March 13, 2023

Houston Astros — Houston returns all their top arms from a phenomenal 2022 bullpen, including top closer Ryan Pressly, last seen shutting the door on the Phillies to seal the World Series. Rafael Montero, Bryan Abreu, and Hector Neris are ready to set the table for Pressly in the late innings.

Starting 2023 hierarchy: Pressly | Montero | Abreu.
Holds candidates: Montero, Abreu, Neris, Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek.

Los Angeles Angels — Former Rockie Carlos Estevez is the favorite to close for LA, with the Angels confident that his slider will play much better away from the thin Coors Field air. If Phil Nevin isn’t ready to fully commit to Estevez, look for Jimmy Herget and Ryan Tepera to resume their committee roles from last year, along with free agent acquisition Matt Moore.

Starting 2023 hierarchy: Estevez | Herget | Tepera.
* = closer-by-committee
Holds candidates: Herget, Tepera, Moore, Aaron Loup, Jose Quijada.

Oakland A’s — The A’s signed Trevor May to a one-year deal this spring, so we expect him to win the job outright, earn 15 saves with decent stats on an awful team, and get traded at the deadline. Taking over for him at that point will probably be a combination of Zach Jackson, Dany Jimenez, and Domingo Acevedo. Now, if all goes well, we won’t have to update Oakland’s page again until July. 

Starting 2023 hierarchy:  May | Jackson | Jimenez.
Holds candidates: Jackson, Jimenez, Acevedo.

Seattle Mariners — Paul Sewald and Andres Muñoz were excellent last season and should continue as options 1 and 1-A in the Seattle bullpen. Erik Swanson’s departure leaves the door open for Diego Castillo in the seventh.

Starting 2023 hierarchy: Sewald | Muñoz | Castillo.
Holds candidates: Munoz, Castillo, Matt Brash.

Texas Rangers — Jose Leclerc has the edge of incumbency in the Texas bullpen, but an early battle with neck tightness could provide an opportunity for Jonathan Hernandez, Brock Burke, Joe Barlow, or even the recently signed Will Smith. 

Starting 2023 hierarchy: Leclerc | Hernandez | Burke.
Holds candidates: Hernandez, Burke, Barlow, Smith.