Diamondbacks Spring Competition: The Bullpen
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Back on December 15th we talked with Mike Hazen about spring competition and bullpen roles. At that time he indicated the team might go with a closer by committee or if someone emerged to lock down the role they could also go with a set closer.
"Who knows how the rest of the offseason holds, but that's my guess as to what ends up happening anyway. We're trying to acquire guys that are going to be in competition, have opportunity to close. Torey likes to have a closer, so we're not opposed to doing that if we find the right guy. I think we we're a little more flexible as to having multiple closers but I get it.....It's worked out for us in the past......I'm guessing we would go into spring training and look to solidify a closer. But that's more of a Torey question once we get to spring training."
Now almost 8 weeks later the rest of the off season has unfolded without the team adding a clear cut closer. Barring any last minute signings to the major league roster it appears there are four opening day roster bullpen roles up for grabs this spring.
Roster Locks
Jack Sommers
The above four pitchers are assured of a roster spot on the opening day roster.
Veteran Mark Melancon lost the closer's role last year but is under contract for 2023 ($6M), and will be given the opportunity to win back the job. The hope is that with a full spring training to prepare properly, as opposed to last year when he was late to camp due to travel issues, he'll get off to a better start.
Joe Mantiply is the main setup and matchup lefty, but may get opportunities to close games as well. Mantiply rode a hot first half to the all star game last year but struggled in the second half.
Miguel Castro ($3.5M) and Scott McGough ($2.5M) were both signed as free agents and are assured roster spots. McGough had a lot of success closing in Japan the last two seasons and will be given a chance to compete for that role. Castro seems more likely to be in a set up role, but based on his high power stuff and salary he's getting paid he can't be ruled out for some save chances.
Left Hand Relief Competition
Ratings Note: 1 = Favorite, 2 = Maybe, 3= Long Shot
Kyle Nelson should be the favorite heading into spring to capture the role of second lefty in the pen. He had a breakout season last year posting a 2.19 ERA and 3.22 FIP in 37 innings, but struggled with injury and inconsistent control over the second half of the season. He still has minor league options so will need to show that he's healthy and throwing strikes in order to reprise his role from last year.
If Nelson falters in spring two lefties that might be next in line could be Tommy Henry or Tyler Holton. Henry seems to have slid down to 8th or 9th on the starting pitcher depth chart. If the team has a need for a left hander in the bullpen that may accelerate a decision to convert him to reliever, at least for now. Holton is listed along with Henry as a secondary option by virtue of the fact he has a 40-Man Roster spot.
Tyler Gilbert, Jesse Biddle, and Sam Clay are among non-roster invitees who will get a chance to show their stuff in spring but are long shots for opening day.
Right Hand Relief Competition
Kevin Ginkel is clearly a favorite to win a role in the pen and many believe he could even be the closer. With his high velocity fastball and good slider he has the stuff to compete for the job. Ginkel, who still has minor league options, has had issue with consistency. He has stretches where he is great and then stretches where he really struggles, seemingly with little in between.
Corbin Martin is out of options. The team kept him on the 40-man roster and presumably he'll have every chance to win a long and middle relief role. After all he was the most highly thought of prospect coming back at the time of the Zack Greinke trade. He would need to pass through waivers if the team wanted to send him back to Reno though, and it's unlikely he'd clear. So the team is hoping he can have a strong spring and win a role rather than giving up on him.
Cole Sulser, who was picked up off waivers, had a poor year for the Marlins in 2022. But the arbitration eligible pitcher was tendered a contract ($825K) for 2023 and is among the favorites to win a role a that basis.
Former All Star closer Jeurys Familia is among a host of relievers signed to minor league contracts, receiving a spring invite. While he has been in decline the last four years, he still throws 95 MPH and likely has the best chance among the non-roster invitees to crack the roster.
Luis Frias, who was repeatedly called up and down last year is still on the 40-man roster. He has struggled with command whenever given a chance however and still has options. He'll need to show much better control for the team to go in his direction.
Carlos Vargas and Justin Martinez are the best two relief pitching prospects in the organization, but probably need a month or two of seasoning in AAA. That said, a lights out spring by either of them could change the equation. The rest of the pitchers on the list above are long shot non-roster invitees.
Summary:
There are four locks for the bullpen, Melancon, Mantiply, Castro, and McGough. The four favorites to fill the remaining four roles are Nelson, Ginkel, Martin, and Sulser. However they are in competition primarily with Henry, Holton, Familia, and Frias, with Vargas and Martinez nipping at their heels also.
