Spring storylines: Who's the closer?

When the Nationals decided to non-tender All-Star closer Kyle Finnegan and Tanner Rainey on Nov. 22, they were letting go the only two relief pitchers on their roster who had real major league experience in high-leverage end-of-game situations.

After a spectacular start to the season with a 1.98 ERA and 23 saves on July 4, Finnegan struggled after his first All-Star selection. Over his final 28 appearances, he pitched to a 5.93 ERA with only 15 saves in 17 chances. Although he finished third in the major leagues with 38 saves, his overall 3.68 ERA was the third-highest among relievers with 26 or more saves.

Nonetheless, the Nats’ decision to part ways with Finnegan, who at 33 was projected to make $8.6 million in his last year of arbitration eligibility by MLB Trade Rumors, was unexpected.

The choice to non-tender Rainey, however, was less surprising. The 32-year-old right-hander was still trying to rediscover his form after August 2022 Tommy John surgery. Although he pitched to a 2.14 ERA and 1.000 WHIP over the season’s final two months, his overall numbers of 4.76 and 1.490 weren’t encouraging enough for the Nats to hold onto the last remaining player from their 2019 championship roster for one more year.

So the Nats entered the thick of the Hot Stove Season in need of a closer. And here we are two days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to West Palm Beach where the question still stands: Who’s the closer?

The Nats did add Jorge López to a one-year, $3 million deal in January. The right-hander, who turns 32 today, had an overall solid season last year to the tune of a 2.89 ERA, 50 strikeouts and four saves in 52 appearances between the Mets and Cubs. And after a controversial exit from New York, he finished the season strong with a 2.03 ERA and 1.088 WHIP in 24 appearances with the Cubs.

But López has limited closing experience. Twenty-three of his 31 career saves came during his lone All-Star season in 2022, when he recorded 19 with the Orioles and four more after a midseason trade to the Twins.

In 113 appearances over the last two seasons, López has a 4.50 ERA and only seven saves in 12 opportunities.

As of now, he’s the only reliever on the roster with real closing experience.

Derek Law has found a lot of success as a setup man and only has 13 saves over his eight-year major league career.

Mason Thompson, returning from Tommy John surgery, was mainly used as a bridge or multi-inning reliever.

Flamethrower Jose A. Ferrer has been used as lefty specialist in his young career, though some do think he has closer potential with a triple-digit fastball and 98 mph sinker to go along with his effective slider and changeup.

Youngsters Zach Brzykcy, Evan Reifert (Rule 5 pick), Orlando Ribalta and Eduardo Salazar don’t have enough big league experience to be trusted in late-inning spots, nevermind the closer’s role, yet.

The Nats added left-hander Colin Poche to the mix on Friday with a minor league deal and invitation to big league camp. But the 31-year-old was not used too much in closing situations over his four seasons with the Rays.

Of the other non-roster invitees, Jarlin Susana will draw a lot of attention this spring. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound right-hander has pitched exclusively as a starter since coming over to the Nats system in the Juan Soto blockbuster deal 2 ½ years ago. But many think his path to the majors and future with the Nationals is as a late-inning reliever, possibly a closer. Still, after only just reaching High-A ball last year, the 20-year-old likely needs a lot more development before that becomes a reality.

The Nationals could still look at the free agent market to bring in more veterans on low-cost deals to compete for the job. David Robertson, Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel are still figuring out where they’ll be reporting in the coming days.

And yes, Finnegan still remains unsigned ahead of spring training starting, so a lower-cost reunion could still be in the cards.

Whether the Nats closer is already in-house or remains to be signed, it will be an interesting position battle to follow over the coming weeks.