Boston Red Sox Manager Makes Interesting Declaration Regarding Closer Battle

There's always talk of "closer by committee" or "pitching to pockets," but the Red Sox seem to be going the more traditional route. The only problem is that the traditional candidates have struggled at times this spring.

Liam Hendriks is 2-0, but he's got a 10.80 ERA in five games. He's also posted a WHIP of 2.40. A three-time All-Star, the 36-year-old Hendriks is a 13-year big league veteran. He has played for the Twins, Royals, Blue Jays, Athletics and White Sox. For his career, he's 33-34 with a 3.82 ERA. He's got 116 career saves, the bulk of which have come since 2019.

Aroldis Chapman, now 37, has been better but not perfect. He's 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA. He's struck out 10 batters in five innings, but he's also walked four batters. Control remains his biggest question.

He spent the 2024 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates, appearing in 68 games. He went 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA, registering 14 saves in total. He took over at the end of the year for an injured David Bednar, getting nine saves in his place.

A 15-year veteran, Chapman has spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and Pirates. He helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 and the Rangers take the title in 2023.

Should neither of these two assume the role, there's a chance that Justin Slaten could get it.