Texas Rangers: Should Matt Bush Remain As Closer in Arlington?

After the heartbreaking loss to the Yankees on Friday. The Rangers now have 14 blown saves this season, and the inconsistency is beginning to push them out of the playoff hunt. How can the team fix this ongoing problem?

In the beginning of the season the Texas Rangers thought they had a locked down closer in Sam Dyson. That quickly escalated as he blew all four of his save chances, and was traded to the San Francisco Giants.

After Dyson struggled early the closer role was given to reliever Matt Bush. He adapted to the role quickly, but has seen his fair share of problems as of late. After Friday’s loss Bush is now 8 of 12 in save opportunities this season.

Its become apparent that the Rangers don’t have a ninth inning reliever or closer on the roster right now. Bush is beginning to unravel in that role, and it could be time to make another change, but this time do it differently.

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Instead of handing the role to the “next best guy”, the Rangers should go bullpen by committee. Use whoever is available in the ninth that night instead of giving the role to one player alone. It’s clear the Rangers don’t have an elite “closer” on the roster.

Everyone in the bullpen has less than one save this season besides Bush. The ninth inning role was not for him, and Bush is better used as a middle reliever. The best move from here in to go by committee until someone shines in the closer role.

The current options should be Keone Kela, Alex Claudio, and Jose Leclerc as the ninth inning committee. Those three have been the most effective relievers all season, and should be the next guys in line.