{"id":8721,"date":"2026-02-11T18:27:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T00:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/?p=8721"},"modified":"2026-01-28T21:45:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T03:45:47","slug":"twiwbl-87-14-the-closers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/2026\/02\/11\/twiwbl-87-14-the-closers\/","title":{"rendered":"TWIWBL 87.14: The Closers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

And now, the closers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This list includes both players who were closers all year and those who moved in or out of that role for a significant part of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our usual practices prevail: bold <\/strong>for top 3 and italics <\/em>for bottom 3. Pitchers with below 162 IP aren’t included in the top\/bottom markers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#S Tier<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lg<\/th>Tm<\/th>Name<\/th>Age<\/th>W-L<\/th>ERA<\/th>G<\/th>WHIP<\/th>Other<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
AL<\/td>SFS<\/td>Rod Beck<\/td>24<\/td>4-4<\/td>4.88<\/td>56<\/td>1.00<\/strong><\/td>41 Sv<\/strong>; 1 H
.215 BABIP<\/strong>
1.7 BB\/9<\/strong>
5.4 K\/BB<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>BRK<\/td>Eric Gagne<\/td>27<\/td>3-3<\/td>3.00<\/strong><\/td>56<\/td>1.13<\/td>39 Sv<\/strong>
.205 BA<\/strong>
0.8 HR\/9<\/strong>
10.7 K\/9<\/strong>
2.99 FIP<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These were the dominant closers all year, with Eric Gagne<\/strong> being the better of the 2, but only barely. And some would argue that Rod Beck<\/strong>, by virtue of being 3 years younger, holds more value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#A Tier<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lg<\/th>Tm<\/th>Name<\/th>Age<\/th>W-L<\/th>ERA<\/th>G<\/th>WHIP<\/th>Other<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
NL<\/td>PHI<\/td>Bob Howry<\/td>34<\/td>4-1<\/td>3.18<\/td>38<\/td>0.91<\/strong><\/td>25 Sv
.221 BABIP<\/strong>
0.9 BB\/9<\/strong>
8.8 K\/BB<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>KCM<\/td>Craig Kimbrel<\/td>25<\/td>5-5<\/td>3.40<\/td>49<\/td>1.13<\/td>15 Sv; 11 H
.182 BA<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>HOM<\/td>Josh Lindblom<\/td>31<\/td>8-4<\/td>3.40<\/td>56<\/td>1.28<\/td>35 Sv<\/strong>
0.8 HR\/9<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An interesting group. Bob Howry<\/strong>, much maligned last season, bounced back in a big way despite an injury, while Josh Lindblom<\/strong> was just effective all year, perhaps the only truly dependable arm on Homestead’s staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then there’s Craig Kimbrel<\/strong>, who was essentially unhittable after being moved into the closer spot for Kansas City, where he’ll start next season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#B Tier<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lg<\/th>Tm<\/th>Name<\/th>Age<\/th>W-L<\/th>ERA<\/th>G<\/th>WHIP<\/th>Other<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
AL<\/td>NYY<\/td>Goose Gossage<\/td>23<\/td>4-5<\/td>4.04<\/td>58<\/td>1.17<\/td>20 Sv; 8 H<\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>NYG<\/td>Brian Wilson<\/td>28<\/td>2-2<\/td>3.03<\/strong><\/td>36<\/td>1.32<\/td>22 Sv
10.3 K\/9<\/strong>
3.47 FIP<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>BBB<\/td>Harley Young<\/td>26<\/td>1-0<\/td>2.29<\/strong><\/td>46<\/td>1.02<\/strong><\/td>15 Sv; 6 H
.210 BA<\/strong>
0.5 HR\/9<\/strong>
2.92 FIP<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brian Wilson<\/strong> and Harley Young<\/strong> could belong a tier or 2 above, but Wilson missed a fair bit of the season due to injury while Young wasn’t named the closer for Birmingham until well into the year. Goose Gossage<\/strong> was effective after being made the Black Yankees’ closer, but if you compare him to Young, Young clearly had the better year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#C Tier<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lg<\/th>Tm<\/th>Name<\/th>Age<\/th>W-L<\/th>ERA<\/th>G<\/th>WHIP<\/th>Other<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
AL<\/td>CLE<\/td>Terry Adams<\/td>23<\/td>1-6<\/td>4.69<\/td>45<\/td>1.31<\/td>23 Sv; 2 H<\/td><\/tr>
AL<\/td>BAL<\/td>Buddy Groom<\/td>37<\/td>1-4<\/td>5.32<\/td>46<\/td>1.27<\/td>18 Sv; 5 H
3.2 HR\/9<\/em>
5.9 K\/9<\/em>
7.17 FIP<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
AL<\/td>MEM\/
MCG<\/td>		Jonathan Papelbon<\/td>31<\/td>3-6<\/td>4.50<\/td>60<\/td>1.27<\/td>28 Sv; 5 H<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These are either useful arms at the end of the bullpen (Terry Adams<\/strong>, Jonathan Papelbon<\/strong>) or a surprising success in a limited time as a closer (Buddy Groom<\/strong>). Groom’s peripherals indicate this may be a mirage, but he was the best closer the Black Sox had all season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#D Tier<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lg<\/th>Tm<\/th>Name<\/th>Age<\/th>W-L<\/th>ERA<\/th>G<\/th>WHIP<\/th>Other<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
