Bold opening: The A’s have not found a definitive closer yet, and that question could shape their entire 2026 bullpen strategy. And this is the part most people miss: a closer-by-committee approach could be the smarter way to maximize every matchup and conserve arms through a marathon season.
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Last July, the A’s made one of the most notable moves at the trade deadline, sending flamethrower Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres in exchange for premier shortstop prospect Leo De Vries and three minor-league pitchers.
Even after shipping away one of the league’s best closers, many observers anticipated bullpen struggles for the rest of the year. Yet the committee of Tyler Ferguson, Justin Sterner, Hogan Harris, Elvis Alvarado, Michael Kelly, and Sean Newcomb performed well in a closer-by-committee arrangement, helping Oakland post a 34-24 stretch run to finish the season strong.
This offseason, the A’s brought back most of those returners, with Newcomb departing in free agency to sign with the Chicago White Sox. They also fortified the bullpen by adding veteran relievers Scott Barlow and Mark Leiter Jr., both of whom have enjoyed success in their MLB careers. Still, no proven closer is guaranteed entering 2026.
Barlow, who logged 59 saves across his first eight seasons, could get the first chance to close, but his command lapses and propensity to walk hitters may push the A’s to explore other options. Last season, he functioned more as an innings-eating reliever and recorded only one save with the Reds. Leiter, meanwhile, picked up two saves for the Yankees in the most recent year.
As a result, manager Mark Kotsay might again lean on a closer-by-committee framework at the outset, making decisions based on matchups. For example, lefty Harris could close when the opposing lineup features left-handed hitters; Barlow or Alvarado could be summoned to handle dangerous right-handed threats. Health and performance will also play a role, with the team likely sticking with a closer who can hold a lead across consecutive outings.
An alternative path is to promote a youngster like Jack Perkins to seize the role, a recurring topic in this community as a way to keep him active, sharpen his effectiveness, and manage his workload more effectively. Another possibility is to utilize Luis Medina out of the bullpen late in games upon his return from Tommy John surgery rehab. Medina is out of options and brings velocity, so the A’s would risk losing him on waivers if they don’t find a roster spot for him.
Who do you believe should be the A’s closer this season? Should the answer come from someone already on the roster, or should the club pursue another free-agent addition? Or is a closer-by-committee still the best path? Jump into the discussion and share your take in the comments.
