Texas Rangers: Shawn Tolleson Out, Sam Dyson in as Closer
By Bill Pivetz
In a move that surprised no one, the Texas Rangers removed Shawn Tolleson from the closer role. Sam Dyson is likely the man to replace him.
About time, huh?
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The Texas Rangers entered the season with a decent bullpen, especially compared to the rest of the American League West. Shawn Tolleson fared well last season as the closer, but this season was hard to watch.
After the debacle that took place Tuesday night, the team removed Tolleson from ninth-inning duties. Sam Dyson is likely the man to replace him rest of season.
Many fantasy owners were hoping when they drafted Tolleson that they would be getting the 2015 version. In 53 games, he racked up 35 saves with a 2.99 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. He finished 10th in the American League Cy Young voting.
This season, however, has been an absolute train wreck. Sorry Tolleson, but there’s just no other way to put it. Then again, it does help that he knows how bad he’s been this season.
Shawn Tolleson has been told he is being moved out of #Rangers' closer's role. "It wasn't anything that surprised me," he said.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) May 18, 2016
In 18 appearances, he has an 0-2 record and 11 saves with a 9.20 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 6.8 K/9. I’m surprised he was able to record 11 saves with an ERA and WHIP that high.
I wrote about Dyson as a waiver wire add back in Week 2. At the time of the article, Shawn Tolleson had a 22.50 ERA and 3.50 WHIP. So far this season, Dyson has two saves, 1.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 6.2 K/9.
With very few save-getting relief pitchers on the waiver wire, Dyson may be your last chance of getting a legit closer. The new closer is owned in 12.5 percent of ESPN leagues, an increase of 7.6 percent over the last week. I assume most of those are Tolleson owners, but this number will go up over the next 24 hours.
Next: Mark Canha Out for Season
This is just another go around on the closer carousel, with the newest addition being the Texas Rangers. With the start of his 2016 season, there was no surprise that Shawn Tolleson wouldn’t last long as the closer.
Jake Diekman is pitching well this season, 2.51 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Tom Wilhelmsen is also on the 40-man roster. It does remain to be seen where Tolleson ends up in the hierarchy in the Rangers’ bullpen.