(Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports)
Rex Brothers figured he would be a lock to be the Rockies closer at the end of last season. After all, he was lights out by having 19 saves after Rafael Betancourt was done for the season.
The Rockies had other ideas. They signed Latroy Hawkins to a one-year, $2.5 million deal this offseason to be their closer. They wanted Brothers to be their setup guy since he gives the Rockies a better chance to win by being in that role. They don’t have anyone better as a setup guy.
It’s understandable if Brothers does not like the role he is in. As good as being a setup guy is, high pay and fame come from being a closer. Most relievers dream of being closers.
Brothers has the lights out stuff to be the closer. He is able to get strikes by overpowering hitters with his fastball, and he is quick in getting outs. This is why he makes sense as a closer than Hawkins.
Hawkins would have been better served as a setup guy, but he wasn’t signing with the Rockies unless he was given assurances that he is the closer. After all, he was 13-for-16 in save opportunities. He was going to be a closer for some team if it wasn’t for the Rockies. The Rockies wanted to fill two needs, and they did by finding a closer and keeping Brothers as the setup guy.
There’s still a chance for Brothers to be the closer. If Hawkins gets off to a rough start as a closer, Rockies manager Walt Weiss will likely change roles in May. He knows he can’t blow away wins at the expense of trying to get Hawkins to figure it out. All Brothers can do is be patient for the time being.
For Brothers, there’s something about being the closer. The pressure of getting the last three outs magnifies each time. The drama of being in jams can be stimulating for a closer’s soul. Closers are the third most important role for baseball players.
Brothers was such a natural in closing out games last year. He knew what he was doing out on the mound. He approached the ninth inning like it was no big deal. He made it look easy.
He was comfortable in his new role as a closer. He had that mentality where he was ready to go in the ninth inning. He knew he was pitching in a tight game where he was going to finish an opposing team off.
It will be interesting how Brothers handles his role as the setup guy. He pitched well in that role until he was the closer last season. With that said, there will be questions if he is mentally engaged in pitching in that role that he prefers not to be in. He is obviously disappointed to pitch in that spot after doing well as a closer. It’s not easy to go back from being a closer to a setup guy.
Brothers will be a good soldier, but make no mistake. He wants to close games. He will be pining for that to happen. He wants it to happen this year. Sure he can wait until next year, but he feels he is the best guy now. He is overqualified now to be a setup guy.
This is something the Rockies shouldn’t put Brothers to be in a position for him to wait for Hawkins to fail. It’s not fair for the new Rockies closer, who may be thinking that the setup guy could take his job if he messes up. It’s not something the Rockies need.
All Brothers can do is say the right things and do his job.
Brothers will eventually close for the Rockies. Hawkins is only there for one year, and it’s hard to believe the Rockies are going to pay Hawkins more money next year when they have a closer that is ready.
Hawkins admitted he is keeping the closer’s seat warm for Brothers. He knows he can be replaced this year or next year.
Still, Brothers has to ask why he should wait. While it’s good for the team that he is the setup guy, he knows he outgrown his role in pitching in the eighth inning.
Brothers knows he has to do his job whether he likes it or not. He has no choice. If he is going to be the closer, he has to be engaged in his role as a setup guy. Part of being a professional athlete is sacrificing his role for the greater good.
Brothers said it won’t be a problem. His performance in the eighth inning will determine if he means what he says.
All Brothers can do is bide his time until he pitches in the ninth inning.
What choice does he have?
Contact or follow Leslie Monteiro at @LightRodWriter.
Leslie Monteiro
Leslie is a contributor for Lightning Rod Sports. He covered high school sports in Bergen County out in North Jersey, and has written op-ed columns on sports such as Bleacher Report and NY Sports Digest.
