Are Mo's Bronx Bombers days going bye-bye?

The end is here. Well, except for one little play-in game for the Rockies and Padres, but other than that we are done with the 2007 regular season. With that in mind, it is time to start looking ahead to 2008, and what bullpens are settled and what are not. What teams are set? Which are not?

The Settled

Going division by division, we start with the American League East. The Boston Red Sox walk into this year’s post-season and next Spring Training with one of the best in the game – Jonathan Papelbon. There was some silliness this year about him becoming a starter before the Red Sox and Papelbon both realized he was more suited to closing, where he happens to be, oh, one of the best, so he will stay there.

That happens to be the only team in the American League East with a 100% set closing situation for next year. Yep, just the Sox.

The American League Central is a little easier. For the White Sox, Bobby Jenks struggled early but would go on to set a record for consecutive batters retired while establishing himself as one of the best in the business. Expect nothing less next year. The Twins continue to reap the benefits of one of the worst trades in the history of baseball and will walk in to 2008 with Joe Nathan entrenched in the role.

Over in the American League West, despite having the fewest teams, the most closing situations are settled. Huston Street might have lost the job for part of the season, but that was managerial ineptitude (which got rewarded with an extension – go figure) not anything Street had done. He will be the closer for the A’s next year with no worries. K-Rod will continue to rack up the K’s for the Angels as Francisco Rodriguez enters his walk year – the Angels had better act here soon to prevent him from bolting.

In the National League, the Phillies have to determine if Brett Myers is going to be a closer or starter for them long term. For now, pencil him in as the 2008 closer, as they certainly have no better options. Billy Wagner is still signed for 2008, and 2009, by the Mets, but his injury worries this year, along with his injury-filled past, have to have the Mets somewhat worried. He is the closer, but with trepidation. Lastly, the Nationals’ best trade commodity is closer Chad Cordero, but if he is not moved he will return to the role for another season. For now, there is no reason to believe that the Nats’ outrageous requests for him will come down, so he stays.

The National League Central has two locks, two iffy closers, and one with an option. Jason Isringhausen is awaiting the $8 million option the Cardinals have on him. Considering how well he pitched, and how poorly the 2007 offseason went when the team let multiple bodies walk, the Cards are likely to play it safe and bring him back. Francisco Cordero is certain to be back as the closer for the Brewers, and Matt Capps has grown into his role nicely. Two question marks are Ryan Dempster in Chicago and Brad Lidge in Houston – both have looked dominating at times, both have struggled at times, and both have teams that have never shown 100% faith in them. They are the closers, but both will always have a little worry hanging over them.

Finally, the National League West, where potentially all five closers could return for next year. Jose Valverde has finally proven that he is the closer the Diamondbacks have always been looking for, and the division champs seem quite pleased with him in that role. Manny Corpas might not have started the year as the closer of the Rockies but he finished the year strongly as such, and he will hold the job to open 2008. Takashi Saito has been an amazing bargain for the Dodgers and he will remain their ninth-inning go-to option. Trevor Hoffman has one more year in San Diego before likely retirement and induction into the Hall in 2013. Brian Wilson finished the year with six saves for the Giants in seven chances, and he should be the favorite for the role heading into 2008.

The Unsettled

With Chris Ray out to open the year, and possibly for all of 2008, who will close in Baltimore? Danys Baez is never going to be a solid closer again, and Jamie Walker has had issues in that role. This situation could be a mess, and could see free agent money thrown at it.

Will the Rays bring back Al Reyes? With his age, he is surely not going to be part of their long term plans, but they could use a veteran presence in their pen with his level of quality. Today, we would say he is coming back, but the Rays could change that at any given moment.

Who is the closer in Toronto? B.J. Ryan will not be ready to open the season, and might not be at all next season. Jeremy Accardo did the closing for the majority of the season, but was removed from the role for three weeks at the end of the season for a committee, only to return to the role for the final week of the season. Will he get another chance in 2008, or have the Jays soured on Accardo?

Will the Yankees bring back Mo? Mariano Rivera was solid as a closer for the Yankees this year, but far from the Rivera of old. Will he get the contract he wants, or will he walk? If he walks, does Joba Chamberlain become the Yankees’ Papelbon? If not, what options do the Yankees have?

Is Joe Borowski the answer in Cleveland? Most of the time, he was, but he is far from a sure thing, and there are pitchers in Cleveland that could be. Is Todd Jones the answer in Detroit? He can walk, Joel Zumaya is ready, but he might want to return, and they might say yes. They might easily say no though. Joakim Soria looked good as the closer for the Royals, but do they envision him as their long-term option there, or will they want to give the job to someone else? Octavio Dotel is a free agent again, and he really liked Kansas City – a return would not shock.

The Rangers have said they want a new closer, not trusting either C.J. Wilson or Joaquin Benoit with job heading in to next year. Who though? That is completely up in the air right now.

In the National League, the Braves, as they are most seasons, are going to enter 2008 with no set closer. Rafael Soriano looks ready, but is he? In Florida, will Kevin Gregg get the ball in the ninth again, or will they look elsewhere? He was far from their first choice, and he might not be again.

Is the year David Weathers is finally out of the closing picture in Cincinnati? His numbers say no, but his age and price say yes. If so, Jared Burton is ready and waiting.

That wraps up the Pen for this year – we will be back with more throughout the offseason when moves merit, and we will start shaking things down here by the late winter. In the meanwhile, though, be sure to tune in to SG for plenty of daily content throughout the fall and winter you do not want to miss – winners have no offseason.

Questions and comments can be sent to markhaverty@sportsgrumblings.com