Former Phillies manager Pete Mackanin made one of his most surprising decisions as manager before spring training even really started, naming Jeanmar Gomez the team’s closer despite there being several better options in the bullpen. That decision didn’t last long as Gomez quickly blew his chance and was eventually released by the team.
Eventually, the title of closer fell to Hector Neris, the pitcher many thought should have the job this year from the get-go. He was the team’s most effective reliever in 2016, so it would have made the most sense for Neris to be the closer in 2017.