—<\/td>BAL\/
KCM<\/td>		Joe Beggs<\/td>34<\/td>2-8<\/td>5.68<\/td>45<\/td>1.32<\/td>18 Sv; 1 H
5.3 K\/9<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>IND<\/td>Rob Dibble<\/td>27<\/td>3-4<\/td>4.87<\/td>48<\/td>1.49<\/td>24 Sv; 1 H
5.9 BB\/9<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>OTT<\/td>Tom Henke<\/td>31<\/td>2-3<\/td>5.73<\/td>42<\/td>1.27<\/td>23 Sv
.214 BABIP<\/strong>
3.8 HR\/9<\/em>
7.39 FIP<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
AL<\/td>DET<\/td>Mike Henneman<\/td>28<\/td>4-3<\/td>4.10<\/td>43<\/td>1.42<\/td>26 Sv
.327 BABIP<\/em>
10.4 K\/9<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
—<\/td>NYY\/
HOU<\/td>		Sparky Lyle<\/td>29<\/td>2-5<\/td>4.90<\/td>55<\/td>1.29<\/td>10 Sv; 11 H
2.2 BB\/9<\/strong>
3.7 K\/BB<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>HOU<\/td>Tug McGraw<\/td>27<\/td>5-5<\/td>3.92<\/td>41<\/td>1.31<\/td>12 Sv; 8 H<\/td><\/tr>
AL<\/td>CAG<\/td>AJ Minter<\/td>25<\/td>5-4<\/td>5.54<\/td>54<\/td>1.37<\/td>17 Sv; 2 H
4.6 K\/9<\/em>
1.2 K\/BB<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
AL<\/td>LAA\/
SFS<\/td>		Joe Nathan<\/td>31<\/td>5-6<\/td>5.43<\/td>57<\/td>1.47<\/td>22 Sv; 6 H<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Everyone has some issues here, from Tom Henke<\/strong>‘s tendency to give up the longball to Mike Henneman<\/strong>‘s injury absence, to the inability of Sparky Lyle<\/strong> and Tug McGraw<\/strong> to really gel in Houston. But none of these are in danger of being forced out of the league, and many of them will return as closers next season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#F Tier<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lg<\/th>Tm<\/th>Name<\/th>Age<\/th>W-L<\/th>ERA<\/th>G<\/th>WHIP<\/th>Other<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
AL<\/td>NYY<\/td>Aroldis Chapman<\/td>27<\/td>5-4<\/td>5.47<\/td>58<\/td>1.49<\/td>18 Sv; 8 H
4.8 BB\/9<\/em>
1.6 K\/BB<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
AL<\/td>POR<\/td>Trevor Hoffman<\/td>34<\/td>3-7<\/td>5.36<\/td>45<\/td>1.43<\/td>15 Sv; 8 H<\/td><\/tr>
AL<\/td>MCG<\/td>Ricky Nolasco<\/td>31<\/td>7-6<\/td>5.50<\/td>54<\/td>1.52<\/td>26 Sv; 4 H
.294 BA<\/em>
3.2 HR\/9<\/em>
7.08 FIP<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>KCM<\/td>Jeff Pfeffer<\/td>24<\/td>1-4<\/td>6.16<\/em><\/td>43<\/td>1.53<\/td>16 Sv; 1 H
.303 BA<\/em>
.338 BABIP<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
NL<\/td>BBB<\/td>Juan Rinc\u00f3n<\/td>27<\/td>3-3<\/td>8.47<\/em><\/td>36<\/td>1.85<\/td>12 Sv; 1 H
.338 BA<\/em>
.371 BABIP<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
AL<\/td>LAA<\/td>Francisco Rodr\u00edguez<\/td>25<\/td>3-5<\/td>6.87<\/em><\/td>53<\/td>1.63<\/td>8 Sv; 12 H
5.4 BB\/9<\/em>
1.6 K\/BB<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This group struggled, but are on a variety of paths: Francisco Rodr\u00edguez<\/strong> may actually start next season as the Angels’ closer and Trevor Hoffman<\/strong> will get another shot in Portland. But Jeff Pfeffer<\/strong> is likely done as a closer, and Juan Rinc\u00f3n<\/strong> pitched himself right out of the league. Aroldis Chapman<\/strong> remains an elite power arm, but without a little more control is probably destined to bounce around a bit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

And now, the closers! This list includes both players who were closers all year and those who moved in or out of that role for a significant part of the year. Our usual practices prevail: bold for top 3 and italics for bottom 3. Pitchers with below 162 IP aren’t included in the top\/bottom markers. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[416],"tags":[452,217,150,897,814,505,799,921,720,643,506,323,761,324,486,290,471,1410,788,386,543,365,736,165,166],"class_list":["post-8721","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-twiwbl","tag-a-j-minter","tag-aroldis-chapman","tag-bob-howry","tag-brian-wilson","tag-buddy-groom","tag-craig-kimbrel","tag-eric-gagne","tag-francisco-rodriguez","tag-goose-gossage","tag-harley-young","tag-jeff-pfeffer","tag-joe-beggs","tag-joe-nathan","tag-jonathan-papelbon","tag-josh-lindblom","tag-juan-rincon","tag-mike-henneman","tag-ricky-nolasco","tag-rob-dibble","tag-rod-beck","tag-sparky-lyle","tag-terry-adams","tag-tom-henke","tag-trevor-hoffman","tag-tug-mcgraw"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8721","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8721"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8721\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8956,"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8721\/revisions\/8956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8721"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8721"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wbl.dmlco.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8721"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}