February 18, 2019
Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles traded away most of their key bullpen arms last year and signed nobody during free agency. This means that Mychal Givens will be back as the presumptive closer, should he have a lead to protect. Richard Bleier is back after his lat surgery. Paul Fry and Mike Wright Jr. are also back. Get excited! Givens is the only sure thing in Baltimore’s bullpen entering the spring, but we’ll keep an eye out to see if anyone else stands out in camp.
Starting 2019 hierarchy: Givens | Bleier | Fry.
Holds candidates: Bleier, Fry, Wright Jr.
Boston Red Sox — The defending champions still haven’t named a closer, and according to Alex Cora they won’t do so until Opening Day. It’s becoming more and more unlikely that the Sox re-sign Craig Kimbrel, which means the competition this spring is projected to be wide open. Among the names vying for the job are Heath Hembree, Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, and dark horse candidate Tyler Thornburg. This will be a fluid situation throughout spring training, but for now, we think that Barnes, Brasier, and Hembree are the front-runners for the job.
Starting 2019 hierarchy: Barnes | Brasier | Hembree.
Holds candidates: Brasier, Hembree, Steven Wright.
New York Yankees — The Yankees added to their already-loaded bullpen this offseason by acquiring Adam Ottavino, who essentially replaces the departed David Robertson. This gives them a multitude of options in the late innings, as Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, and ZacK Britton all return from last year’s squad. Chapman should start the season as the closer, but don’t be surprised if someone else takes over should Chapman struggle out of the gate, especially considering this could be the best bullpen ever.
Starting 2019 hierarchy: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.
Holds candidates: Britton, Ottavino, Betances, Chad Green.
Tampa Bay Rays — When we eventually start OpenerMonkey.com, you’ll know who to thank. The Rays, who surprisingly won 90 games last year, established the trend of using openers, though not everybody was a fan. That probably included most fantasy owners, who had to be less than pleased any time Sergio Romo trotted out to the mound in the first inning and not the ninth. With Romo off to Miami, the Rays will likely turn to Jose Alvarado if there’s a save chance on opening day. Chaz Roe and Diego Castillo are also good options in high-leverage spots, though Castillo may open as well from time to time.
Starting 2019 hierarchy: Alvarado | Roe | Castillo.
Holds candidates: Roe, Castillo, Adam Kolarek.
Toronto Blue Jays — Ken Giles, who somehow had zero blown saves last year, will be the Jays’ closer in 2019. Ryan Tepera seems to be the only other Blue Jay to have his bullpen role locked down, as David Phelps is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Jays also signed old friend John Axford to a minor-league deal, which means he could eventually work his way into the late-inning plans, at least until Phelps gets healthy.
Starting 2019 hierarchy: Giles | Tepera | Mayza.
Holds candidates: Tepera, Mayza, Phelps, Axford.
