Closer Monkey

Tag: Carter Capps

  • Carter Capps to open season on DL

    April 3, 2017 San Diego Padres — Carter Capps will begin the season on the DL, though his stay there is not expected to be long. Brad Hand was mentioned by manager Andy Green as someone that will see some late-inning work in Capps’ absence. Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Buchter | Hand. Toronto Blue Jays — In case you…

  • 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 West Preview

    March 1, 2017 Arizona Diamondbacks — With swole shoulders and an ever-crooked hat, the Fernando Rodney Experience moves on to its fifth team since 2015. The 40-year-old Rodney was signed to a one-year deal, suggesting that the Diamondbacks hope to deal Rodney like the Padres did last June, turning the closer’s uber-fluky .210 BABIP and 1306(!!!) ERA+ into a…

  • Pirates, Nationals, and Braves deep in trade deadline drama

    July 30, 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates — The Pirates are fielding offers from the Nationals, Indians, and Giants for closer Mark Melancon. Although Pittsburgh is in the playoff hunt and Melancon has been one of the most effective closers in the game, the team may be looking to improve other areas of its roster while trusting some combination of…

  • Phillies will keep Jonathan Papelbon out of the playoffs again

    September 26, 2015 Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon was handed a three-game suspension for throwing at Manny Machado’s head on Wednesday night. Papelbon’s pending appeal will allow him to be on the bench — or maybe even the mound! — when his old team eliminates Washington from the playoffs, as early as Saturday. When Papelbon finally does…