Royals manager, Ned Yost, sees no need to name an official replacement for injured closer, Joakim Soria.
“Normally, yes, I would like to have one guy designated as the closer,” Yost said, “because a closer takes pressure off of everyone else. But with the makeup of our bullpen, I don’t necessarily feel we need that right now.
“We’ve got guys down there who all know what they’re capable of doing and who all have confidence in their ability. That’s not something I see to be defined as a need right now — to take pressure off of other guys by knowing that we have a closer.
“I’ve got time to think it through.”
Jonathan Broxton, Greg Holland and Aaron Crow are all considered capable of filling in during Soria’s absence.
I, for one, hope Yost’s comments are simply smoke-screen for the first few series of the season. I hope he has actually named a closer internally and all players involved already know their role.
The closer by committee never seems to be successful in the Majors and time after time, managers, including Yost, tell fans that a bullpen operates much more smoothly once every player involved knows his role and can prepare both mentally and physically to fit into the role given to him by the manager.
At very least I hope the “committee” is two players, not three, and specific situations have been outlined for each of the closer prospects to enter the game.
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![2_b_120519_mlbonfox_kc_ari_booth_preview[1]](http://crowncrazed.com/wp-content/uploads/2_b_120519_mlbonfox_kc_ari_booth_preview1-85x55.jpg "2_b_120519_mlbonfox_kc_ari_booth_preview[1]")
I believe Jonathan Broxton will be the closer, because of his experience as a closer.
I definitely think he will get the first chance, but as I mentioned, previously, I all but predicted injuries/downfall to both Broxton and Soria in 2009