Going back as far as 2001, the Phillies have entered spring training with a set closer on whom the club knew, or at least strongly believed, it could rely to nail down the 9th inning.
The closer role in the last 15 years has been filled by Jose Mesa (2001-03), Billy Wagner (04-05), Tom Gordon (06), Brett Myers (07), Brad Lidge (08-10), Ryan Madson (11), and Jonathan Papelbon (11-15), and then by Ken Giles following Papelbon’s trade last season.
Now with the off-season trade of Giles, the Phillies closer spot was looking wide open as the winter began.