Dodgers: LA Pitching Coach Reveals Thoughts About Entering Season with No Closer

Several players could be handed the opportunity to take on the role leading up to Opening Day.

After the Dodgers lost Kenley Jansen last year in free agency, they've struggled to fill their closer role. This year, it's no different. The Dodgers are heading into this upcoming season without a true closer.

With a big question mark at this position, pitching coach Mark Prior recently addressed this concern with AM570 radio. 

“I think it’s pretty clear that we don’t have a defined closer, and that’s always a hot topic, but we’re gonna go into it, we feel really good with our guys in our bullpen. We’ll just kind of see how the spring plays out. Whether it’s somebody like Evan Phillips, or Yency [Almonte], or [Alex] Vesia, or Ferg [Caleb Ferguson], I think we all have guys that we trust with their makeup to handle that.

“Granted, the ninth inning is completely different, it’s a way different ballgame than sometimes in the sixth, seventh, and eighth. No matter who you’re facing, it’s just, closing a game out is a unique role in this game. But, you know, we’ll see how it plays out, but we feel really good about all those guys’ makeup and eventually things flush themselves out and work themselves out on their own, and I think we’ll be in a pretty good spot.

“But I think, collectively, our bullpen should be in pretty good shape, and we have a lot of talent down there, and I think we have a lot of depth. A lot of the guys that we signed, you know, the Shelby Millers, guys like that who will come in and be part of this mix. I think that allows us to take our time and figure out what’s the best course of action for the organization as a whole.”

Although there were players like Brusdar Graterol and Daniel Hudson that Prior could have mentioned, the main thing is that LA has a handful of relievers in the cut, so it's no big concern.

The bullpen still remains a factor of uncertainty leading up to Opening Day, but several guys have a strong chance at securing their place on the roster including Yency Almonte, Alex Vesia, and Caleb Ferguson. There are a few spots up for grabs that could leave other players like Phil Bickford, Michael Grove, or Ryan Pepiot with an opportunity. 

With as much talent as the team possesses, there is no question the team has depth— there will be guys fighting for a chance to even see some playing time. The main question is if the Dodgers will ride out the season without a set closer or if one player will start to stand up above the rest and secure the spot.