The closer role has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for the Arizona Diamondbacks under the Mike Hazen regime. Every year the D-backs have turned to a different pitcher for the 9th inning, with Fernando Rodney being the only successful closer back in 2017. For the next five seasons, the position has been anything but stable with none of the team’s first choice at the closer role holding the job all the way through the season.
Last winter the D-backs signed Mark Melancon to a 2-year, $14MM deal hoping to give the team some stability for the next two years.