Category: Tampa Bay Rays
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Kevin Jepsen and Mark Lowe get dealt on Deadline Day
August 1, 2015 Colorado Rockies — As we predicted Friday morning, John Axford lost his job as Rockies closer after a string of five straight miserable appearances. Walt Weiss said that he had not yet decided who would take over, but name-checked Tommy Kahnle, Rafael Betancourt, and Justin Miller, who had six saves at AAA Albuquerque this season.…
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Arodys Vizcaino, Hector Rondon ascend to closer roles
July 30, 2015 Atlanta Braves — Although it hasn’t been finalized, there are multiple independent reports that Jim Johnson has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The void he leaves should be filled by Arodys Vizcaino. The 24-year-old has the power arm managers value in a closer, and has been named as a potential…
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Jake McGee could be closing soon; Jonathan Papelbon to Washington?
July 25, 2015 Seattle Mariners — Over the last two months, Carson Smith has nine saves and Fernando Rodney has two (and two blown saves). After Smith shut down Toronto in the ninth on Friday night, we think it’s time for him to shed his asterisk and be considered the Seattle closer, full stop. Just promise…
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Brad Boxberger the man in Tampa; Rafael Betancourt back in Colorado
June 27, 2015 Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt was activated from the disabled list and immediately pitched the seventh inning in a close game. He will immediately return to high-leverage setup work in front of John Axford, and should soon be considered for vulture save work. Updated hierarchy: Axford | Betancourt | Logan. Tampa Bay Rays — After yet another…
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Brett Cecil demoted; Joel Peralta returns from DL
June 24, 2015 Toronto Blue Jays – Brett Cecil was removed from the closer role, said John Gibbons on Tuesday afternoon. Roberto Osuna was unavailable last night but, along with Steve Delabar, will also get opportunities going forward. Gibbons did not want to define roles, but he did mention that he plans to move hard-throwing righty Bo…