Alex Colome could be a fit in Oakland A’s bullpen
No matter what, the Oakland A’s are going to need to spend some money in free agency this season. Despite their desire to shed payroll and not pay anyone, the A’s simply do not have enough arms in the bullpen. Their farm system does not enough major league caliber relievers to fill those voids, especially when it comes to the closer role.
This will leave the A’s to go hunting for bargains once again. Fortunately, there may be the perfect option in free agency in Alex Colome.
Oakland A’s could luck out with Alex Colome
Colome had a rough season with the Twins in 2021. He posted a 4.15 ERA and a 1.400 WHiP over his 65 innings, striking out 58 batters with 23 walks. Colome notched just 17 saves as he lost the closer job for a large chunk of the beginning of the season, his struggles helping to push Minnesota into a hole they would never climb out of.
Those overall numbers hide what was a solid second half of the season. From the beginning of July through the end of the season, Colome posted a respectable 3.47 ERA and a 1.376 WHiP over his 36.1 innings. He regained the closer role, notching 15 saves in that timeframe while striking out 31 batters with ten walks. Even more impressively, he allowed only three homers.
That second half performance leads to the hope that Colome can get back to being the closer he once was. He has three seasons with 30 or more saves in his career, leading the league with 47 saves back in 2017. Colome was a solid closer prior to last season, leading one to imagine that he could find that form again.
It is entirely possible that he could find that form at a discounted rate. Even his solid second half of the year came with some issues due to his WHiP. But Colome has been solid in the past and could be a worthwhile gamble on a one year deal for the A’s.
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The Oakland A’s will need to spend some money to fill out their bullpen. Alex Colome may be the perfect fit for their relief corps.