Heading into spring training, one question that has come up is whether Trevor Megill or Abner Uribe will be the Brewers’ primary closer. Megill was an all-star before getting injured and Uribe performed admirably well in his place. Uribe had so much success that despite Megill being healthy, the team kept him as their closer going into the postseason. The traditionalist will argue that the team should designate one of the two pitchers as the main closer. However, some teams have a “closer by committee” approach rather than having one pitcher handle the ninth inning. Given that both Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe are capable late-inning relievers, the Brewers should split closing duties between them.

Trevor Megill Was An All-Star Last Season Embed from Getty Images

Last season, after former All-Star Devin Williams was traded, Trevor Megill took over closing duties on a full-time basis. Back in 2024, Megill served as the closer for the first three months of the season while Williams was injured. In his first season as Milwaukee’s permanent closer, the 32-year-old was an All-Star for the first time in his career. However, after blowing two consecutive saves in late August, the team would place Megill on the injured list with a right flexor strain injury. The injury would force him to miss most of the last month of the regular season. However, despite missing most of the last month of the season, Trevor Megill turned in a fine season. He finished with a 6-3 record, a 2.49 ERA, 60 strikeouts, 30 saves, and a WHIP of 1.128.

Abner Uribe Proved He Can Be A Closer Embed from Getty Images

After Trevor Megill went on the injured list, the team at first decided to have a “closer by committee.” Relievers Abner Uribe, Aaron Ashby, Shelby Miller, Nick Mears, and Jared Koening all received opportunities to close games. However, it didn’t take the Brewers long to eventually settle on Uribe as the primary closer. The 25-year-old fireballer had a lot of success. During that stretch, Uribe only had a 1.38 ERA and converted all five of his save opportunities. While Megill eventually returned at the end of the season, Milwaukee opted to keep Uribe as closer going into the postseason. Uribe would pitch in five of the Brewers’ seven postseason games, including in game five of the NLDS, where he ultimately clinched Milwaukee’s first playoff series win since 2018.

Is A Closer Controversy Brewing?

Heading into spring training, there seems to be an unexpected closer controversy brewing on who should handle the ninth inning. However, there doesn’t need to be one! Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe can easily share the closer role. This would give Milwaukee a competitive advantage as their opponents wouldn’t be able to game plan for just one guy. The Brewers would be able to choose who handles the ninth inning based on matchups. In case one of the pitchers is unavailable, they can send the other one into a game instead.

The Rays Had Success Without Having An Official Closer

There are plenty of teams who’ve had success without having a primary closer. An example of this is the Tampa Bay Rays, who operate similarly to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Rays appeared in the postseason five straight years from 2019 to 2023. This included capturing two AL East division titles and appearing in the World Series in 2020. During that span, Tampa used many different relievers to close out games. If the Rays can do it and have success, so can the Brewers.

Having Two Capable Closers Is A Luxury Embed from Getty Images

There is no need to make the closer role a competition this spring. Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe are both capable of closing out games. Allowing them both to close games would prevent their opponents from game planning the ninth inning around one pitcher. Milwaukee would also be able to base the ninth inning around matchups and pivot if one of the pitchers is unavailable. Having two relievers capable of closing is a luxury that the Brewers need to take advantage of this season.

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