Category: Boston Red Sox

  • Closer Rankings: Nos. 1-10

    March 13, 2014 10. Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates — Had a great 2013, but he’s older than you might think, with lingering health concerns. Still the top option for a team good enough to win a lot, but not good enough to win by a lot. 9. David Robertson, New York Yankees — As the post-Mo era…

  • 2014 AL East bullpen preview

    March 11, 2014 Baltimore Orioles – Tommy Hunter has the inside track to the closer role to begin the season after the Orioles traded away Jim Johnson during the offseason. Darren O’Day will be right on his heels however, as will former Marlin Ryan Webb. Webb didn’t wow anyone last year, but he does have…

  • Craig Breslow continues to impress; Josh Fields more than just a cursory “closer”

    September 6, 2013 Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa had a terrible outing on Thursday, allowing two inherited runners to score and then giving up two more runs of his own.  Craig Breslow, meanwhile, logged two spotless innings and picked up the win.  Breslow had basically been splitting the 8th inning role with Tazawa —…

  • Koji Uehara, not Junichi Tazawa, will get first crack at saves in Boston

    June 21, 2013 Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara revealed before Friday’s game that it would be he, and not Junichi Tazawa, that will get to close while Andrew Bailey regains his footing.  Hierarchy change: Koji Uehara to Closer, Junichi Tazawa to Set-up. . Closer . Set-Up . 2nd in line . 2014 Closer . Updated BOS Koji…

  • Andrew Bailey axed from closer role; Tazawa likeliest to benefit

    June 20, 2013 Boston Red Sox — After yet another blown save by Andrew Bailey, John Farrell finally announced that he was ready to try another option at closer. Although Farrell says that they will discuss the identity of the replacement “internally,” we again believe that the Sox will turn to Junichi Tazawa, while keeping 38-year-old Koji Uehara…