Who Will Close in Oakland? The A's have Options.

It’s known around the league by now that the Oakland A’s  have removed their new closer from the closer role. The A’s acquired Jim Johnson from the Baltimore Orioles during the off-season in a trade for infielder Jemile Weeks and catcher David Freitas. They also took on Johnson’s contract guaranteeing that they would pay the final year of the right-handers’ contract in which he is making $10 million dollars. What looked like a salary dump by Baltimore, they really didn’t receive much in trade, might have  been a strategic move by general manager Dan Duquette and company.

On the surface and at times Johnson appears to be dominating. You can’t deny he did amass 101 saves in the past two years yet he also blew nine saves in 2013. That is a lot of lost games in any division except maybe if you’re just hoping for a Wild Card spot in the NL West. He has already lost two games (almost three if not for extra innings heroics from catcher Derek Norris) for the A’s, despite getting one save and then four strikeouts Friday night in a non save situation, that’s it. The A’s don’t have the luxury to lose games that should have been easily won, not if they want to win their third consecutive  American League Western Division Title and more. So Johnson is out of a job at least for now and manager Bob Melvin is starting out using the “closer by committee” option but eventually one of the four pitchers I am about to mention will emerge as closer material. Also predicted will be their role if it is not the closer role. They are LHP Sean Doolittle, RHP Ryan Cook, RHP Luke Gregerson and RHP Dan Otero.

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A's Announce Opening Day Roster

*I was close (kinda) with my Bold Prediction on Billy Burns (check out my piece on Billy Burns)! He got moved on the last day possible! I bet we see him on the Big League roster before the end of the season!*

John Jaso (Getty Images)

Catchers (2): Derek Norris, John Jaso

Eric Sogard (MLB.com)

Infielders (7): Brandon Moss, Daric Barton, Eric Sogard, Alberto Callaspo, Nick Punto, Jed Lowrie, Josh Donaldson

Outfielders (4): Yoenis Cespedes, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick, Sam Fuld

Sean Doolittle (Getty Images)

Starters (5): Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir, Jesse Chavez, Dan Straily, Tommy Milone

Relievers (7): RHPs Jim Johnson, Luke Gregerson, Dan Otero, Evan Scribner; LHPs Sean Doolittle, Fernando Abad, Drew Pomeranz

Ryan Cook (Getty Images)

DL: Ryan Cook, A.J. Griffin, Craig Gentry and Fernando Rodriguez

Billy Burns (Getty Images)

Other Moves:
Michael Taylor designated for assignment
Optioned to Triple-A: C Stephen Vogt, LHP Joe Savery, INF Jake Elmore
Billy Burns will begin the season in Double-A Midland

A's Update: Cook and Doolittle Both Delayed by Injury!!

Ryan Cook
Getty Images

It is definitely a good thing that the Oakland Athletics beefed up their bullpen with strength and depth this off season. Even with the loss of closer Grant Balfour to free agency, the A's were able to bring in some very capable relief pitchers in Luke Gregerson, Jim Johnson and Eric O'Flaherty. O'Flaherty who is coming off of Tommy John surgery, will not be ready until May at the earliest but should still be a huge help to the Athletics after today's disturbing news.

It was announced Friday, via Jane Lee on Twitter, that both of the A's main set up men, Ryan Cook and Sean Doolittle, are already dealing with injuries,

@JaneMLB Cook will be a couple weeks behind. He's been dealing with shoulder inflammation. Melvin thinks he will be ready by OD.

@JaneMLB Doolittle also dealing with a setback. He has a right calf strain that will hold him back from throwing for a few days.

Ryan Cook's injury is more of a concern than Doolittle's since it involves the arm but seeing that as of now it is only inflammation there is a strong chance of recovery before the season opens.  Cook, 26, has a 2.30 ERA with the Athletics since coming over from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Trevor Cahill deal. In 2o13 with Oakland the right-hander was had a 2.54 ERA in 67 1/3 innings pitched.

Sean showing his classic move dubbed by fans as "Doolittling"
Doug Pensinger/Getty

The left-hander Doolittle, 27, had a 3.13 ERA in 2013 in 69 innings with the Athletics last season. Since being called up in early 2012, the former first baseman turned pitcher, has a 3.09 ERA and 9.3K/9 in 116 1/3 total innings.

Thankfully for the Oakland Athletics, their bullpen and their concerned fans it appears that both pitchers will be ready for Opening Day. It will also be a good time to test the bullpen's new depth, during Spring Training and not during the regular season. If for some reason the pair are not ready for Opening Day the A's stellar relief staff, considered by many to be the best in baseball, should be able to hold down the fort until Cook and Doolittle are healthy again.

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