March 2, 2016
Arizona Diamondbacks – There are few question marks for the Diamondbacks bullpen heading into 2016. Brad Ziegler earned the ninth inning midway through last season and never looked back. He’ll have two strong options handing him the lead, as Daniel Hudson and newly-signed Tyler Clippard will handle the seventh and eighth innings. Clippard, who is happy to accept any role in the bullpen, is making $4.1 million this year and probably has the edge for the eighth over Hudson.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Ziegler | Clippard | Hudson.
Holds candidates: Clippard, Hudson, Andrew Chafin.
Colorado Rockies – Jake McGee came to Colorado in an offseason trade, and should slot in as the team’s closer after Adam Ottavino hit the 60-day DL. The team also signed veterans Jason Motte and Chad Qualls to bolster the bullpen. In addition, the Rockies have two young arms in Jairo Diaz an Justin Miller who throw hard and impressed last season.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: McGee | Motte | Qualls.
Holds candidates: Motte, Qualls, Miller.
Los Angeles Dodgers – After nearly trading for Aroldis Chapman, the Dodgers will head into 2016 with Kenley Jansen as the closer once again. Jansen has been one of the best closers in baseball over the last three seasons, and while his bridge is full of potential candidates, two appear to be leading the pack. Chris Hatcher got the majority of the eighth-inning work at the end of the season and will likely retain that role to begin 2016. If Pedro Baez can locate his 100-mph fastball, he’ll be a good seventh-inning option. Yimi Garcia is also in the mix for the seventh, with lefties Luis Avilan and JP Howell candidates for holds.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Jansen | Hatcher | Baez.
Holds candidates: Hatcher, Baez, Garcia, Howell.
San Diego Padres – Old friend Fernando Rodney will likely emerge from spring training as the team’s closer, but how long he remains in the ninth inning is a complete mystery. The other mystery is who emerges from a wide-open bullpen. Former Toronto Closer Casey Janssen was invited to camp, but has to make the team first. Kevin Quackenbush is nursing a sore hamstring after a not-so-good 2015. Jon Edwards saved 23 games in triple-A last season, but he has control issues. Nick Vincent was a solid September call-up, while former Drew Pomeranz may be an option if he’s not slotted into the starting rotation.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Rodney | Quackenbush | Edwards.
Holds candidates: Quackenbush, Edwards, Pomeranz.
San Francisco Giants – The Giants bullpen saw a lot of work last season, which may help explain a 19-28 record in one-run games last season. Back to close will be Santiago Casilla, with Sergio Romo in the eighth inning again. Hunter Strickland will be the most likely seventh-inning arm, but keep an eye out for hard-throwing Josh Osich.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.
Holds candidates: Romo, Strickland, Osich.