Closer by committee won’t be a recipe for success
PHILADELPHIA » To run with the N.L. big dogs, you need a closer, not the committee approach the Phillies have downshifted into after Corey Knebel pitched himself out of the job.
The Phillies didn’t unveil the new blueprint Wednesday because Kyle Gibson pitched into the ninth and catcher Garrett Stubbs, replacing the embattled J.T. Realmuto belted a three-run walk-off shot in a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins.
But the closer issue is real for the Phillies. Almost everybody’s favorite to take over that immense responsibility is Seranthony Dominguez, having a solid season after Tommy John surgery. There is a reason he hasn’t been handed the job. At this point the Phils can only use him two days in a row.
Connor Brogdon? Andrew Belatti? No and no thank you. Triple-A’s Francisco Morales and Mark Appel have the same appeal and not much less upside.
Jeurys Familia, who assisted in the giveaway to the Marlins? Double-doink to the head. Jose Alvarado? Only if the choice is him, or Familia.
At this point, just give the ball to 32-year-old Brad Hand, who has plenty of closer experience. Entering Wednesday, Hand is 1-1 with a 1.96 ERA, one save, and 20 strikeouts in 18.1 innings over 26 games. He has 490 appearances in the Bigs.
Then you trade for a closer like Raisel Iglesias (1-4, 4.64 ERA, 12 saves, 29 Ks, 21.1 IP) of the going nowhere fast Los Angeles Angles or Gregory Soto (2-3, 1.96, 13 saves, 21 Ks, 23.0 IP) of the Detroit Tigers, who also are mailing it in. Both guys at least are on the Phillies’ radar according to a source who thinks they can be had for a couple of prospects. Possibly not even upper tier prospects, either, meaning you might be able to convince somebody that Mickey Moniak’s best days really are ahead of him. But that could be awhile because traditionally, much of the action is delayed until the (Aug. 2) trade deadline.
The Phillies, you may recall, made a big push for closer Craig Kimbrel only to lose him to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who, it certainly appears, had prospects a bit more in demand.
Back to the committee approach. Only one of the N.L. teams leading the division or occupying one of the three wild card spots have use for a closer by committee deal. And the San Francisco Giants with Gabe Kapler seem to be riding with the hot hand.
Here are the closer situations for the teams that entering games of Wednesday, would compose the
N.L. playoff field:
NEW YORK METS (41-22) » With 12 saves, a 2.13 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 25.1 innings, Edwin Diaz arguably is the class of this class. That’s why the Mets have the second-most wins in baseball. ATLANTA BRAVES (36-12): » Kenley Jansen (3-0, 3.25 ERA) is having a huge season with 18 saves. With 38 strikeouts in 27.2 innings, he’s the opposition’s worst nightmare.
LOS ANGELE DODGERS (33-28) » Kimbrel (0-2, 4.19) has a dozen saves and 29 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. When he finds his groove, he’s lights out.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (39-24) » For all Taylor Rogers (0-3, 2.77) does, he’s underrated. He has 19 saves in 27 games with 29 Ks over 26 innings. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (35-26) » Jake McGee (1-1, 5.71, three
saves) started as the closer. Camilo
Doval (2-2, 2.63) evolved into the role. He has nine saves and has stuck out 33 in 27.1 innings. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (34-29) » If Josh Hader (0-1, 0.92) didn’t play on this fading-fast team, he’d be the ace of the N.L. closer staff. Just the same he has 19 saves and in 19.2 innings, 33 strikeouts. PHILLIES (31-31) » Believe it or not, Knebel (2-5, 3.24) has 11 saves and 23 strikeouts in 25 innings.