Welcome to our weekly Hot Seat column! Each week — usually on Mondays — we’ll update this space to give you an easy-to-reference guide on who might be closest to losing their jobs. Note that this isn’t necessarily a ranking of the best closers; rather, it’s a guide to job security.
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Latest update: May 16, 2016
Cincinnati continues to be a dumpster fire for relief pitching, but Tony Cingrani has edged his way into the lead — a couple more saves and he might kick the committee label which would elevate him from “committee leader” to “terrible closer.” Elsewhere, the closers to watch are Kevin Jepsen, Shawn Tolleson, and Steve Cishek, all of whom have had rough stretches. Jepsen is probably the most vulnerable, as he’s got Trevor May breathing down his neck and Glen Perkins is on the mend. Tolleson, meanwhile, has lost the feel for his change-up, which has made him less effective, and Cishek has quickly fallen back to earth after a surprising start to the year.
Hottest: In a committee or on the verge of losing their job right now.
30. Tony Cingrani (Handcuff: Ross Ohlendorf)
Hot: Guys who could be in danger after their next blown save.
29. Kevin Jepsen (Handcuff: Trevor May; DL return: Glen Perkins)
28. Shawn Tolleson (Handcuff: Sam Dyson)
27. Steve Cishek (Handcuff: Joel Peralta, Joaquin Benoit [DL])
Warmish: Two blown saves in a row and these players might be in trouble.
26. Santiago Casilla
25. Jeanmar Gomez
24. Luke Gregerson
23. Alex Colome
Cool: These players would have to blow 3 consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy.
22. Cody Allen
21. Fernando Rodney
20. Jeremy Jeffress
19. Francisco Rodriguez
18. Ryan Madson
17. Arodys Vizcaino
16. A.J. Ramos
15. Roberto Osuna
14. Joe Smith
13. Jake McGee
12. Hector Rondon
11. Jonathan Papelbon
10. Mark Melancon
9. Brad Ziegler
8. Jeurys Familia
7. Craig Kimbrel
6. Aroldis Chapman
5. Trevor Rosenthal
4. Wade Davis
3. David Robertson
Sub-zero: These players would have to blow 4+ consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy.
2. Zach Britton
1. Kenley Jansen