Why Lou Trivino could be the A’s go-to closer this year

From a one-win opening homestand to an ever-growing list of injuries, nothing has gone right for the Oakland A’s so far this season. The tumultuous start stings especially in light of the team’s expectation to compete for another American League West title.

Trevor Rosenthal’s thoracic outlet syndrome surgery is perhaps the most brutal news so far. The procedure he underwent Thursday will take the $11 million closer out for at least four months. The bullpen blow could turn into a highlight for Lou Trivino. He looks to be on the rise in time to take over as manager Bob Melvin’s closer.

Trivino said he “would love to” close games this year.

“I felt like Lou Trivino of 2018, to be honest with you,” he said. “It’s been great getting hitters back and forth between higher and lower velocity, mixing it up. I feel consistent right now. And I’m going to ride that wave.”

Trivino had lost his 2018 form between injuries and inconsistency in 2019. The 29-year-old right-hander dominated in 2018 as a setup man for then-closer Blake Treinen, zipping 97 mph cutters and sinkers past hitters to the tune of a 2.92 ERA, 82 strikeouts and 31 walks over 74 innings.

Out of the rubble of 2019 and 2020 seasons in which he recorded a 4.86 ERA in 83 1/3 innings, Trivino has not only emerged with command back on his cutter but also a comfort to throw his secondary offerings.

While he threw his fastball and cutter 92 percent of the time in 2018 (53% fastball, 39% cutter), he’s mixing in his curveball (17%), changeup (10%) more readily in 2021 along with his sinker, four-seam and cutter.

“I have a starter’s repertoire,” Trivino said. “And it wouldn’t be good of me not to use that. It’s easier to get through lineups using all four, five pitches I have. For the most part, I can throw them all for strikes in whatever count, so that’s going to help me succeed.”

A starter’s mix with the high-90s velocity on his fastball could make him a potent closer option.

But what about Jake Diekman?

Before Rosenthal signed on this winter and Liam Hendriks fled to Chicago to close for the White Sox, general manager David Forst and Melvin indicated left-handed reliever Diekman would be the choice to close games. He had the resume for it, having allowed one earned run in 21 appearances in 2020 with 31 strikeouts and 12 walks.

At the time, Diekman’s promotion seemed to be more out of necessity than anything. This is not to say Diekman won’t be an excellent closer, but he’s most valuable tackling left-handers in the eighth inning.

“It’s not ideal to use Jake in the ninth inning,” Melvin said. “A lot of times his spot, or what he’s used to, comes up before that. Sometimes in the eighth, you look at the lineup and there are a couple left-handers you target for him.”

Even if the A’s haven’t had a save opportunity this season, Trivino’s rise coincides with the team’s desperate need to fill that role. If a slew of left-handed batters are due up in the ninth inning, that would be a spot for Diekman to close. And Trivino can slide back into the setup role he dominated in 2018.

“Hopefully, if we can keep moving forward with Lou,” Melvin said. “Maybe he gives us an option to close as well and/or pitch the eighth inning depending on matchups.”

Trivino has done well so far this season, save for one missed pitch that the Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez mashed for a three-run home run. That’s been the only earned run and hit he’s allowed thus far. He also escaped a jam partially of his own making in the A’s one win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting two line-outs and a strikeout after throwing six consecutive balls to load the bases in the ninth inning of a one-run game. Those two walks were the only ones he’s allowed in 5 2/3 innings this year so far with six strikeouts.

“I wasn’t happy with the fact that I failed in 2019,” Trivino said. “But it was more of an eye-opening experience and kind of made me realize, like, I have to throw everything that I have. Right now I feel consistent, I feel good, feel strong. And it’s showing in the fact that I feel like I’m pounding the zone a little bit more and I’m going to continue to do that.

“Whether it’s long relief or closing or setting up, I’m prepared to do well with whatever role I have. Nothing beats closing out a game. So if they want me to be the closer, I’ll succeed in whatever role they give me.”