The job hunt: Plenty of teams still have decisions to make
With Major League Baseball’s Opening Day less than a week away, there are still a number of job openings throughout the major leagues. A look at some of the more notable competitions:
Rays closer: With Brad Boxberger sidelined with an abdominal injury until mid-May, manager Kevin Cash wouldn’t identify a single replacement. Instead, he will use the closer-by-committee approach with Alex Colome, Danny Farquhar, who has the most experience, and Xavier Cedeno. “A lot of it is going to be dependent upon situations within games and across a series of games,” baseball operations president Matt Silverman told the Tampa Bay Times. “There aren’t going to be set roles.”
Braves closer: Even with the return of Jason Grilli from his Achilles’ injury, manager Fredi Gonzalez may start the season using a combination of three closers: Grilli, Jim Johnson and Arodys Vizcaino. Grilli, 39, converted 24 of 26 save opportunities and had a 2.94 ERA before his injury last season.
Phillies closer: The team signed David Hernandez to a one-year, $3.9-million contract to possibly replace Ken Giles, who was traded to Houston. But non-roster invitee Andrew Bailey is having an impres--
sive spring and is the leading candidate to open the season as the closer. Bailey, 31, had recurring arm problems that made him miss the entire 2014 season. The right-hander saved 75 games for the Oakland Athletics from 2009-12.
Astros closer: Giles, acquired in a trade with the Phillies, is struggling to secure the position. His spring ERA has ballooned to 7.56, which could open up the door for Luke Gregerson’s return. Gregerson, the club’s closer last season, has missed most of the spring with a strained intercostal muscle, but struck out the side on nine pitches in his Grapefruit League debut. Said manager A.J. Hinch: “I’m trying to deflate some of the eagerness of status.”
Orioles left field: The Orioles were hoping they found a leadoff hitter and left fielder when they signed Korean Hyun-Soo Kim to a two-year, $7million deal. But Kim’s poor Grapefruit League performance — he was hitless in his first 24 plate appearances — has clouded everything, including Kim remaining with the Orioles. Rule 5 draftee Joey Rickard will almost assuredly make the team, and could receive significant playing time.
Red Sox third baseman: Pablo Sandoval’s poor 2015 and less-than-optimal physical condition this spring has opened the door, even though the Kung Fu Panda is in the second year of a five-year, $95-million deal. Will Travis Shaw — batting .367 with a .941 OPS this spring — claim some of Sandoval’s playing time? It’s possible.
Brewers centre field: Keon Broxton, the team’s best defensive option, is making a strong. But also in the mix is Ramon Flores and former Mets centre-fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis. If Nieuwenhuis makes the 25-man roster, he would be limited to starts against right-handers.
Reds left field: There are five players — Jake Cave, Yorman Rodriguez, Scott Schebler, Adam Duvall and Tyler Holt — vying for a spot in what will likely be a platoon. “I keep waiting for someone to separate themselves,” manager Bryan Price told reporters. “I haven’t told anyone whether they made the team or not.”