Cole Sulser’s time is now unless…

Neil Raymond

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 11: Cole Sulser #31 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 11, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Anthony Bender is going on the 15-day IL and while that’s upsetting news, he should be back shortly as he just has a mildly stiff back. As sad as this is, it opens up an opportunity for manager Don Mattingly to give Cole Sulser a legitimate shot to be the closer. I wrote about this recently. Mattingly said that he’ll let someone run away with the job, it’s Cole Sulser’s time.

Cole Sulser is about to run away with the Miami Marlins’ closer role.

Cole Sulser has a 2.81 ERA/3.25 FIP with 9.0 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9. He has a good track record as well, 2.70 ERA/2.98 BB/9 with 10.4 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 63.1 IP in 2021 with the Baltimore Orioles. He also added 8 saves, emerging as a shutdown closer after breaking out that season.

Cole Sulser is easily the best reliever in the Miami Marlins bullpen and has a chance to run away with the closing role. The aforementioned Anthony Bender has a 4.50 ERA/5.34 FIP with 8.4 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 14 innings so far this season. Dylan Floro (last season’s closer) has an 8.34 ERA/6.31 FIP with 1.7 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 5.1 innings pitched.

Cole Sulser clearly stands out and is the clear front runner for saves, but what if The Fish do something out of the box? What if there’s an option in the Minors? No I’m not talking about the currently injured Max Meyer or Sixto Sanchez, I’m talking about someone else…

Remember Edward Cabrera?! The top prospects who didn’t do so well in his debut with The Fish: 5.81 ERA/6.63 FIP with 9.6 K/9 and 6.5 BB/9 in 7 starts/26.1 innings in 2021. What if the Miami Marlins see if he can be the next Josh Hader or Garrett Whitlock? What if?

Edward Cabrera has struggled as a starting pitcher so far, and while he can always improve considering his age, another role to “break him in” into the Majors might work too. With Meyer and Sixto on the way, Cabrera might be worth giving a shot to make the team as a lockdown closer.

Neil Raymond

Neil Raymond has been a lifelong Miami Marlins fan, with the 2003 playoff run being one of his favorite childhood memories. Neil has been called a "walking encyclopedia" for his knowledge of MLB statistics and the sport's history. He follows every game and actually invented his own statistic for player value on his side project BaseballAnalyzed.com. Writing for Fansided's Marlin Maniac since 2022, he also loves Fantasy Baseball and as such is an FSWA member. Neil also loves to travel, read and follow "Futbol" teams: Germany, Argentina, Greece, Inter Miami, Bayern Munich and NYC FC.