BOSTON – Mariano Rivera is not walking through those bullpen doors for the Yankees again … and the organization should not panic.
Forget about finding another Rivera — no one is coming along any time soon, if ever, who will combine such consistency, durability and big-game genius. But you can find, at least, temporary solutions such as Koji Uehara.
The ongoing League Championship Series should be encouraging the Yanks that closers — by far more than any other position on the field — can be discovered. The four teams standing have someone in the role other than the pitcher who began the season. In some cases, it is a third or fourth pick. Yet, here they are.
That baseball philosopher, Detroit manager Jim Leyland said, “You find them, you know why? Because you have to find them.”
That is more readily done at closer than elsewhere. Maybe in other slots if the frontline guy goes down physically or statistically, a prospect is ready or a veteran steps in competently or a timely trade can be executed — like Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski did in landing Jose Iglesias in a three-way deal in late July just before starting shortstop Jhonny Peralta began serving a Biogenesis-related, 50-game suspension.
But as the Yanks showed when their shortstop, Derek Jeter, went down, the second choice is worse than the first, the third worse than the second.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals, Dodgers, Red Sox and Tigers have better closing situations today than on Day 1 of the season, though Detroit fans might dispute that this morning.
This is not to say the Yanks and Mets should ignore finding safety nets for David Robertson trying to replace Rivera and Bobby Parnell attempting to return from neck surgery. Both New York teams have limited funds to dole out this offseason and need look only at who is still closing to recognize it is not worth spending big on anyone not named Rivera — or maybe Kimbrel.
The Tigers travelled this season from hoping prospect Bruce Rondon could handle the job in spring, to beginning the year with a committee headed by Phil Coke — yep, that Phil Coke — to trying to resurrect Jose Valverde to turning to star set-up man Joaquin Benoit. Detroit felt Benoit could handle the responsibility, but were worried about the 36-year-old being asked to potentially pitch consecutive days more regularly. He was fine in the regular season with 24 saves (11 more than he had previously had in his career).
But maybe Detroit is coming full circle to closer problems again. In ALCS Game 1, Benoit gave up history (allowing Boston’s lone hit), but not the lead, nailing down a 1-0 triumph over Boston. But on Sunday night, he came in that worrisome second straight day. This time with the bases full and a 5-1 advantage over the offensively struggling Red Sox. There were two outs in the eighth. Detroit was four outs from winning both games at Fenway. But David Ortiz, it turns out, tortures more than the Yanks, crushing a first-pitch, tying grand slam. Boston won Game 2 in the next inning.
“I don’t want to underestimate how important closer is,” Dombrowski said. “You would love to have a Mariano Rivera and know you have it solved year in and year out. And I don’t agree with those who say if you can get guys out in the sixth and seventh, you can get them out in the ninth. I think the responsibility and pressure is different and not everyone can handle that.”
But plenty can.
Consider in 2013 the Cardinals lost closer Jason Motte for the season in spring, began the year with Mitchell Boggs, who faltered before handing off to Edward Mujica, who despite having four career saves previously made the All-Star team with his outstanding work. Mujica sagged late in the season and, suddenly, St. Louis is closing in the postseason with Trevor Rosenthal.
He didn’t have a career save before Sept. 23. Rosenthal now has three in the regular season and two in the postseason, and is blowing away the Dodgers with 100 mph gas.
And, for those scoring at home, the Cardinals won a title in 2006 after turning the closing role over late to Adam Wainwright and in 2011 after elevating Motte with the season well in progress.
The Dodgers foolishly invested three years at $22.5 million to retain Brandon League last offseason. He failed and was usurped in late June by Kenley Jansen, who is perhaps the heir apparent to Rivera in reliance on and success with the cutter (1.33 ERA and .142 batting average against after assuming the job).
The Red Sox traded for Joel Hanrahan, who appeared in nine games before needing Tommy John surgery. Andrew Bailey went down with a shoulder injury in July that necessitated surgery. Boston turned to Uehara, who in his 41 games as Boston’s primary closer had a 0.41 ERA and a .097 batting average against.
“I don’t think you can just manufacture [a closer],” Donbrowski said. “I don’t think you can assume anyone can handle closing in a pennant race. But I think we have become wiser in exploring alternatives and options to find the right guy.”