Closer Monkey

Tag: Brad Boxberger

  • 2023 Tiered Closer Rankings

    The closer position seems especially volatile in 2023 after a significant injury to Edwin Diaz and Liam Hendriks was diagnosed with lymphoma. Diaz is likely to miss the entire season, while Hendriks is expected to miss at least a chunk of it, though it’s unknown how long he will be out. Best wishes to both…

  • Pete Fairbanks continues to shine

    September 6, 2022 Tampa Bay Rays – Pete Fairbanks, who by some measures has been the best reliever in baseball this year (albeit in a small sample size given his injuries), picked up his 5th save of the season on Monday. He’s now collected three of the past six Rays saves, so we’ll nudge him…

  • Nick Martinez, Jimmy Herget move to the top of their committees

    August 30, 2022 San Diego Padres – Before Monday’s game, Bob Melvin said that Nick Martinez was his preferred closer for the time being, and then went to Martinez in the 9th inning, whereupon the righty picked up his 7th save of the year. Melvin also said he wants to give Josh Hader (who after…

  • Ryan Helsley, Gregory Soto have forgettable outings

    August 29, 2022 St. Louis Cardinals – In his second appearance since returning from the paternity/restricted list, Ryan Helsley came on in the 7th inning with the tying runs on base and promptly gave up a go-ahead 3-run homer to Dansby Swanson. It was the only blemish (albeit a quite large one) on his outing,…

  • Diamondbacks and Angels both going closer-by-committee

    August 6, 2022 Baltimore Orioles – The first post-Jorge Lopez save chance went to Felix Bautista, as we anticipated following the trade. Bautista converted, and could kick this asterisk quickly if he gets the next chance or two. Hierarchy remains: *Bautista | Tate | Perez.* = closer-by-committee Tampa Bay Rays – Colin Poche picked up…