Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Royals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Carlos Estévez led all of MLB in saves in 2025. He also had a very bad, no-good, borderline horrific day when he first attempted a save for the Royals in 2026. All signs point to him relinquishing the closer’s role, at least temporarily. Matt Quatraro indicated he’d pitch in low leverage for a while, but he’s also been considered day-to-day with a foot contusion after taking a comebacker to the ankle during Saturday’s meltdown.
In the interim, the Royals will need someone else to become the closer. We’ve seen Lucas Erceg close Sunday’s contest, and John Schreiber picked up a save in Monday’s game. Those aren’t even remotely the only options in KC’s bullpen, though.
Erceg obviously has experience as a closer for the Royals, picking up 11 saves down the stretch in 2024, plus two more last year. Schreiber has never been a primary closer, but Monday’s effort means he’s now earned at least one save for five straight years. Similarly, Matt Strahm has never been a primary closer, but he has saves in each of the past four years as well. Nick Mears earned a single save last year, his first. Alex Lange was the primary closer for the Tigers in 2023, but has barely pitched at the big league level since then.
Then, of course, the Royals have Luinder Avila in the minor leagues with perhaps the best strikeout stuff out of all of them, but should the Royals have him attempting to close games now when they still think he could become a frontline starter in the future? Especially when you consider what the pressure might do to an inexperienced reliever such as he. The Royals could also go with a closer by committee, but has that ever truly been a strong solution?
I can’t decide! What do you think?