In baseball, too many options is the best problem a team could have.

According to 620 WTMJ's Greg Matzek, Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell informed him that both Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith could get the nod as the team's potential closer. Throwing Cory Knebel into the late-inning mix, the Brewers have at least one positive heading into the 2016; a stacked bullpen, a junior version of the Yankees formidable back end.

Earlier in spring training, Counsell had also hinted that Jeffress could face righties and Smith could face lefties; a formula that seems tricky considering how interchangeable lineups are and how easy it is to pinch-hit late in a ballgame. Amidst healthy competition, the Brewers would be wise to hire one reliever for the job; he who can get batters out from both sides of the plate.

Will Smith.

2015 In Review

In 78 and 76 games during the 2014 and 2015 campaigns, Smith posted 30 and 20 holds, with a 3.70 and 2.70 ERA respectively. He struck out 91 batters in 63.1 innings pitched during the 2015 campaign - 12.93 K/9 - and owned a 3.79 K/BB ratio. Most importantly, Smith is not your conventional lefty reliever and is dominant against right-handed hitters who only batted .193 against him last season. He's a similar, less experienced Andrew Miller.

Smith also keeps the ball in the yard, as he allowed only five home runs last season, four to lefties and one to a righty. He didn't give up a run in June and only allowed seven hits in 10.2 innings pitched. His fastball clocks in around 93 miles per hour. He combines his velocity with two variations of a breaking ball, both of which set up his deadly slider; his money pitch that he throws 40.3% of the time.

2016 Fantasy Outlook

If the Brew Crew choose to stay in a committee featuring Jeffress and Knebel as well, it may help the hard throwing lefty. Smith's ERA and opposing batting average were significantly lower on appearances where he had at least one day's rest. Both dropped even lower after two or more days off. On zero rest, Smith's opposing batting average was .264; around 30 points higher than on one day's rest. Smith may not be durable enough to be an everyday closer role.

Smith tallied four blown saves last season, and nine total in the past two years. Without any real experience as the ninth inning guy, it will be interesting to see how he handles himself if given the keys to the castle. With the other two names thrown into the mix, Smith will stay fresh and keep his fantasy value steady as a saves, holds, and strikeout triple threat. He is ranked 34th among relievers on RotoBaller, a ranking that could see a boost if given the nod as closer to start the season. He has tremendous appeal as a second or third reliever on any fantasy lineup because of his versatility.

We've already seen talented reliever Ken Giles move from the rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies to the contending Houston Astros prior to the start of spring training. The Phillies received five promising prospects. The Astros, security at the back end of the bullpen. There has already been trade talk regarding Smith. He could very well be shipped to another contender in need of a closer come the trade deadline.

Conclusion

It would be wise not to bank completely on Smith as other relievers are safer and already secured into their role, but there is tremendous potential that the reward will greatly outweigh the risk come Opening Day. With spring training already in full swing, the Brewers can only hope that Smith gets jiggy with the ninth inning.

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