I finally had the opportunity to catch a Cleveland Indians game this past weekend and had the chance to watch former San Diego Padres closer Brad Hand shut the door on the Los Angeles Angels, securing a win for his new team. It was a little weird to see him in that Cleveland uniform, however, the Indians will be a team I follow closely in the playoffs, because of Hand and Adam Cimber.
This began a new thought about the future of the closer’s role in San Diego. Kirby Yates and Craig Stammen have been highly effective while working the 8th and 9th innings of games, since the departure of Hand.