RADIO
New York Yankees
This is going to be one of the most closely monitored closer competitions in the spring of 2015. The Yankees are currently examining two gigantic (literally) options for the closer spot, in the forms of lefty Andrew Miller and righty Dellin Betances, both of whom throw absolute smoke. Both did plenty last year to justify consideration for the ninth inning, with similar and stunning ratios—Miller boasted a 14.9 K/9 rate and 2.02 ERA across 62.1 innings, while Betances put up a 13.5 K/9 rate with a 1.40 ERA. Neither has any real experience closing games, and both are in fact failed starting pitchers who have found success in the bullpen.
So how will the Yankees choose? Perhaps they won’t—Yankee manager Joe Girardi has floated the idea that they may share closer duties, with game circumstances dictating who gets the ball in the ninth inning. I think it’s better to have one guy who knows that he’ll be out there for a save situation instead of it being a guessing game every night, though, and so ultimately I expect Betances will come away with the job, as he endeared himself to the Yankee fanbase in 2014 with an All-Star-caliber season—basically, he’s earned the first crack at it. Miller should be relegated to the eighth-inning role, which should shorten games significantly.
Boston Red Sox
There is no closer debate in Beantown heading into 2015. However, the ninth inning may not be as safe as it appears on the surface with veteran Koji Uehara on the hill. Uehara had an incredible 2013 season, but followed it up with a very shaky 2014. He claimed that he suffered from an injury during the latter half of last season, and if you watched a Red Sox game during that time period, you'd believe him. He was consistently throwing an 85-mph fastball, and had an abysmal August from an ERA standpoint. Uehara will be 40 years old this season, and it is definitely hard to put any trust in him to make it through the summer as the closer.
The Sox aren't without options to back him up, though. Edward Mujica has experience closing games, and I think Junichi Tazawa could see success in that role, as well. Alexi Ogando is now in Boston, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he were given a crack at the ninth inning, should Uehara falter. From a fantasy standpoint, Uehara should still be a decent option at the beginning of the season, but draft him with the expectation that he won’t have the job all year.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have some choices to during Spring Training, and the bullpen is definitely going to be one of the areas under scrutiny. The closer job would most likely have been Jake McGee’s to lose, but a December elbow procedure has him destined to start the season on the DL. This provides an opportunity for Brad Boxberger, who put up a 2.37 ERA and 14.5 K/9 rate across 64.2 innings in 2014. I think he’ll be a fine option at closer until McGee's return, after which we're probably looking at a closer-by-committee situation.
Unfortunately for fantasy owners, I don’t see the Rays winning very many games in 2015, which means a dearth of save opportunities for whoever it is that's closing games. They are in full-on rebuild mode, and will probably languish in the basement of the AL East for most of the year.
Toronto Jays
The Blue Jays have a full-on battle for the closer’s role heading into Spring Training. While there are a few potential candidates, I believe it’ll be a two-horse race between Brett Cecil and Aaron Sanchez. As of right now, the job is Brett Cecil’s to begin the season, but young stud Sanchez could challenge him, *if* he goes to the bullpen in 2015. Sanchez, Toronto's 2010 first-round draft pick, is ultimately destined for the starting rotation, but the decision has not yet been made on whether or not 2015 will be the year that he is stretched out. If he's in the ‘pen, I think he'll be able to give Cecil a run for his money during Spring Training.
Going into a fantasy draft, I wouldn’t look to either pitcher for saves until the situation is cleared up. However, if you’re looking for a speculative pick in the later rounds, Cecil is likely the better bet to make an immediate impact.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles might be the safest bet for saves in the AL East in 2015. Zach Britton has a choke-hold on the closer’s job heading into the spring, and for good reason. Another converted starter, Britton had a great deal of success in 2014, his first season as a reliever. He notched 37 saves in 41 opportunities (71 appearances), with a 1.65 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. His K/9 isn’t as impressive as some of the other AL East closer candidates, but he has utterly mastered the art of inducing ground balls. Britton led all relievers in ground ball percentage in 2014, after eliminating the four-seam fastball from his repertoire and instead relying on a nasty sinker to get hitters out.
Britton should break the top ten in saves this year, and he represents the safest option in the AL East. Draft him with confidence in 2015.
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