[EMSoccerCoach]

February 23, 2018

Hitmen ink Reynolds as new closer

Brandon Lyon was excellent as Chicago's closer last season, going 11-6 with 26 saves and a 2.88 ERA. But his strikeout rate of 32 in 59 1/3 innings wasn't what the Hitmen envisioned as closer "stuff."

So today the Hitmen announced the signing of Allie Reynolds, who saved 16 games for a poor Las Vegas team last season, while striking out a batter an inning over 50 innings of work.

The deal, a one-year pickup for $5.75 million, puzzled many, who wondered why the Hitmen would pay nearly $6 million for a closer who arguably is no better than the one who led them to a division title for $400,000 last season.

But the response is depth.

"Letting Reynolds close lets us team Brandon with Joe Bush for a 7-8-9 combo if necessary," general manager Ken Snyder said.

That setup is fine with Lyon.

"My job is to get outs," he said. "First inning, ninth inning or anywhere in between."

Allie Reynolds