March 5, 2021
Atlanta Braves – While Will Smith is the best bet to open the season as the Atlanta closer, he isn’t a lock thanks to a subpar 2020 which saw his ERA jump to 4.50. It’s likely that he was a bit unlucky — amazingly, 7 of the 11 hits that the lefty gave up last season were homers — but regardless, Chris Martin or AJ Minter could potentially find themselves getting opportunities if he struggles out of the gate. Shane Greene, a reliable arm for the Braves for the past season and a half, remains unsigned and could find his way back into the late innings here as well.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Smith, Martin, Minter.
Holds candidates: Martin, Minter, Tyler Matzek, Grant Dayton.
Miami Marlins – When it comes to the closer role, Don Mattingly has erred on the side of experience in his past, and so it’s no surprise that he’s mentioned Anthony Bass on several occasions when discussing the 9th inning this spring, and for his part, Bass seems ready for the role. If the righty has a disastrous spring, then offseason acquisitions Dylan Floro, Adam Cimber, or John Curtiss could step in, the latter of whom we’d keep a close eye on, given the prominent role(s) he played for the Rays last year.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Bass | Curtiss | Floro.
Holds candidates: Curtiss, Floro, Cimber, Ross Detwiler.
New York Mets – Edwin Diaz returned to form as one of the top relievers in the game last season, posting a 1.75 ERA and an astonishing 50 Ks over 25.2 innings pitched. His success was largely due to keeping the ball in the ballpark, as he allowed only 2 home runs all season, compared with 15 in 58.0 innings the year before. Seth Lugo will open the season on the injured list, so Dellin Betances and Trevor May will likely see their share of holds chances in the early going.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Diaz | Betances | May.
Holds candidates: Betances, May, Aaron Loup, Jeurys Familia.
Philadelphia Phillies – After running out a historically terrible bullpen in 2020, the Phillies brought in a bunch of new arms over the offseason, headlined by Archie Bradley, who signed a 1-year, $6 million deal and seems likely open the season as the closer. Hector Neris will serve as his handcuff while veterans Tony Watson and Brandon Kintzler seem likely to act as the bridge through the later innings.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Bradley | Neris | Watson.
Holds candidates: Neris, Watson, Kintzler, Jojo Romero.
Washington Nationals – After all 29 teams passed on his $10 million contract in October, Brad Hand signed with the Nationals… for $10.5 million. He will start the season as closer, with Daniel Hudson setting up. Tanner Rainey still has real promise and should factor in to the late innings, while a hodgepodge of veterans round out the Washington bullpen.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Hand | Hudson | Rainey.
Holds candidates: Hudson, Rainey, Will Harris, Jeremy Jeffress.