Gomez is Phillies closer? No one told him
No one ever told the 11th man in Phillies history to reach 30 saves that he was the closer. It was April 9, and Jeanmar Gomez stretched in the fifth inning with the rest of his bullpen mates. He prepared for a phone call in the middle innings, just as it had come in the first six seasons of his nondescript major-league career, but three other Phillies relievers were summoned before Gomez.
No one ever told the 11th man in Phillies history to reach 30 saves that he was the closer. It was April 9, and Jeanmar Gomez stretched in the fifth inning with the rest of his bullpen mates. He prepared for a phone call in the middle innings, just as it had come in the first six seasons of his nondescript major-league career, but three other Phillies relievers were summoned before Gomez.
So he saved that game with six casual pitches. Then, he converted 30 of his next 33 chances. Manager Pete Mackanin said Gomez was the "last choice" to be his closer. Gomez, from his entrance song (a soft-rock Christian tune in Spanish) to his arsenal (a fastball that averages 92 mph), does not follow the modern closer archetype.
"I don't believe it," Gomez said, when asked about the 30-save plateau.
His steadiness in 2016 accomplished two things: The Phillies were able to let other relievers find their footing without the pressure of the ninth inning. And Gomez showed how a successful closer need not have a track record or overpowering repertoire.
What does that mean for 2017? Gomez, 28, is not guaranteed to be the closer again; both Hector Neris and Edubray Ramos possess more traditional closer's stuff and could ascend to the role. Or not.
The Phillies are certain to offer Gomez a contract through arbitration, where he would receive a significant raise from the $1.4 million he made in 2016. But the Phillies have such few payroll commitments next season that Gomez's increased salary is no burden - even if he returns to a middle-relief job.
Mackanin said there were moments in 2015, before the Phillies traded Jonathan Papelbon, that he wished the eighth- and ninth-inning pitchers were reversed. Ken Giles was so dominant in the eighth inning that it spawned a natural curiosity about how he'd fare as a closer.
There are similar thoughts now, especially with the way Neris has pitched. He is just 16 months younger than Gomez, but his 2016 season has made a greater impression. Neris has struck out 11.30 batters per nine innings. Giles' rate last season, in a similar amount of innings, was 11.19. The Phillies flipped Giles into a package of young arms from Houston.
Neris' 4.28 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks among the best in Phillies history for a reliever with at least 60 innings pitched. He has thrived as a setup man. That, bullpen coach Rick Kranitz said, is a testament to Gomez.
"By him taking that job," Kranitz said, "it's let the other guys grow into who they need to be, which is great."
Mackanin said he has no pressing need to see either Neris or Ramos, a rookie with eye-popping stuff, dabble as closer. The manager must reward Gomez's success, even if much of it is based upon luck.
"I know he's not a strikeout guy," Mackanin said. "But what do you do?"
Gomez's 91.2 save percentage ranks fifth among the 16 instances in which a Phillies pitcher reached 30 saves. Only Brad Lidge's perfect season in 2008, Ryan Madson (2011), Billy Wagner (2005) and Jose Mesa (2001) were better.
Gomez's success rate is higher than any of Jonathan Papelbon's seasons in Philadelphia.
His style is not unprecedented; 23 closers with at least 30 saves in the last 20 seasons have a lower rate than Gomez's 6.09 strikeouts per nine innings. He has six more strikeouts (37) than saves (31). The Phillies explored a trade involving Gomez last month but found that saves do not carry the same cachet as before. Teams are chasing velocity for the later innings.
So be it. The bullpen is the last piece for a rebuilding team. Gomez is a fine placeholder.
"He stayed with it and did a good job," Mackanin said. "He stays poised on the mound. He's such a great guy, and he's been extremely valuable for us. Thirty saves. His son was just born. It's been a good year for him."
It has. Gomez, a deeply religious man, named his son Matthew - "Gift of God." His family has stayed in Philadelphia all season to maximize their time together. Matthew was born Aug. 4. A day later, Gomez recorded his 28th save - 27 more than he registered in his first six seasons combined. Still, no one has told him he's the closer.
Now, when a game at Citizens Bank Park ends, Gomez rushes home.
"When you see that baby," Gomez said, "you just have to say thanks to God for that blessing you give to me."
@MattGelb
Staff writer Matt Breen contributed to this article.