5 Possible Replacements for Mariners’ Closer Fernando Rodney

April 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher

(56) pitches the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

It is rare in baseball, especially when the Mariners are concerned, to have a 9^th inning man who is dependable. Fernando Rodney was incredible as the M’s closer in 2014, leading the American League in saves with 48, and representing the Mariners at the All Star Game. However, after 2 consecutive rough outings, is it time to get off the Fernando Rodney rollercoaster?

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Fernando Rodney signed with the Seattle Mariners as a free agent in 2014, and proceeded to have one of his best seasons as a pro. Rodney tied a career high 48 saves, and posted a 2.85 ERA across 66.1 innings pitched. He averaged 10.3 strikeouts per 9 innings, and issued just 3.8 walks per 9 innings. His 2.71 strikeout to walk ratio was the second best mark of his career, as was his 2.83 FIP. Rodney held the opposition to just 1.342 walks/hits per inning. Fernando Rodney had arguably the best season a closing pitcher has ever had while wearing a Mariners’ uniform.

After a pair of drama free outings to start the 2015 season, his job has come into question following consecutive disastrous appearances. Rodney was called on to shut the door in the 9th inning with a 7-3 lead on Sunday afternoon in Oakland against the A’s. Rodney was awful, allowing 4 runs to score, and looking discombobulated. On Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the M’s once again turned to their closer in the final frame, however this time the Dodgers were trailing by just 1 run. Rodney allowed the leadoff man to reach, and things went down hill from there. All told, Rodney has a 1-1 record, and possesses a dismal 16.20 ERA across his first 3.1 innings.

Obviously, it would be an overreaction to immediately remove Rodney as the closer, but it feels like a change down the road is inevitable. I wrote earlier this offseason about the likelihood of a down season, and thus far I have been proven right. His velocity is way down, and right now he cannot locate his pitches. Bob Dutton wrote on Wednesday that skipper Lloyd McClendon is sticking by his man right now. However, as Larry Stone points out, McClendon is incredibly loyal to his players, but he will be forced to make a move if Rodney cannot turn things around soon.

With Fernando Rodney’s future in doubt, I thought it would be a good time to look at some of the options to fill Rodney’s shoes. All of these candidates are currently relievers in the Mariners’ bullpen, and some even have closing experience.

We will begin the list with youngster Carson Smith.

Next: Carson Smith