DUNEDIN, FLA.—The back end of the Blue Jays bullpen has often been a problem heading into spring training, but manager John Gibbons’ problem this year stems from an overabundance of qualified arms rather than any lack of closing talent. Don’t worry, the game always has a way of working itself out.

Incumbent Roberto Osuna is just 21 years old and was a surprise success in helping the Jays to the playoffs in 2015. He was 1-6, but with a 2.58 ERA and 20 saves. Newcomer Drew Storen, 28, was acquired from Washington for leadoff hitter Ben Revere. He is set to be a free agent at the end of the current season. He was 2-2, 3.44 ERA with 29 saves. One would think Storen yearns to close. But no.

“I haven’t talked to anyone and, honestly, I don’t even care,” Storen said as rain splashed down outside the home clubhouse at the main stadium on Wednesday. “I’m just trying to fit in, do my thing. I’ve been around long enough to know that role doesn’t really make a bullpen. It’s such a group effort down there. I got a new opportunity. I’m going to make the most of it.”

The Maryland native seemed sincere in what he was saying. As far as free agency, yes, there have been some nice contracts handed out to middle relievers in the past two years, but it’s the closing role that drives the open market. Even then, the top relievers earn nothing compared to elite starters.

“You do get paid for saves, but that market’s changing,” Storen opined. “It’s now about being an elite reliever than how many saves have you thrown up. You see the way the Yankees are going about it with their bullpen. It doesn’t matter, because the save does not always come in the ninth. If you’re seeing 3-4-5 (in the batting order) in the seventh, that’s where it’s at. It’s one of those things.”

The Cardinals, Giants and Royals, all World Series winners in recent years, have demonstrated the importance of a deep bullpen that can remain effective even after the grind of 162 regular-season games. Storen, it seems, would rather be a part of that concept than merely have the designation of closer.

“Kansas City was kind of the first time it really got noticed,” Storen said. “Setup guys started to get credit, like Wade Davis when he was setting up. He has unbelievable stuff. At the same time, the guys that are just as important in the bullpen are the guys holding deficits — that can hold a two-run deficit that doesn’t make you use your setup guy. It’s such a long season and if you’re wearing guys out early, especially if you want to be effective in the playoffs, it’s going to wear you out.”

While Storen was holding court in Dunedin, Osuna was back in Toronto with some sort of visa issue, although he was expected to return in time for Thursday’s final workout before the full squad takes the field on Friday. Gibbons was thrilled when apprised of Storen’s personal attitude towards defined roles.

“That deciding point of the game may be depending where they are in the lineup, the score, it might be in the seventh inning,” Gibbons said. “There’s a big argument in baseball, well you have your setup guy and closer and you don’t want to use them early. Most teams tend to still do that that way.

“As far as the way (Storen) responded, I think that’s great. We don’t know yet what his role is going to be, but I’ve heard great things abut him from the guys that had him in Washington. We hate to lose Revere, but I thought one more top-notch reliever, which he’s been, is crucial to us. Otherwise it would have been that much tougher. We just have to figure out who’s doing what and when.”

Storen was the closer in Washington last year at the deadline, when GM Mike Rizzo inexplicably reached out and grabbed Jonathan Papelbon from the Phillies, relegating Storen to a setup role. His season fell apart as his save opportunities dried up. In fact, from Aug. 7 until season’s end, the right-hander was 0-2 with a 9.22 ERA in 15 games, while allowing a .923 opponents’ OPS. He was asked to explain.

“I understand the business side of the game,” Storen said. “I understand why moves are made. I’m just a big communications person. As long as I know what’s going on, I feel comfortable with it. It was tough. Obviously if you’re happy with someone coming in and taking your job you shouldn’t be playing the game.

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“When I showed up to the field, I was not affected by it. My performance was not what I wanted it to be in the last part of the year, but that’s part of it. Every time I’ve dealt with any sort of adversity like that, I’ve made a step forward and got better from it.”

If Storen rebounds from that bad experience and returns to his prior form, Gibbons will have a closing decision to make between him and Osuna before opening day in Tampa.

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