The San Francisco Giants are planning to go young in the bullpen behind new closer Mark Melancon.
With Melancon now anchoring the ninth inning, the Giants will reportedly allow several longtime members of their bullpen leave as free agents this offseason. They're essentially overhauling the bullpen.
Giants not planning reunions with Casilla, Lopez or Romo. Front office is excited about young bullpen arms teaming up with Melancon.
— Alex Pavlovic (@AlexPavlovic) December 7, 2016
Those three veterans -- Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo -- were all members of San Francisco's championship teams in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Romo earned the save in the decisive Game 4 of the 2012 World Series.
That said, Romo is the youngest of the trio at 33, and those three combined for a 3.43 ERA in 115 1/3 innings in 2016. That isn't great by reliever standards. Also, those three relievers combined to earn $19.5 million in 2016, so the Giants are saving a nice chunk of change by letting them leave.
As it stands right now, manager Bruce Bochy's bullpen figures to look something like this come Opening Day:
Closer: Melancon
Righties: Cory Gearrin, Derek Law, George Kontos, Hunter Strickland
Lefties: Josh Osich, Will Smith
Other bullpen candidates include lefties Steven Okert and Ty Blach, and righties Chris Heston and Albert Suarez. Heston, who threw a no-hitter in 2015, is on the trade block, however:
The #SFGiants are shopping pitcher Chris Heston. He won 12 games as a rookie in 2015.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 7, 2016
The bullpen was a major problem for the Giants last season, especially the late innings, so it's not a surprise to see the team turn the page. Out with the old, in with the new. The team now has a veteran closer in Melancon and a good setup man in Smith. The other spots are going to younger pitchers still trying to find their niche.
