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A 2017 Oakland A’s bullpen preview: Closer by Committee?

By Jennifer Rainwater

Jul 27, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (21) and relief pitcher Ryan Madson (44) celebrate the victory against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (21) and relief pitcher Ryan Madson (44) celebrate the victory against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (8) celebrates with first baseman Travis Ishikawa (45), relief pitcher Santiago Casilla (46), and catcher Andrew Susac (34) after defeating the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (8) celebrates with first baseman Travis Ishikawa (45), relief pitcher Santiago Casilla (46), and catcher Andrew Susac (34) after defeating the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Santiago Casilla began his career in Oakland.

In fact, he’s spent his entire career in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Casilla actually began his career with the Oakland Athletics way back in 2000 when they signed him as an amateur free agent under the name Jairo Garcia.

He made his debut with the A’s in 2004 and things were rough for him in his first three stints in the big leagues. Between 2004 and he pitched just 11.0 innings to the tune of a 9.82 ERA.

In 2007, Casilla began to improve and find his stride endotwing the season with a much more reasonable 4.44 ERA over 50.2 innings. Over his final two seasons, of what was now his first stint with the A’s, Casilla was mediocre posting a 4.93 ERA.

He was granted free-agency after the 2009 season and signed with the San Francisco Giants in early 2010.

There Casilla really came into his own. In seven seasons with the Giants Casilla went 32-22 with a 2.42 ERA.

More importantly, he also learned how to close out games. He saved 123 games for San Francisco.

Casilla started closing for the Giants in 2012 and saved 24 games out of 31 save opportunities. The following season he only saved two games but he was being used in a different role.

Casilla gained more closing experience during his time with the team on the west side of the bay. From 2014-2016, he saved 88 games.

Towards the end of his time there, however, he did start to falter, blowing nine saves in 2016 and was removed from the closer role.

Still, he has experience in what is a challenging and potentially game changing role which is why he will be one of the A’s many closers when he rejoins the team from the east side of the bay in 2017.