2018 AL East Preview

February 26, 2018

Baltimore Orioles — This situation got a bit more interesting over the offseason when Zach Britton underwent surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon in December. Britton recently threw for the first time since the surgery, while wearing a boot, and will start the season on the 60-day disabled list, with a return slated for late May or early June. For now, Brad Brach (3.18 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 18 saves) will handle the closing duties, with Darren O’Day, Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro in the mix for holds.

Starting 2018 hierarchy:  Brach | O’Day | Givens.
Holds candidates: O’Day, Givens, Castro.

Boston Red Sox — Following a rocky first season in Boston, Craig Kimbrel turned in perhaps the best year of his career in 2017, finishing with 35 saves, a 1.43 ERA, a 0.68 WHIP, 126 strikeouts and career-best marks in K/BB (9.00) and WAR (3.5). He’s absolutely locked in as the Red Sox closer and remains one of the best in the game entering a contract year. Behind him, it’s a little more unsettled. Joe Kelly looks to be the setup man, with a few health-related question marks following him in Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg. Expect Matt Barnes and Heath Hembree to be in the mix for holds, too.

Starting 2018 hierarchy:  Kimbrel | Kelly | Smith.
Holds candidates: Kelly, Smith, Barnes.

New York Yankees — The Yankees feature perhaps the best bullpen in the big leagues, but it’s not perfect. After opening last season with a suspension, Aroldis Chapman turned in his worst campaign, even briefly losing his job as closer. He finished with a respectable 3.22 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, but he’s capable of so much more. Dellin Betances, too, was inconsistent after two dominant months to start the season. If Chapman gets injured or falters, Betances is the likely No. 2. Behind him is former White Sox closer David Robertson, in his second tour with the Yankees after a midseason trade last year. Tommy Kahnle may compete for holds, too.

Starting 2018 hierarchy: Chapman | Betances | Robertson.
Holds candidates: Betances, Robertson, Kahnle.

Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays’ bullpen may soon look different if the team continues to gut the roster. For now, Alex Colome will return as closer after a 47-save campaign in 2017. There has been trade interest in Colome, though, and he probably projects as a setup man if he’s dealt. If Colome stays, Dan Jennings and newly acquired Daniel Hudson will share setup duties, with Sergio Romo, Ryne Stanek, and Andrew Kittredge all holds candidates.

Starting 2018 hierarchy: Colome | Hudson | Jennings.
Holds candidates: Jennings, Romo, Stanek.

Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna is still only 23 years old, but he’s emerged as one of the top five or ten closers in the game. He had a down year in 2017, though. His velocity dropped for his top three pitches, sending his ERA north of 3.00 (3.38) for the first time. To correct things, Osuna added more upper-body muscle and has been working on staying more upright in his delivery. Ryan Tepera, 30, will back Osuna up after he went 7-1 with a 3.59 ERA in 73 games last year. Other holds candidates include Aaron Loup and Danny Barnes, as well as Seung Hwan Oh, whom the Jays acquired just this morning.

Starting 2018 hierarchy: Osuna | Tepera | Loup.
Holds candidates: Tepera, Loup, Barnes.