Insider Shuts Down Guardians Closer Controversy

Cade Smith was able to record his sixth save of the season for the Cleveland Guardians in their win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. However, he continues to make his appearances more dramatic than they need to be.

This time, he gave up two hits to start the bottom of the ninth inning, which put the tying runs on base and brought the go-ahead run to the plate. He and the Guardians were able to avoid damage with a double play groundout and a popup to escape with an 8-6 victory.

While the Guardians have won the game in all but one of Smith’s 13 appearances this season, he continues to struggle in his first season as their full-time closer. He has given up at least one run in six outings and has a WHIP of 1.46, which are less than ideal numbers for someone who was seen as potentially one of the best relievers in the game.

However, insider Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com is shutting down any possible closer change with the Guardians, even with Hunter Gaddis back in the bullpen after a season-opening stint on the injured list.

“To me a closer-by-committee means you don’t really have a closer. Finding one pitcher who can get the last three outs of a one-run game is hard enough. Finding two or three is next to impossible. Gaddis’ return from the injured list is a big boost for the bullpen. But I think the Guardians are going to stay with Smith as their main closer,” Hoynes wrote.

Gaddis is considered one of the best setup men in baseball, and he was expected to help Smith’s transition to the closer’s role, which he took over last season when Emmanuel Clase was put on leave as part of an MLB gambling investigation. Gaddis experienced some forearm tightness in spring training and did not return until April 13.

Encouragingly, since then, Smith has been a bit better, lowering his ERA from 5.63 to 4.15, after it had been as high as 9.00 in the early going. He has blown just one save, and he has not allowed a run in four of his past six appearances as the rest of the relivers settle into their more fitting roles as well.

Closers go through ups and downs more than any other pitcher as it is, so Smith’s struggles were to be expected, but it is a good sign that he is starting to turn his season around.