March 3, 2021
Baltimore Orioles — It appears former first-round pick Hunter Harvey will get his chance to close, assuming he can stay healthy. He worked on building arm strength and durability during the offseason, and the O’s will be mindful of keeping him fresh, too. It’s not a very deep bullpen for the rebuilding Orioles, but Cesar Valdez and Tanner Scott will likely compete for some late-inning looks. Holdovers Shawn Armstrong and Paul Fry might also factor into the holds conversation.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Harvey | Valdez | Scott.
Holds candidates: Valdez, Scott, Armstrong, Fry.
Boston Red Sox — Boston made some moves to bolster its bullpen as it seeks to stay competitive while also looking toward the future, as newcomers Adam Ottavino and Hirokazu Sawamura could challenge for save chances, at times. But Matt Barnes, who finished 2020 with a firm grip on the gig, seems poised to hang onto it to at least start the season. He has high strikeout upside but lacks the typical control of a dominant closer (12.1 K/9, 1.39 WHIP in 2020). Consider 24-year-old Darwinzon Hernandez a dark horse for late-inning looks.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Barnes | Ottavino | Sawamura.
Holds candidates: Ottavino, Sawamura, Ryan Brasier, Hernandez.
New York Yankees — Most of the Yankees’ bullpen is back for 2021, with 33-year-old Aroldis Chapman re-assuming the closer’s role. Zack Britton and Chad Green will round out a pretty formidable late-inning trio. Two new additions (Justin Wilson and Darren O’Day) could compete for holds, too.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Chapman | Britton | Green.
Holds candidates: Britton, Green, Wilson, O’Day.
Tampa Bay Rays — Last year, Tampa Bay tied a major league record with 12 different players recording a regular-season save — in a season with 102 fewer games than normal! Still, the Rays made it all the way to the World Series, so it’s not like they intend on changing their philosophy of fluidity at most roster spots, especially closer. Look for Nick Anderson to lead the team in saves, with Pete Fairbanks, Diego Castillo, Chaz Roe and probably someone who isn’t on anyone’s radar seeing chances as well.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: *Anderson | Fairbanks | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee
Holds candidates: Literally everyone!
Toronto Blue Jays — Toronto is looking to contend in 2021, and they made a splash by signing Kirby Yates to be the team’s closer. Yates is coming off a rough, brief 2020 (6 games, 2 saves, 12.46 ERA, 2.54 WHIP) and is looking to re-establish himself as a top closer. Rafael Dolis and Jordan Romano return to give the team some late-inning depth.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Yates | Dolis | Romano.
Holds candidates: Dolis, Romano, Tyler Chatwood, Ryan Borucki.
