Jose

Leclerc

Yates got the final out of the eighth inning, and while he did give up a hit in the ninth, he was able to keep the Tigers off the board while picking up his second save of the season. Jose Leclerc also worked in the game Thursday, and while he did strike out two without giving up a run, he also walked a pair while throwing 10-of-25 pitches for strikes. Long story short, Yates looks solid and Leclerc does not, and that’s why the former is going to get the bulk of the save chances for the foreseeable future.

The 30-year-old hurler entered the season as the Rangers’ closer, but after registering a 14.40 ERA, 2.40 WHIP and a 4/6 K/BB ratio over five innings, it was time for a change. LeClerc pitched a scoreless sixth inning on Friday — though he did still allow a hit and a walk. Expect David Robertson and Kirby Yates to handle the ball in the ninth inning for the time being.

Leclerc was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the final frame and was unable to get the job done. He struck out J.D. Davis and issued a one-out walk to Seth Brown before serving up a go-ahead homer to Shea Langeliers. He’s now given up eight runs in five innings for the year, and it’s definitely worth wondering if it’s time for the Rangers to turn to David Robertson.

Seemingly, because none of the stat agencies seem to have credited him with the save yet, even though we’re nearly sure that he qualifies for it by the letter of the rule. Leclerc came on to get the final out of the eighth inning with the Rangers leading by a run and did so by getting Jose Abreu to strike out. The Rangers then padded their lead with four runs in the bottom of the eighth and Leclerc returned to work a scoreless ninth. That should absolutely be a save, and expect that it will get changed. For the season, the 30-year-old hurler now holds a 13.50 ERA, 2.50 WHIP and a cringe-inducing 2/5 K/BB ratio over his four innings of work.

Leclerc took the mound in the top of the ninth with the game tied against the Cubs. He struggled to find the zone, allowing a single and two walks to load the bases. Leclerc issued a third walk with two outs to bring home the go-ahead run for Chicago before he was replaced on the mound. All three inherited runners would eventually come in to score. The 30-year-old right-hander remains the favorite for save situation in Texas, but Sunday was a reminder of his volatility.

It was a bit surprising that the Rangers elected to hold a closer competition this spring after Leclerc wrapped up last year in the role. The 30-year-old righty has looked sharp this spring in the Cactus League and appears to be ostensibly locked-in as the Rangers’ primary ninth-inning option. We can’t rule out veteran stopper David Robertson vulturing the occasional save chance, but it seems like Leclerc is in the proverbial driver’s seat for now. This latest development cements his status as a borderline top-20 closing option for fantasy managers.

Simply put, Bochy is refusing to name a closer at this stage of spring training. He noted that he hopes a closer will emerge during spring training and that he will anoint someone to handle save opportunities by Opening Day. At this juncture, it looks like it’ll be Leclerc and veteran David Robertson battling it out for save chances this spring.

It’ll be worth $11 million-$12 million. Robertson is turning 39 in April, but his stuff hasn’t changed much through the year, and though he did falter for a time in the second half last season, he still wound up with a 3.03 ERA and a 78/25 K/BB ratio in 65 1/3 innings for the Mets and Marlins. He projects as the Rangers’ best reliever, though he might set up in front of José Leclerc initially.

Robertson is probably the best reliever available at this point, though Hector Neris backers could quibble, and he’d definitely be a threat to José Leclerc’s closing role. He’d be a good get for a pen that’s down Aroldis Chapman.

Leclerc was a dominant force at the back end of the Rangers’ bullpen as they rolled through the playoffs and to the first World Series title in franchise history. It seems likely that he’ll open the 2024 campaign back in that closer’s role.