According to Dan Martin of the New York Post, Sandy Alderson said while Frank Francisco is the team’s current closer, he continues to weigh options which remain on the open market.
“Confident? I’m willing,” Alderson said in regards to Francisco’s ability to close. “There’s still a lot out there and we’re looking.”
This doesn’t surprise me. I would expect Alderson to keep an open mind about the closer role in light of Francisco’s poor showing in 2012.
Francisco went 1-3 with a 5.53 ERA in 48 relief appearances in 2012, having allowed 26 earned runs, 47 hits, 21 walks with 47 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings in 2012.
He was shutdown after September 16 after being diagnosed with right elbow soreness, and recently underwent surgery to remove a bone spur from his throwing elbow last month and is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Francisco will earn $6.5 million in 2013, the final year of the deal he signed during the 2011 offseason.
