Oakland A’s: Three options to be the next closer
The Oakland A’s bullpen will look a lot different in 2021, particularly at the closer spot. Let’s take a look at three possible options to close games for the A’s.
The ninth inning will be a vastly different experience for the Oakland A’s in 2021. Barring some sort of miraculous infusion of cash to the organization, Liam Hendriks will be in high leverage spots for another team.
While the A’s need to fill various holes in the roster, solidifying the ninth inning should be a priority. Their starting rotation has a great deal of upside, and the core of the roster remains in place. The A’s should still be in contention for a playoff berth in 2021.
However, even the strongest roster can be undone by a weak bullpen. We have seen that time and again around the game, with teams such as the Phillies and Nationals working tirelessly to find even a somewhat competent relief mix. After the A’s buzzsaw of a bullpen in 2020, this is the last thing anyone wants to happen.
Let’s look at some options for the Oakland A’s to take over in the ninth inning.
The internal options
As it currently stands, the Oakland A’s have penciled Jake Diekman in as their new closer. Considering his dominance in 2020, it makes sense that Oakland would consider handing the ninth inning to him.
The problem is that Diekman is the only left handed option in the A’s bullpen. This could change during free agency, or if Oakldn determines that A.J. Puk would be better served in a relief role for the upcoming year. But the lack of southpaws in the bullpen makes Diekman’s role as closer more tenuous than it may seem.
There are other possible options to handle the ninth. Puk himself could be an option, as could Burch Smith or Lou Trivino. The A’s do have options internally, although none of them have handled the ninth inning as the primary closer before.
The Oakland A’s bullpen still has some solid options to take over the ninth inning. One of them may emerge as the closer for 2021.
Sergio Romo
As the Oakland A’s are not likely to splurge in free agency, any options they consider to take over the ninth inning would need to be inexpensive. Sergio Romo would fit within their budget.
Romo would not necessarily have to be signed as the A’s closer. He has filled a variety of roles in his career, even taking the first five ‘starts’ as the Rays opener in 2018. However, he has notched 135 saves in his major league career and has four seasons with 20 or more saves. That experience as closer included the 2012 and 2014 World Series winning Giants teams, as he has proven he can handle the pressure of the postseason.
His 2020 numbers do not exactly draw a great deal of notice. Romo posted a 4.05 ERA and a 1.150 WHiP over his 20 innings, striking out 23 batters with seven walks. However, six of his nine earned runs came over three outings, where he allowed five hits and three walks while recording just two outs.
At 38 years old when the 2021 season begins, Romo is not a long term option. He could be a solid stopgap for a year, allowing the A’s to potentially identify a younger arm that could take over the ninth inning on a more permanent basis in the future. Should that transition happen during the season, Romo would still be a solid upgrade as a setup man, providing worry free outings in the seventh or eighth inning.
Sergio Romo would be a good fit for the Oakland A’s bullpen, either as a closer or a setup man. And he should fit well within their budget.
Roberto Osuna
There are plenty of pitfalls that come with Roberto Osuna, none of which the Oakland A’s may want to have anything to do with.
He made just four appearances last season before being shut down due to elbow concerns. There had been the expectation that he would undergo Tommy John surgery, but he instead opted for alternative treatment. Osuna was throwing again by the end of the year, and could be ready for the start of 2021. There is also the matter of his past. He had been suspended for 75 games for violating the league’s domestic violence policy, making him a tough sell to any fanbase.
From a pure results standpoint, there are few closers on the market that can match Osuna on the mound. Over the course of his career, he has notched 155 saves over his career, posting a 2.74 ERA and a 0.905 WHiP, striking out 348 batters with 55 walks over 315 innings.
Osuna would also be more than just a one year option. He is under team control through 2022, and could be exactly what the A’s need in the ninth inning. His injury concerns and past would likely drive his market down to the point where he would fit within the budget.
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There is more to Roberto Osuna than just the results on the diamond however. He may be the best option available that fits within the Oakland A’s budget, but there is still plenty of baggage.