Closer Monkey

Tag: Fernando Abad

  • Jose Leclerc robs Keone Kela of a save chance

    July 3, 2017 Texas Rangers — With Alex Claudio unavailable, it was Ernesto Frieri and Matt Bush for the Rangers in the sixth and seventh of a one-run game. When Jeff Banister turned to Jose Leclerc in the eighth, however, he gave up the go-ahead home run, robbing Keone Kela of his first chance to…

  • 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…

  • Tyler Thornburg, Edwin Diaz now closing; Craig Kimbrel returns

    August 2, 2016 Minnesota Twins – The Twins held on to Brandon Kintzler, but on Sunday they did manage to move veteran Fernando Abad. Abad, who is having a stellar season, joins the Red Sox, where he likely won’t crack the hierarchy, but his absence in Minnesota means more opportunities for Trevor May to finally…

  • New closers abound as trade deadline looms

    August 1, 2016 Milwaukee Brewers – For the second straight night, Will Smith got the 8th inning ahead of Jeremy Jeffress. Smith and Tyler Thornburg have been flipping back and forth depending on matchups, so if Jeffress is dealt today, a committee is the most likely outcome. If the Brewers want to pick just one man…

  • Edwin Diaz and Brad Hand are making moves

    July 23, 2016 Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz pitched the eighth inning of a one-run game and added two more strikeouts to his league-leading 44 relief strikeouts since his June 6 debut. A converted starter, Diaz has a plus fastball and an incredible 18.3 K/9 ratio this season. All that’s holding him back thus far is his…