Closer Monkey

Tag: Seth Maness

  • Junichi Tazawa could be on the way out in Boston

    August 29, 2015 Boston Red Sox — Junichi Tazawa is not making things comfortable in Boston. Up three in the tenth, Tazawa gave up a single, induced a double play, then walked one guy after another after another after another. Craig Breslow (the last guy left in the bullpen) bailed him out and earned a save for his…

  • MLB Trade Deadline Day: Joakim Soria traded. Could a Craig Kimbrel or Aroldis Chapman trade be next?

    July 31, 2015 Detroit Tigers — After closer Joakim Soria was traded to the Pirates Thursday, the Detroit bullpen was left in disarray. We originally made an educated guess that Bruce Rondon would get the first shot for the Tigers, based mostly on his advanced stats, dissected in our alert sent right after the trade, and the…

  • Aaron Sanchez returns to bullpen for Blue Jays

    July 26, 2015 Toronto Blue Jays — Aaron Sanchez was activated from the DL on Saturday and immediately inserted into an important spot for the Blue Jays’ bullpen.  He pitched a scoreless 8th in a tie game and ended up getting the win after the Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 9th.  Roberto Osuna pitched a scoreless…

  • Jake McGee could be closing soon; Jonathan Papelbon to Washington?

    July 25, 2015 Seattle Mariners — Over the last two months, Carson Smith has nine saves and Fernando Rodney has two (and two blown saves). After Smith shut down Toronto in the ninth on Friday night, we think it’s time for him to shed his asterisk and be considered the Seattle closer, full stop. Just promise…

  • Detroit is Joba-less and John Axford returns

    July 4, 2015 Detroit Tigers – Just nine days ago, Joba Chamberlain had an ERA under 2, but after it doubled thanks to a few three-run outings, the Tigers shockingly cut the former Yankee phenom, designating him (and Tom Gorzelanny) for assignment. Bruce Rondon and Al Alburquerque will slide up a few spots in the team’s late-innings hierarchy…