The 2016 postseason proved how valued the closer position is in baseball, with guys like Aroldis Chapman working on no rest, Andrew Miller enter games in the 6th inning, and arguably the league's best closer in Zach Britton not even appearing in his clubs lone playoff game.
The closer position has never been looked upon as so crucial, and it's why the Cubs twice traded for two of the game's best over the course of six months. And it's also why it would be completely reasonable for the Cubs to be concerned about the performance of newly acquired Wade Davis this spring. The 31-year-old closer is currently sporting an egregious 19.64 ERA with an opponent batting average of .474 in 3.2 innings this spring.
And while those gaudy numbers would normally raise most coaches blood pressures, Joe Maddon is still cool and collected, according to Bruce Levine.
Maddon was quoted in this CBS Chicago article saying he is "Ok" with Davis' struggles in spring while emphasizing that Davis is feeling great and is healthy.
“I am not concerned. If he was physically unable to do the job, that would be one thing. I think he looks really good physically right now.”Maddon told Levine that the differences between a big league game and a meaningless spring training game are paramount, showing confidence in his former Tampa Bay pitcher.
“Still, there is no comparison between a regular and spring training game. My bigger concern would be if somebody was not healthy, if you’re fighting an issue physically and then the results are not there. To me, that would be a larger concern. If you are physically well and the results aren’t there, I am OK. A lot of it is you need an adrenaline rush. A lot of it is a moment you just can’t recreate. You can’t do it. It is just impossible. Let’s get back to a regular routine. I think you will see him just fine. I really do.”Last season Davis struggled with foreman soreness that actually forced him onto the disabled list twice last season in Kansas City, but the native-Floridian brushed off the injury problems earlier this spring, claiming he felt the whole situation was "overblown". Even with the injuries, Davis pieced together two fantastic seasons with the Royals, solidifying his place as lock-down closer in the MLB. With a 0.94 ERA in 2015 and a 1.87 ERA in 2016 alongside a 9.8 career K/9, Davis' numbers speak for themselves.Now, the Cubs just have to hope they didn't acquire the closer a year too late, and with the season less than a week away they will soon find out.
