Daniel Bard is an example of a rare type of closing pitcher that has began to pop up more and more in recent years, and that is the Comeback Closer. The guy who you stopped thinking about five years ago who bursts back onto the scene and starts closing games like no time has past.
Transfers from International leagues have aided this distinction, as people like Rafael Dolis, Chris Martin, Tony Barnette and Ryan Brasier, but a lot of times it's people who fell on hard times and had to fight to come back, like Matt Bush, Trevor Rosenthal and, honestly, Dennis Eckersley. The thing is, not all of these stories amount to longevity- Barnette struggled in years after coming back from Japan, Matt Bush had a few more injury plagued years, and Rosenthal's career might be over now.
However, I do like that we're still hearing about Daniel Bard, because his story, as cool as it was in 2020, is still pretty cool. Boston prospect, played in some games in the early 2010s, had some great years, fell off right around when they won the ring in 2013. Then he resurfaces for the Rockies in 2020, makes the team as a NRI, has to fashion his own uniform essentially during a game, and becomes a hero closer during the shortened season. That alone would be a great story.
Last year, Bard retained the closing gig, and notched 20 saves, though with a less consistent year, and a 5.21 ERA, the odds were low for him to keep the job this year, especially with perennial knockout closer Alex Colome joining the squad prior to the 2022 season. But...Bard's still working the ninth, and he's better now than he was in 2020. His ERA's down to a 2.05, he has 13 saves, he's the second highest WAR earner on the Rockies, and he's probably having an even stronger statement than the true 'comeback' year. And I kinda love it for him.
However, there is the idea that Bard might be so good this year that other teams could trade for him, and I get the sense that Bard does enjoy himself in Colorado. I equate him to LaTroy Hawkins in the early 2010s, he's found a nice place to pitch, he loves it there, why trade him? It's almost similar to Kendall Graveman last year, becoming a clubhouse leader for the Mariners and infuriating the club once he was traded to Houston. I also think about whether these numbers will persist for Bard if he does get traded to a competitor, or whether he works best out of the way of the limelight. I guess we will have to find out.
Even if the Rockies don't get a ton done this year, they'll at least be able to rally around another strong season from Daniel Bard, and I'm glad this particular Comeback Closer was able to keep things going.
Coming Tonight: A jack-of-all-trades for, and I love saying this, the best team in baseball.
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