Closer Monkey

Tag: addison reed

  • Tony Barnette should get the next save chance in Texas

    April 13, 2017 Texas Rangers — Before Texas blew its game open — gifting a save to young Jose Leclerc — the first save chance in the post-Sam Dyson era was slated for Tony Barnette, a 33-year-old with no prior major league saves. In 2015, though, Barnette led the Japan Central League with 41 of them, tied with some guy…

  • No clarity yet among Glover, Treinen, and Kelley

    March 30, 2017 New York Mets — As expected, Jeurys Familia will miss the first 15 games of the year as a result of his offseason domestic violence arrest. Addison Reed will close during Familia’s suspension. Updated hierarchy: Reed | Salas | Robles. Washington Nationals — Still no clarity in D.C., where the front office loves what it sees from Koda…

  • Top 15 Middle Relievers for 2017

    Below is a ranking of our top 15 middle relievers, based on their likelihood to get saves this season — not necessarily their skill level. As an example, Pedro Strop is a very good reliever who’s unlikely to get any save chances, because he’s stuck behind Wade Davis and Hector Rondon. So although Strop is a much better pitcher than a number of…

  • 2017 NL East Preview

    March 1, 2017 Atlanta Braves — After a comically horrific start to the 2015 season, Jim Johnson returned to the Braves, where he’s quietly spent the past season and a half regaining his form. His strikeout rate climbed back over the magical one-per-inning mark in 2016, and he ended the year with 20 saves after Arodys…

  • Fernando Salas trade opens Angels’ ninth for Ramirez or Guerra

    September 1, 2016 Los Angeles Angels — With the waiver deadline deal of Fernando Salas to the Mets, we expect a combination of J.C. Ramirez and Deolis Guerra (traded from the Mets eight years ago for Johan Santana) to handle the L.A. closing duties going forward. Whichever guy gets the job full-time will be the Angels’ fifth closer…