Closer Monkey

Tag: Grant Balfour

  • Chris Hatcher emerging as frontrunner for Dodgers’ closer gig

    March 19, 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers – A new name has emerged in the most unsettled bullpen in the big leagues. Chris Hatcher, a former catcher (just like Kenley Jansen!) has been turning heads in camp, and some members of the media have anointed him the frontrunner for the closer job. Don Mattingly has remained…

  • 2015 Top 15 Middle Relievers

    Our top 15 middle relievers are listed below.  These players are ranked on the likelihood that they will get saves this season, not necessarily on how good they are.  To cite an example, Kelvin Herrera is a great reliever who is unlikely to get any save chances since he’s stuck behind studs Greg Holland and…

  • 2015 AL East preview

    March 6, 2015 Baltimore Orioles — It’s a bullpen bonanza in Baltimore, as the Orioles return seven pitchers from last year, a group that combined to throw 80% of the innings out of the ‘pen last year. Zach Britton saved 37 games last season after winning the job and will be back as the closer again in 2015.…

  • Sean Doolittle off DL, Uehara and Holland return

    September 13, 2014 Oakland A’s – Closer Sean Doolittle returned from the DL yesterday.  Manager Bob Melvin said that everyone will return to their normal roles so it sounds like Doolittle will resume closing games immediately. Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | O’Flaherty | Cook. Boston Red Sox — Edward Mujica recorded another save on Friday night.  Meanwhile, Koji Uehara returned…

  • Jonathan Broxton might be worth an add

    August 20, 2014 Cincinnati Reds — It’s time to worry about Aroldis Chapman. The fireballing righthander is day-to-day with an “achy” shoulder, which we learned about after Chapman walked all four men he faced on Sunday. Jonathan Broxton would be the beneficiary of any extended rest for the closer, and with the team’s playoff hopes dwindling by the…