Tigers overcomplicating closer decision shows they haven't learned their lesson

Order has been restored to a Detroit Tigers bullpen that oftentimes felt influx last season. In signing Kenley Jansen, the club has eliminated uncertainty by ensuring that everyone has a defined role. That starts with Jansen, MLB's active saves leader and No. 4 on the all-time list, anchoring the ninth. Right?

Well, maybe not. According to Scott Harris, there are "at least three or four closer types" on the roster, with Will Vest, Kyle Finnegan, and Tyler Holton all vying for save opportunities.

This could be a problem. Flexibility is nice. Versatility can be a godsend. Chaos is the enemy of progress.

Scott Harris's closer message following the Kenley Jansen signing makes little sense

It's a luxury to have multiple guys with closing experience to be able to step in should an injury or other unforeseen calamity occur, and the Tigers have that in spades. Kyle Finnegan has served as a full-time closer with success for several years. Will Vest got his feet wet in the role at times last season. Tyler Holton? Well, that's a bit of a stretch.

Still, most teams only have one guy with true closer experience, and the Tigers have three. That's a win. But to insinuate that all that experience is equal is just silly.

Jansen is polishing a Hall of Fame resume as a closer. With 476 saves, he sits just two shy of Lee Smith for third all-time. With 24 more, he'll become the third member of the exclusive 500 saves club, joining only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman.

Therefore, it's curious that Jansen would sign with the Tigers without the understanding that he'd be the everyday closer, and in terms of experience and qualifications, he's leaps and bounds ahead of the other options, even if all else were equal.

One of the biggest issues that Detroit had last year was volatility in high-leverage situations. Will Vest was consistent, but blow ups from Tommy Kahnle and others cost the club wins when the game was on the line.

They have a chance to get this right this time, but they'll mess it up if they get too cute. Tyler Holton, for example, has a total of 36 innings pitched in high-leverage situations over his entire career. His greatest strength is his ability to eat innings out of the bullpen; there's no need to mess with what works and put him in unfamiliar situations.

Harris did say that ultimately this is AJ Hinch's call to make, and that part is correct. Harris's job is to acquire the players, and Hinch's is to figure out the best way to deploy them. Hopefully, Hinch doesn't overcomplicate matters and makes the obvious choice. Kenley Jansen should be the closer. Every. Single. Time. As long as he's well-rested and healthy.