The Miami Marlins Are In The Market For A New Closer

By David Levin | Aug 10, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Starting pitcher Dan Straily #58 of the Miami Marlins hands the ball to manager Don Mattingly #8 as he is relieved in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

The Miami Marlins are once again in the market for a new closer now that the team made yet another change with its ninth-inning specialist.

The Miami Marlins have taken Kyle Barraclough out of the role he dominated in the month of June and decided to use a “closer by committee” approach for the final six weeks of the season. While manager Don Mattingly will decide who gets the call from the pen based on the situation, it presents an opportunity for players to prove their worth, ultimately making their case to assume their spot as the closer in 2019.

"“We’ll just try to piece it together,” Mattingly said, via MLB.com. “Probably the other side of the off-day we’ll have a better feel for some different combinations. It’s not going to be one guy. It can be anybody. That’s my early thinking on it.”"

Ironically, it was Barraclough who assumed the closer’s role from Brad Ziegler in the first half of the season – a move that proved to benefit both pitchers. Ziegler has since been traded to Arizona on the last day of the MLB Trade Deadline.

There are plenty of pitchers for Mattingly to choose from, which could make this the biggest story of the offseason for this organization.

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Drew Steckenrider, who has been the Marlins primary setup man for Barraclough and Adam Conley, who is a converted starter, figure to be the frontrunners in this competition.

Both were the subject of trade rumors prior to the deadline last week. Also, the intimidating size and power pitching of Tayron Guerrero must figure in the mix.

Miami could also take a look at Drew Rucinski and Javy Guerra, who is hoping to remain on the team’s Major League roster.

Don’t count Barraclough out yet, as the Marlins will work with him to regain his form and work on his consistency and control.

"“We’ll just work him back in, and hopefully the next inning he’s in, he’s not walking the tightrope and there is no room for error,” Mattingly said. “Just get him back on track. He feels good.”"

The one thing the Marlins, almost guaranteed, won’t do is look to sign a high-priced closer in the offseason or make a trade for a veteran from another organization.

Ownership is still working to keep its payroll down while bringing along minor league prospects for the future.

As of now, the Marlins are off on Thursday before opening a three-game series with the Mets on Friday at Marlins Park. Mattingly will begin his experiment against a team that has been as hot and cold as Miami has been all season.

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