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: April 11, 2016
Currently, there aren’t really any closers who are on the brink of losing their job. The three guys in the top category are there by virtue of being in a committee, but they’re all pretty secure in their positions as top options in their respective bullpens. People who are speculating this week might want to look at the handcuffs for K-Rod, Shawn Tolleson, and J.J. Hoover, all of whom have struggled out of the gate.
Hottest – In a committee or on the verge of losing their job right now
30. Jeanmar Gomez (Handcuff: David Hernandez)
29. Alex Colome (Handcuffs: Xavier Cedeno, Danny Farquhar)
28. Arodys Vizcaino (Handcuff: Jason Grilli)
Hot – Guys who could be in danger after their next blown save
27. Francisco Rodriguez (Handcuffs: Mark Lowe, Justin Wilson)
26. Shawn Tolleson (Handcuff: Sam Dyson)
25. J.J. Hoover (Handcuffs: Jumbo Diaz, Tony Cingrani)
Warmish – Two blown saves in a row and these players might be in trouble
24. Fernando Rodney
23. Glen Perkins
22. Sean Doolittle
21. Steve Cishek
20. Hector Rondon
19. Santiago Casilla
18. Luke Gregerson
17. Roberto Osuna
Cool – These players would have to blow 3 consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy
16. Jake McGee
15. Jeremy Jeffress
14. Brad Ziegler
13. AJ Ramos
12. Jonathan Papelbon
11. Huston Street
10. Andrew Miller
9. Mark Melancon
8. David Robertson
7. Cody Allen
6. Jeurys Familia
5. Trevor Rosenthal
Sub-zero – These players would have to blow 4+ consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy
4. Zach Britton
3. Kenley Jansen
2. Craig Kimbrel
1. Wade Davis
