Category: Arizona Diamondbacks
-
Who could replace Jim Johnson as Oakland closer?
April 10, 2014 Oakland A’s — It’s hard to raise a 15.00 ERA, but Jim Johnson pulled it off today. When asked to comment on potential replacements, Bob Melvin helpfully offered, “I’m just saying that I’m not saying anything.” Aha. We see Sean Doolittle as the best alternative, with Luke Gregerson behind him in a virtual tie…
-
Astros likely to go with committees to start season
March 23, 2014 Houston Astros — Manager Bo Porter has said that he will go with the dreaded closer by committee to start the season. Chad Qualls has the experience, so we still expect him to see the most save chances, at least at the beginning of the season. Josh Fields, Matt Albers, and lefty Kevin…
-
Closer Rankings: Nos. 21-30
March 13, 2014 21. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers — Pitched very well last year and has a bobblehead giveaway to look forward to — but also has Brandon Kintzler and human bobblehead K-Rod on his heels. 22. Addison Reed, Arizona Diamondbacks — The closer who produced the widest variance in our rankings, Reed is either on the…
-
2014 NL West bullpen preview
March 7, 2014 Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks picked up Addison Reed in the offseason, but in a somewhat surprising move, have not handed him the closer gig. GM Kevin Towers said in February that the closer role will be a competition between Reed and J.J. Putz, a statement backed up by Kirk Gibson yesterday.…
-
Josh Fields is officially Houston’s closer, for whatever that’s worth
September 17, 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks — David Hernandez and Brad Ziegler ably finished Monday night’s one-run win over the Dodgers, but lurking in the background is the newly healthy J.J. Putz. Kirk Gibson intends to use him in very brief outings at first, but if, as we suspect, the D-Backs intend to use him as their closer next year,…