March 23, 2022
Houston Astros — Ryan Pressly will return as the closer for the Astros after having an All-Star season last year. The Astros signed former Phillies’ closer Hector Neris and he should serve as the primary set-up man for Pressly. Ryne Stanek was an important part of the Astros bullpen last year and he should return to a late-inning role. Enoli Paredes had a forgettable 2021 season after showing promise in 2020 but will hope that spending time with Closer Monkey favorite Fernando Rodney can help him bounce back in 2022.
Starting 2022 hierarchy: Pressly | Neris | Stanek.
Holds candidates: Neris, Stanek, Phil Maton.
Los Angeles Angels — Raisel Iglesias re-signed with the Angels and will enter 2022 as their unquestioned closer after a stellar season in 2021 that saw him strike out 103 batters against only 12 walks in 70 innings. The Angels also bolstered their bullpen by signing Aaron Loup, after he finished 2021 with an ERA under 1.00, as well as Archie Bradley and Ryan Tepera. Mike Mayers returns after serving as the primary set-up man ahead of Iglesias last year. We will slot Archie Bradley behind Iglesias based on his closing experience (30 career saves) while lefty Aaron Loup rounds out the hierarchy for now.
Starting 2022 hierarchy: Iglesias | Bradley | Loup.
Holds candidates: Bradley, Loup, Mike Mayers, Ryan Tepera.
Oakland A’s — The A’s will need to add some bullpen arms so this hierarchy will likely change before the start of the regular season. Lou Trivino is the closer as of right now and they re-signed Deolis Guerra, who became one of their better relievers last season. We will put Domingo Acevedo on the hierarchy got now but we expect the A’s to sign some veteran relievers who could take over that spot.
Starting 2022 hierarchy: Trivino | Guerra | Acevedo.
Holds candidates: Guerra, Acevedo.
Seattle Mariners — The Mariners bullpen was a strength last season and they will bring back most of the key members. Drew Steckenrider and Paul Sewald ended last season splitting save chances and we expect them to start the same way in 2022. Former Rays’ closer Diego Castillo should also factor into the late innings and keep an eye on Ken Giles as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.
Starting 2022 hierarchy: *Steckenrider | Sewald | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee
Holds candidates: Castillo, Giles.
Texas Rangers — Last year, Joe Barlow made his major league debut towards the end of June and less than two months later he was closing out games. Barlow finished the season with 11 saves and an ERA of 1.55 and will enter 2022 as the Rangers’ closer. Spencer Patton and Josh Sborz finished last year setting up Barlow and could return to that role again this year. The Rangers also signed veterans Greg Holland and Garrett Richards and both should complete for time in the late innings.
Starting 2022 hierarchy: Barlow | Patton | Sborz.
Holds candidates: Patton, Sborz, Greg Holland, Garrett Richards.
