and if someone overpays then thanks for the memories. They have choices in their system as well as Bastardo.
That doesn’t always work. (See Cardinals)
You want to talk about not working? Lets talk about Brad Lidge, Billy Wagner (NY Mets), Eric Gagne, K-rod, BJ Ryan, pretty much any highly paid closer besides the Sandman…
I would much rather take a chance in April on an internal option, and have the rest of the year to address the need if that internal option does not work out, rather than commit upwards of $20M, over multiple years, to a guy who gets hurt or is ineffective by the time July rolls around.
The Cards kind of worked from within. I’d say we only have two effective relievers from outside of the system being Rzepcynski (sp?) and Dotel. I’d say next year the bullpen looks like Motte – closer, Sanchez, Salas, Boggs for setup guys, McClellan, Lynn, and Rzepcynski as middle relief/innings guys. That would not be a bad bullpen at all. Boggs would be the weakest link, and he’s been pretty decent this year.
I don’t understand why they dobt use paplebon as a starter like I thought he was Originally planned to be.
Bcuz he’s got that closer mentality /sarcasm
I really hope Cincy decides to leave Chapman in the bullpen. I would hate to see them do to him what the Yankees did to Chamberlain.
someone with his stuff would be a dominating starter. it always bothers the hell out of me when there’s a debate like this. it’s a risk/reward situation, but anyone with a good brain and sense of value will know that as a starter a pitcher will give you AT LEAST twice the value that a closer will.
I totally agree. This nonsense of closer’s menatlity is retarded. It’s 1 freaking inning. Does it matter if it’s the 7th, 8th, or 9th inning? Do the rules change to say you can’t lose a game in the 7th or 8th? Anyone that can be a good setup guy (pitch a solid inning by not walking people and getting outs) could just as easily close games. It’s just crazy to me that GMs/Managers don’t see this. I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.