Atlanta Braves: Will Smith to be a ‘Specialist’ Instead of Closer?
By Seth Carter
The Atlanta Braves’ made a big splash this offseason by signing former Giant’s closer, Will Smith. The bullpen is more fortified than Helm’s Deep, but will Smith be used as a traditional closer?
Will Smith made his first official spring appearance in an Atlanta Braves‘ uniform today. Smith worked a one-two-three inning with one strikeout against the Twins.
Many believe that Will Smith’s elite numbers will place him at the end of the bullpen once the regular season starts. Instead, manager Brian Snitker may opt to use him at crucial moments in the game rather than as a traditional closer. This may be a viable option because of all the experienced closers accompanying Smith in the Braves’ bullpen.
Accompaniment
Mark Melancon has 194 career saves under his belt, including 51 saves in the 2015 season. Melancon took hold of the closer role in Atlanta after coming over at the trade deadline in 2019. He earned 11 saves for the Braves and posted a fantastic 1.83 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, and over 10 Ks per nine innings with Atlanta.
Shane Greene comes into the 2020 season with 66 career saves, including an All-Star appearance last season. Greene posted a 1.18 ERA and 22 saves before being traded from Detroit to Atlanta last season. He finished the season with a total ERA of 2.30.
Luke Jackson led the Braves with 18 saves last season. Jackson led Braves’ relievers (min. 20 innings) in several categories in addition to saves in 2019. He had more strikeouts, highest K%, highest K/9, and the best xFIP.
This is not even to mention Darren O’Day and former Rangers’ closer, Chris Martin.
Brian Snitker on Closer Role
Mark Bowman of MLB.com recently reported Brian Snitker’s comments on the bullpen.
"“I think it’s just going to be a great tool to have,” Snitker said. “The games will dictate [usage]. They’re not matchup guys. You can foresee Will pitching the eighth and Melancon the ninth right now. On any given day, hopefully we’re going to need more than one of those guys to close games. That would be the ideal situation.”"
After the Braves initially signed Smith this offseason, Snitker was quick to maintain that Melancon was still the closer. It appears that Smith and Greene will get some opportunities to close, depending on the situation.
Tomahawk Take
With the embarrassment of riches at the back end of the bullpen, the Braves can afford to bring Will Smith in at crucial moments throughout the game and trust the rest of the ultra-talented pen to close it out. As long as these guys are all on top of their games, Snit will be able to shorten the game with a late lead.
If he chooses to roll out Will Smith to face the heart of the order in the seventh inning in order to preserve a lead, that’s a wonderful luxury. This is a very effective role for a reliever the caliber of Will Smith.
This should be fun, but do you think Melancon, Greene, Martin, and Jackson can be trusted if Will Smith is used in a “floater” role out of the pen? Should Snit use Will Smith in a traditional closer role?