March 6, 2015
Chicago White Sox – Chicago’s bullpen was a mess right from the start in 2014. To ensure that didn’t happen again, the Sox went out and signed former Yankees closer David Robertson. Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam, who split the closer’s job at the end of 2014, should slide into set-up roles in front of Robertson. The White Sox also added veteran lefty Zach Duke in the off-season, and he could see some time in the later innings.
Starting 2015 hierarchy: Robertson | Petricka | Putnam.
Holds candidates: Petricka, Putnam.
Cleveland Indians – The Indians return the core of their bullpen for 2015. Cody Allen took over for John Axford in the middle of 2014 and never looked back. Manager Terry Francona has nothing but good things to say about Allen, who will start a season as closer for the first time in his young career. Brian Shaw and Scott Atchison did a nice job in the 7th and 8th innings last year and should return to those roles to start this upcoming season. Nick Hagadone could be a guy to watch, as he is a big, hard-throwing lefty with good strikeout potential.
Starting 2015 hierarchy: Allen | Shaw | Atchison.
Holds candidates: Shaw, Marc Rzepczynski.
Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan struggled all year in 2014 and hopes to bounce back in 2015. He’ll start the year as the closer, but Joakim Soria will be right behind him if he slips up. The Tigers brought Joba Chamberlain back, and also signed lefty Tom Gorzelanny. Bruce Rondon is one of the most interesting members of the Tigers bullpen, a young flamethrower coming off Tommy John surgery.
Starting 2015 hierarchy: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
Holds candidates: Soria, Gorzellany.
Kansas City Royals – The Royals bullpen was one of the main reasons for their successful 2015 season. Closer Greg Holland combined with Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera to form arguably the best relief tandem in baseball. All three guys will return in 2015 and, if that wasn’t good enough, they’ll also get Luke Hochevar back. Hochevar missed all of 2014, but was a dominant set-up man in 2013. Tim Collins was in line to be the Royals’ lefty specialist, but he was pulled from Wednesday’s spring training game and may need Tommy John surgery. Rookie phenom Brandon Finnegan may wind up in the bullpen as a result.
Starting 2015 hierarchy: Holland | Davis | Herrera.
Holds candidates: Davis, Herrera.
Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins missed the end of the 2014 season, but he’s healthy now, and ready to close again for the Twins. Righty Casey Fien and lefty Brian Duensing will likely start the season in the back end of the bullpen. Tim Stauffer is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, but if he doesn’t win the job, he could also be an option in the later innings.
Starting 2015 hierarchy: Perkins | Fien | Duensing.
Holds candidates: Fien, Duensing.
