Grant Balfour still in the mix for A’s closer role
By Jane Lee/MLB.com
The A’s closer job is still unsettled, and expect it to stay that way for awhile. Manager Bob Melvin said he won’t necessarily take into consideration the spring performances of Grant Balfour and Brian Fuentes when making his decision, given the fact he’s already quite familiar with the veterans’ strengths, etc. And while Melvin said he hasn’t narrowed his decision down to those two guys, it would seem that they are the early favorites to land the role, though I’d keep an eye on Joey Devine.
Ultimately, Melvin’s choice will be affected by the other moving pieces of the bullpen, and where needs lie in other innings. So, if he exits camp with just one lefty in Fuentes, for example, he would likely peg a righty as his closer to start the year.
