4 internal closer candidates if Kirby Yates leaves Rangers

The Texas Rangers might have an issue if they don't get on top of it now. Kirby Yates was a very successful closing pitcher for the Rangers last season. He was so successful that he even got a vote for the AL Cy Young Award. Because of his success last season, other teams will gauge his interest in leaving Arlington.

While there are a lot of good free agents out there this winter, you can't beat re-signing Yates. However, there's a good chance he wants to go to a World Series contender. Chris Young could also look internally if he wants. Josh Sborz, who closed out the 2023 World Series, was re-signed for another season. Here are four internal closer candidates the Rangers could look to fill the role if Yates leaves.

4 internal closer candidates if Kirby Yates leaves Rangers

4. Josh Sborz

Josh Sborz could be one of the candidates if Yates were to leave in free agency. After missing much of last season with an injury, a healthy Sborz could have a rebound year with Texas. Although, he would have to take over the closer role later in the season. Dallas Morning News Rangers Beat Reporter, Evan Grant, announced he had shoulder surgery and will miss the first two or three months of the season. He still can be an internal candidate to consider for the closing role.

3. Kumar Rocker

Before anyone says anything, this is just a temporary spot until there is a rotation slot available for him. Rocker shocked the baseball world last season by making his MLB debut after recovering from "Tommy John" surgery. Rocker will be on the Opening Day roster next season. Starting the year as a closer could be a possibility. With that fastball around 100 MPH, he could quickly retire any team in the ninth inning until Sborz is healthy.

2. Marc Church

Marc Church is my third possible candidate for the closer role next season. I wouldn't be too worried about his 4.21 ERA from last season. If the Rangers only use Church to close out the ninth, he should have better stats next year.

Church was a candidate for the Opening Day roster last season but was optioned to Triple-A. His fastball is around 100 MPH. However, he needs to cut down on the amount of hits he allowed last season in spring training to be in the running for the role.

1. Jack Leiter

Leiter had a better season last year and looks to be moving in the right direction. However, I don't think he's ready to be a starting pitcher at a significant league level. He still needs to work on some things before the Rangers allow him to be a regular part of their rotation. The closer role could help Leiter improve his pitch control while playing at the major league level. He probably won't want to pitch the final couple of innings for the Rangers, but it could be the only place for him if he does well at spring training.