Cleveland Indians: Closer Role is Defined, But Still Flexible

Cleveland Indians pitcher Cody Allen has been named the closer, but Andrew Miller still may see some time at the end of games.

Cleveland Indians fans may hear the term “closer” and laugh at such a notion after seeing how Terry Francona handled the bullpen during the 2016 postseason.

Francona made it clear that any bullpen pitcher can enter a game at any time, as a game can be lost far before the ninth inning rolls around.

The Indians have two players who could be closers on any other team, in Cody Allen and Andrew Miller, but there is a bit more flexibility in Cleveland.

However, Francona did name Allen the closer to open the season.

While Allen may technically open the season as the closer, things may be different with the Indians than they are with other teams. Francona is not a manager to save Allen for the ninth if Miller is unavailable and the team needs a lockdown inning from a sure-handed reliever. So, the opposite of Buck Showalter‘s mindset with Zach Britton.

This is also a smart move because it keeps Miller flexible, able to come in at any point during a game. He can still pitch in the ninth on days when Allen isn’t available or the matchups are in his favor, but he can also come in as early as the fifth or sixth innings if needed.

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He may not enter games this early during the first half of the season, but it could certainly be something that happens in September if the team is in the midst of a playoff push.

The addition of Boone Logan should mean Miller can be saved for later in games, but a 162-game season allows for many possibilities, as pitchers need more rest than they receive in the postseason.

So while some fans may want Miller to be the closer based on his dominance, Allen is not cemented into the role. Francona’s mindset will be to save him for later in games, but he may be needed earlier based on specific matchups, meaning Miller can come in for the ninth. Also, Miller may get some four or five-out saves during the regular season.

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It is nice that there is a conversation about how the Indians have two great relievers capable of closing out games, and it will be fun to see how the role plays out all season.