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Every year, it seems, the Chicago Cubs have a problem at the closer position. This season, closer Hector Rondon looked strong out of the gate, but has struggled lately. Before they run into another closer problem, they need to relegate Rondon to a setup role.
Moving Rondon to the setup role would mean sliding current set up man Pedro Strop into the closer role. While Strop hasn’t been particularly dominant either, he has more devastating stuff and has been more consistent this year. Being able to have consistency from a closer is key.
The way manager Joe Maddon handled the two relievers in their game against the Washington Nationals on Saturday suggests a change could be on the way as well.
With a 4-2 lead and zero outs in the ninth inning, Maddon elected to go with Rondon, the current closer, to finish the deal. After walking the first batter he faced, Rondon was quickly yanked from the game and Strop was put into the game.
Maddon didn’t say he was removing Rondon from the closer role, but he also suggested the closer may be used in situations outside the ninth inning to polish his recent issues on the mound.
Aside from a wild pitch that moved the runner he inherited up to second base, Strop was terrific. He sent down the only three batters he faced and got a game-ending strikeout on a wicked slider. It was the kind of performance that seemed like a symbolic turning point in the season.
It wasn’t the kind of turning point that signifies the team turning around their fortunes or anything like that, but it did seem to signify a changing of roles between the two players.
To prevent further controversy in the bullpen and at the closer spot, Maddon should switch the roles of the two right now.
