Here’s our latest Hot Seat update, a ranking of current closer job security.
Hottest – In a committee, or on the verge of losing their job right now
30. Sean Doolittle (cuff: Drew Pomeranz)
29. Bruce Rondon (cuff: Alex Wilson)
28. Junichi Tazawa (cuff: Jean Machi)
-Sean Doolittle returned from the DL today, and while he is the A’s best reliever when healthy, it could take some time for him to solidify himself as the closer. Drew Pomeranz could still see some save chances during that time. Bruce Rondon blew his last save opportunity and has given up runs in his past two appearances. Junichi Tazawa has picked up two saves in the past week and is close to shedding the committee label.
Hot – Closers who could be in danger after their next blown save
27. John Axford (cuff: Tommy Kahnle)
26. Santiago Casilla (cuff: Sergio Romo)
25. Carson Smith (cuff: Tom Wilhelmsen)
24. Greg Holland (cuff: Wade Davis)
23. Glen Perkins (cuff: Kevin Jepsen)
-John Axford has been named the closer again in Colorado but does anybody really trust him to keep the job even the rest of this season? Greg Holland recorded a couple saves this week but it was Wade Davis who got the most recent save. Holland is still the guy right now but Davis is breathing down his neck with any blown saves. Glen Perkins is currently battling an injury and with the Twins fading in the playoff race, they might
Warmish – Two blown saves in a row and these players might be in trouble
22. Aroldis Chapman
21. Luke Gregerson
20. Brad Boxberger
-Aroldis Chapman goes from the safest closer to somebody to keep an eye as he is battling a sore shoulder. A sore shoulder is concerning for a guy who has thrown all 50 of the fastest pitches in the major leagues this year. Brad Boxberger’s job is a little safer after the injury to his primary competition, Jake McGee.
Cool – These players would have to blow 3 consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy
19. Arodys Vizcaino
18. Brad Ziegler
17. AJ Ramos
16. Hector Rondon
15. David Robertson
14. Francisco Rodriguez
13. Jeurys Familia
12. Huston Street
11. Roberto Osuna
10. Kenley Jansen
9. Cody Allen
8. Ken Giles
7. Mark Melancon
-Arodys Vizcaino jumps up a tier as he has lowered his ERA to 0.54 while the reliever right behind him for saves, David Aardsma, has seen his ERA rise to 4.55. K-Rod moves up a few slots this week as he is 30/30 on the season and recently became the active leader in saves.
Sub-zero – These players would have to blow 4+ consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy
6. Shawn Tolleson
5. Jonathan Papelbon
4. Trevor Rosenthal
3. Zach Britton
2. Andrew Miller
1. Craig Kimbrel
-Shawn Tolleson stays in this tier but with the return of Keone Kela, Papelbon and Rosenthal move ahead of him.
