Closer Monkey

Tag: Rafael Soriano

  • Where does Rafael Soriano fit in to the Cubs bullpen?

    July 20, 2015 Kansas City Royals – In perhaps the most unlikely save of 2015, Joe Blanton got the last three outs of a 3-run Royals victory on Sunday. Save for Blanton, virtually the entire Kansas City bullpen had pitched on both Friday and Saturday, and rather than make someone go three straight, Ned Yost…

  • Trade Deadline Buy/Sell: National League

    July 16, 2015 Special Update (Part 2 of 2 — click here for the American League) —– Glossary: BUY+: This player has a strong chance (at least 50%) of becoming a closer by the trade deadline. BUY: This player has a small chance (at least 20%) of becoming a closer by the trade deadline. SELL: This…

  • Weekly Hot Seat Update: June 20, 2015

    We currently have three closer committees and each one is a little bit different. Let’s take a look at them in a little greater detail, and think about what they might look like in the short term and the long term. Tampa Bay Rays — When Jake McGee started the season on the DL, most people thought…

  • Rafael Soriano signs with Cubs; another save for Carson Smith

    June 10, 2015 Miami Marlins — Mike Dunn pitched the 8th inning ahead of AJ Ramos in a one-run game. Ramos couldn’t hold on to the lead, giving up a two-run walkoff bomb. Ramos has pitched well enough since taking over the closer’s role, but Dunn seems to have worked his way back into the late-inning mix,…

  • Pat Venditte makes his major league debut; Fernando Rodney falls again

    June 6, 2015 Seattle Mariners — When Friday’s game stayed scoreless into the ninth, all-star coach Lloyd McClendon turned to the ultimate offensive catalyst — Fernando Rodney, who gave up the go-ahead home run. Apparently enamored with Rodney’s “man muscles,” the manager has steadfastly refused to consider replacing him with Carson Smith, but after this latest failure, we wouldn’t be surprised…