Its been musical chairs for closing pitcher in the MLB this season. A number of them have lost their jobs already and many more are still being evaluated before the final call is made. Three more closers could get the axe in the coming weeks, but who are they.
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Jason Grilli (Pirates): Don't think this is too farfetched an idea with that season Grilli is having thus far. His 6.35 ERA is a far cry from the 1.99 ERA he had through the first three months of 2013. Grilli has looked flustered against prime competition like Brewers' slugger Ryan Braun, who took him deep twice in two nights causing two blown saves and two Pirate loses. Mark Melancon is the logical replacement for Grilli due to the fact that he replaced Grilli when he had his lengthy DL stint in 2013.
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Kyle Farnsworth (Mets): Farnsworth has been great so far in 10 appearances for the Mets, but the plan was for Farnsworth to stay in middle relief and not become the closer. The Mets should start to look around free agency and bring in a true closer and let Farnsworth get back to setup man. Look for the Mets to take a long look at Joel Hanrahan for the closer role. Many believe Vic Black has the inside track to be the teams next closer, but that could be smoke and mirrors until Black has proven he is better than his 3.46 ERA.
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Matt Lindstrom (White Sox): The White Sox are another team that will need a solid closer if they are going to string together wins in close games. Lindstrom has been serviceable with 3 earned runs in 9 innings of work, but thats not great for a closer this early in the season. Lindstrom is most likely safe for now as Chicago has no other viable options to usurp him for the closer role. The White Sox might be stuck in closer purgatory when it comes to Lindstrom, unless they want to go out and spend some cash on one. If they do make a move, they will move forward with the bullpen's only lefty Scott Downs, but that will only happen if Lindstrom completly implodes.
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