Last Updated on July 15, 2026 6:15 am by André Lemos | Published: May 6, 2025

Injuries are changing the saves outlook across the league and some performances are looking better than some.

Who do we need to add now in Arizona? Have either Will Vest or Tommy Kahnle come close to being the main closer? Do we care about Zach Agnos in Colorado? Is Devin WIliams close to getting his job back? Is David Bednar taking any advantage of his second chance?

And then you have the ever changing holds landscape.

I got your answers in my latest installment of Paul’s Call to the ‘Pen!

The closer’s I will label in the following tiers (I’ve added a fourth tier from last year):

Strong – they are definitely the closer.
Probably – they look to be the closer, for now.
Weak – I’m not betting on them to be the closer in the long-term
Committee – We just don’t know who will get the ball in the ninth. Shrug.

Alright, let’s get into it!

NOTE; All stats are for games played through May 5.

Athletics

Closer – Mason Miller – Strong

Miller and Tyler Ferguson each got a save.

My god Mason Miller is human afterall. He got his first blown save but it is highly unlikely he it is any kind of sign of trouble.

Ferguson came in after Miller was overworked in that blown save and got the save.

It is Miller Time in Sacramento.

Holds

T.J. McFarland and Justin Sterner each got two holds while Grant Holman, Mitch Spence and Ferguson each got one.

McFarland continues to be used as the lefty specialist but he got 19 holds in that role last year so you can do worse in terms of dart throws.

Sterner rewards my vote of confidence from last week with three scoreless innings with foru Ks.

Ferguson getting the save chance shows the confidence the A’s have and he did well this week.

Spence looks to finally have shaken the long relief tag and continues to get a hold per week.

Holman is just a watch list guy.

I still like Sterner followed by Ferguson. Both are decent adds with Spence and McFarland deeper league dart throws.

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Paul Williamson

I grew up in Crosby, TX, just about 30 minutes east of Houston, TX. Yes, I am a major Houston Astros fan, and love my Texans and Rockets.

I graduated Crosby High School in 2006 (Go Coogs!) and attended San Jacinto College (Go Gators!) before attending and graduating from Texas Tech in 2012 (Go Tech!). I got my degree in journalism.

Throughout my academic life I was on some form of debate team, and it was the greatest experience of my academic career.

Now I couldn’t be more happier. Sports Ethos is allowing to me to live a life long dream: to be a sports writer.

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