Who Will the Rangers Closer Be?

Neftali Feliz

Today during the Winter Meetings nothing really happened for the Texas Rangers. They didn’t make any big acquisitions, and they didn’t make any big decisions. In fact, Jon Daniels said today the Rangers are not looking for a closer and feel pretty good about their closing options. But do Rangers fans feel good about the Rangers closing options? I think that they should.

The Texas Rangers closing options are really between three guys, two of which have been closers before. Neftali Feliz, Tanner Scheppers and Joakim Soria. Soria and Feliz have been closers before, and Tanner Scheppers has the stuff to be a closer in my opinion. Even though I know it won’t be decided today, and probably not tomorrow either, I though it would be fun to take a look at it.

Joakim Soria was a great closer for the Kansas City Royals for many years and was a really good set up man for the Texas Rangers last season when he came back from injury. In 26 games for the Texas Rangers Soria posted a 3.80 ERA, struck out 28 while walking 14. He has a career 2.50 ERA. If I had my way I would leave Joakim Soria as either a seventh inning or eighth inning set-up man.

Scheppers really came into his own last season before the Cleveland bar incident. Scheppers posted a 1.88 ERA last season with 59 strikeouts and 24 walks in 76 games. He would be a good choice and I would not be surprised if he became the Texas Rangers closer of the future, but I don’t think it is going to happen in 2014. I think, like Soria, he needs to remain a set-up man.

Which brings me to former Ranger All-Star closer Neftali Feliz. Feliz did not get into a lot of games last seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he did post an ERA of 0.00 in his six games. Feliz has 74 career saves and a career ERA of 2.61. I would really enjoy seeing Feliz back in his role as closer now that Joe Nathan is in Detroit with Kinsler. Feliz is the only closer the Texas Rangers have had in their World Series years. He is ready in my opinion to take back the role, and I hope he earns it in spring training.

Agree? Disagree? let me know! Thanks for reading.