Fansided · Mar 16, 2016
Phillies Closer Battle Takes Shape
The Philadelphia Phillies will have a new closer for the 2016 season, and that battle appears wide open.
Going back as far as 2001, the Phillies have entered spring training with a set closer on whom the club knew, or at least strongly believed, it could rely to nail down the 9th inning.
The closer role in the last 15 years has been filled by Jose Mesa (2001-03), Billy Wagner (04-05), Tom Gordon (06), Brett Myers (07), Brad Lidge (08-10), Ryan Madson (11), and Jonathan Papelbon (11-15), and then by Ken Giles following Papelbon’s trade last season.