Red Sox Roundtable: What Can Be Done About The Closer Role?

April 13, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan (52) walks to the dugout after being relieved during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

It is with increasing concern that Red Sox fans are witnessing one of Boston’s early season gaps; the closer role. Joel Hanrahan has been entirely underwhelming both during spring training and the regular season. One can attempt to split this hair a number of ways but the bottom line is that your closer shouldn’t have the worst ERA on the team. Hanrahan’s  11.57 ERA is approaching double his nearest underperforming teammate, Alfredo Aceves, who clocks in at a portly 6.75 ERA.

As we do every week here at BSI, we like to throw open the roundtable discussion for comment by you and our BSI staff writers. The question is simple: What should Boston do about their closer situation? As with any Red Sox related question, I have strong opinions but would prefer not to sway the conversation and allow you to provide the content and context.

Sound off everyone. As I tell my writers, I encourage you as well to “Write On!”