Five questions the Giants need to answer during spring training

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Giants reliever Tony Watson. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Who will be the closer?

The vacant closer job might be the most pressing question facing the team this spring.

We all know that 2020 could be a long season for the rebuilding Giants, and it would feel a lot longer if they struggle closing out games.

Will Smith was excellent in the role last season, but he left in free agency. Tony Watson enters spring as the early favorite for the gig, but depending on how he fares, he may not last long in that role.

Gable Kapler has refused to publicly commit to naming a closer at this time, which makes sense this early in spring training. He also spoke about how the roles of relievers are evolving, and guys should not expect to be solely a seventh inning, eight inning, or ninth inning guy.

So goes modern baseball. But at some point, the team is going to have to commit to someone as the closer. Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than a closer-by-committee situation, especially to begin the year.

Of all the questions the Giants have to answer, naming a closer should be a top priority, not just to provide some clarity to a weak bullpen, but also to provide some sanity to the fan base.