Last season, Liam Hendriks came out of nowhere to emerge as the Oakland Athletics closer. Blake Treinen, who had held the role since his acquisition from Washington, had faltered, resulting in an opening. Hendriks, who had until then been a journeyman middle reliever, seized the opportunity, putting together an All Star season en route to taking over the role moving forward.
With Treinen having departed and signing with the Dodgers, the A’s have all of their eggs in Hendriks’ basket. He is the closer for 2020, a season that Oakland is hoping will result in their getting over the postseason hump.