Redleg Nation · Aug 17, 2016
In Defense of The Closer
With a bolstered cadre of arms, bullpen management has become a hot topic in the Nation. How should Rasiel Iglesias be used to limit his risk of injury? What about Michael Lorenzen? Is Tony Cingrani the closer? Why does Bryan Price continue to use Ross Ohlendorf in high-leverage circumstances?
Different managers take different approaches to handling their bullpens. A key variable here is the extent to which distinct roles are assigned to distinct relievers. Dearly departed Dusty Baker was well known for his rigid bullpen roles: at occasionally varying times, Arthur Rhodes the LOOGY (Lefty One Out GuY), Jonathan Broxton in the 8th, and Aroldis Chapman in the 9th.