Closer Report

Nov. 5: After finishing 2019 with a 1.80 ERA, 124 strikeouts and 25 saves in 85 innings, Liam Hendriks is likely to remain the A's closer heading into '20.

Nov. 5: Roberto Osuna led the American League with 38 saves and posted a 2.63 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 65 innings during 2019.

Nov. 5: Josh Hader won the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award for the second straight season in 2019, when he posted a 2.62 ERA with 138 strikeouts and 37 saves in 75 2/3 innings.

Nov. 5: Brad Hand dealt with a tired arm in the second half and posted a 5.68 ERA with four blown saves over his final 20 appearances in 2019. But if he's healthy to begin 2020, he will likely be the Indians' closer.

Nov. 5: In his first full season as closer, Kirby Yates was the only pitcher in the Majors to reach 40 saves. He finished with a 1.19 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings.

Nov. 5: Taylor Rogers established himself as one of the most reliable closers in the American League in 2019, recording 30 saves with a 2.61 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 69 innings.

Nov. 5: Aroldis Chapman won the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award in 2019. The left-hander recorded 37 saves -- his most since 2013 -- and finished with a 2.21 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 57 innings.

Nov. 5: Hansel Robles led the Angels with 23 saves while posting a 2.48 ERA in 2019. He could remain the team's closer heading into 2020.

Nov. 5: Unless he's traded this offseason, Ken Giles will likely open 2020 as the Blue Jays' closer.

Nov. 14: The Braves have spent the early stage of this offseason focusing on their bullpen, which grew stronger on Thursday with the addition of All-Star Will Smith. Instead of committing to using Smith as their closer, the Braves for now are saying Mark Melancon remains targeted for that role. But we saw how quickly these plans can change after Atlanta acquired Melancon, Shane Greene and Chris Martin before this year's Trade Deadline. On the day these three relievers joined the team, Braves manager Brian Snitker said Greene would close, Martin would be the primary setup man and Melancon would be used in the sixth and seventh innings. Less than a week later, Melancon was given the closer's role he capably handled after experiencing a couple rough outings in early August.

Nov. 5: After going unsigned until June, Craig Kimbrel struggled to find a rhythm in 2019, making multiple trips to the injured list and finishing with a 6.53 ERA in 23 games. However, he should remain Chicago's closer entering 2020.

Nov. 5: Archie Bradley could get a chance to be the D-backs' unquestioned closer entering 2020. The right-hander went 18-for-19 in save chances and had a 2.10 ERA over his final 25 appearances in 2019.

Nov. 5: Kenley Jansen struggled in the second half of 2019, posting a 4.74 ERA with five blown saves in his final 25 games, but he will likely get a chance to remain the Dodgers' closer entering '20.

Nov. 5: Seth Lugo and Justin Wilson split closing duties for the Mets down the stretch in 2019, but Edwin Diaz could get another chance to close in '20.

Nov. 5: After returning from the injured list in September, Sean Doolittle split closer duties with Daniel Hudson down the stretch and during the Nationals' run to a World Series title. But with Hudson now a free agent, Doolittle could regain the job in 2020.

Nov. 5: The Phillies' bullpen will get a makeover this offseason, but Hector Neris could remain in the closer's role after recording 28 saves with a 2.93 ERA in 2019.

Nov. 5: After returning from the injured list in late July, Keone Kela allowed just one run in his final 18 innings last season. He could open 2020 as the Pirates' closer.

Nov. 5: After Jose Leclerc's up-and-down 2019 season, it's uncertain which pitcher will be the Rangers' closer in 2020. Leclerc, Rafael Montero and Emmanuel Clase are the top candidates.

Nov. 5: Raisel Iglesias had an inconsistent 2019 season and lost some save chances to Michael Lorenzen, but he still finished with a career-high 34 saves. 

Nov. 5: Brandon Workman enjoyed a breakout 2019 season (1.88 ERA, 104 K's in 71 2/3 IP) and could head into 2020 as the Red Sox's closer.

Feb. 11: Although he posted an 8.65 ERA over 50 games in 2019, Wade Davis will get the first crack at closing for the Rockies this season, per manager Bud Black.

Nov. 5: Ian Kennedy made a successful move to the bullpen in 2019, recording 30 saves with a 3.41 ERA after posting a 5.06 ERA as a starter over '17-18.

Nov. 5: Joe Jimenez, who took over as the Tigers' closer after Shane Greene was traded to the Braves on July 31, posted a 3.06 ERA with nine saves over his final 19 games in 2019.

Nov. 5: Alex Colome recorded his third career 30-save season in 2019 and finished with a 2.80 ERA.

Feb. 7: Carlos Martínez's preference is to return to the rotation, and the Cardinals have opened a path for him to get there. He just needs to prove he's healthy, durable and still able to compete from the first inning on instead of just the eighth or ninth. If he suffers a setback, he will likely be an option to close. More >

Feb. 9: With Will Smith now in Atlanta, the Giants could turn to Tony Watson or Shaun Anderson to open the season as the team's closer.

Nov. 5: Six pitchers recorded multiple saves for the Mariners in 2019. Only two (Matt Magill, Erik Swanson) are still with the team.

Feb. 3: Brandon Kintzler has a good chance to open 2020 as the Marlins' closer after signing with the club on Monday.

Nov. 5: Mychal Givens led the Orioles with 11 saves in 2019, but he allowed 13 homers and recorded a 4.57 ERA in 63 innings. Hunter Harvey is a candidate to take over as Baltimore's closer in '20.

Feb. 9: The Rays' ninth-inning situation is up in the air after the club traded Emilio Pagan to the Padres on Saturday. Nick Anderson, Diego Castillo and Jose Alvarado could all factor into the saves mix.