February 29, 2016
Chicago White Sox – The back end of the White Sox bullpen settled into a nice groove at the end of last season and the good news is that all of the key members will be returning for 2016. David Robertson has established himself as a solid closer, with the potential to be elite, after he finished last season with a WHIP under 1.00 and 86 Ks in only 63.1 innings. Flamethrower Nate Jones pitched well after returning toward the end of last season, and has been impressive so far this spring. Matt Albers re-signed after a successful first year with the White Sox and should slot into the late innings too. Zach Duke could see time in the later innings as well, as a situational lefty.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Robertson | Jones | Albers.
Holds candidates: Jones, Albers, Duke.
Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen will close again for the Indians in 2016, and Bryan Shaw should return to the set-up role. Zach McAllister will get a chance to compete for a spot in the starting rotation, but is more likely to end up at the back end of the bullpen. Jeff Manship is coming off an incredible year, and we’ll slide him into 2nd in line while McAllister fights for a rotation spot.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Allen | Shaw | Manship.
Holds candidates: Shaw, Manship.
Detroit Tigers — The Detroit Tigers have revamped their bullpen for 2016. They acquired veteran closer Francisco Rodriguez — who was a little late to spring training due to visa issues — as well as Mark Lowe and Justin Wilson. Alex Wilson was the team’s best relief pitcher last year and he will return in 2016, though likely in a middle relief role. Talented Bruce Rondon is also back, after being sent home early last season, and could factor into the late-inning plans if he can get his act together.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Rodriguez | Lowe | J. Wilson.
Holds candidates: Lowe, Justin Wilson, Alex Wilson.
Kansas City Royals – The Royals won the World Series on the strength of their bullpen last year and bring back several key members, including closer Wade Davis, who has been pretty good the past two seasons. They also added former closer Joakim Soria, who should share set-up duties with Kelvin Herrera. Veteran Luke Hochevar also returns and should see time in the later innings.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Davis | Soria | Herrera.
Holds candidates: Soria, Herrera, Hochevar.
Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins had a tough second half of 2015, but he will start 2016 as the closer for the Twins again. Kevin Jepsen filled in for Perkins at the end of last season and will be right behind him in case anything happens, and Casey Fien will also return. Trevor May pitched well out of the pen last season, but he could move to the starting rotation this year.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Perkins | Jepsen | Fien.
Holds candidates: Jepsen, Fien, Fernando Abad.
