Jake McGee RP FA Thu 9/25/14 11:06 AM
Jake McGee
RP FA
Rays manager Joe Maddon said he will likely go with a closer by committee next season, the Tampa Tribune reports. "I kind of like the closer-less bullpen, where you really can match up," Maddon said. "We've done it where the eighth innings requires the skill set and the ninth may require this skill set, and you have several guys who don't mind the pressure of those last three outs. For me, it looks like it would be best off to stay the way we are."
McGee sits with a 1.92 ERA and 0.91 WHIP for the season, but he's struggled of late, with six earned runs allowed and three blown saves in his last six appearances. Despite his recent struggles, McGee will head into 2015 as the clear favorite for save opportunities in Tampa, but Maddon's unwillingness to commit to him in the ninth-inning role will keep him from being considered among the top tier of fantasy closers. Brad Boxberger, who has fanned 104 batters in just 64.2 innings this season, will likely nip at McGee's heels, and of course Grant Balfour has another year remaining on his deal.
