4 years agoThe Athletic's Rob Biertempful reports that there is uncertainty on the Pittsburgh Pirates as to who will serve as the full time closer, or if there will even be one full time closer or if save opportunities are divided up. According to Biertempful, manager Derek Shelton said the decision on the closer would likely not be reached until the last week of Spring Training, and that they, "could go into the season maybe without having a guy set in that role and just kind of use a leverage situation." Biertempful says that Richard Rodriguez is likely still the frontrunner for the job, but Kyle Crick could get a shot at saves as well early on and there are several other arms who could have a potential shot down the road. This uncertainty dings Rodriguez's value in fantasy, and as long as he is not officially named the sole closer he slides further towards the bottom tier of closers.--Michael Grennell - RotoBaller
Source: Rob Biertempful