Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Marlins plan to have relievers A.J. Ramos and Carter Capps compete for the club’s closer role in 2016. Jackson also notes that the Marlins had interest in Fernando Rodney for the role until the veteran signed with the Padres last seek.
Ramos, 29, handled closing duties for the Marlins last season and did an admirable job, going 32-for-36 in save chances since taking over the role in mid-May. He also compiled a 2.30 ERA with an 87/26 K/BB ratio over 70 1/3 innings.
Capps, 25, impressed in 31 innings of work last season for the Marlins, posting a 1.16 ERA with 58 strikeouts and seven walks. According to FanGraphs, only one reliever -- Aroldis Chapman -- had a higher average velocity on his fastball than Capps’ 98.1 MPH.
Capps has the edge in the “stuff” department, but Ramos’ experience may help him keep the job. Additionally, the Marlins might prefer to keep Capps in a set-up role so as to keep his value deflated with two more remaining years of arbitration eligibility. The Marlins recently avoided arbitration with Ramos in his first year of eligibility, agreeing on a $3.4 million salary.
