We’ve all read what feels like a million articles on the fallout of the “Great Bullpen Payout” after the 2017 season when Jeff Bridich dished out $106 million to Wade Davis, Jake McGee, and Bryan Shaw. More painfully, we’ve watched the trio struggle ever since. To say the three haven’t lived up to their contacts, $54 million for Davis and $27 million apiece for McGee and Shaw, would be quite the understatement.
This article has a new twist. Whether we agree with it or not, Bud Black has stated that Davis is starting the season as the closer, despite the brilliant job Scott Oberg did in the role in 2019.