The Closer Report » Boston Red Sox
Painting the Picture for the Future Red Sox Bullpen
If you are a Red Sox fan or even the slightest bit interested in baseball pitching, then you have seen the disaster that is the Red Sox pitching staff. While it’s gotten much better lately, it is still a mess nobody wants to discuss and only a few want try to fix. As an avid Red Sox fan myself I have taken a strong interest it what the Red Sox should do to build … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alfredo Aceves, Boston Red Sox, In-Season Analysis, Mark Melancon
The Latest On The Closer Carousel/Circus: 5.12.2012
This has been without a doubt the worse year on record for major league closers. The amount of closers lost to injury times the number of closer with terrible starts, divided by the number of closers who have just lost the job is a formula even a Sabermetrics wannabee with a degree from MIT couldn’t compute. Since spring training has wrapped up, at least 17 closer jobs have changed hands due to any of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Addison Reed, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Cashner, Boston Red Sox, Brian Fuentes, Bullpen Reports, Carlos Marmol, Casey Janssen, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Closers Rise and Fall, Colorado Rockies, Daniel Bard, Drew Storen, Fernando Rodney, Francisco Cordero, Francisco Rodriguez, Grant Balfour, Heath Bell, Hector Santiago, Henry Rodriguez, Huston Street, In-Season Analysis, Javy Guerra, John Axford, Jordan Walden, Kenley Jansen, LA Dodgers, LAA Angels, Mark Melancon, Matt Thornton, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Oakland A's, Ryan Madson, Santiago Casilla, Sean Marshall, SF Giants, Toronto Blue Jays
Pitchers Who Could Be Closing By September. Part 2
Here is part 2 of my report on pitchers who could be closers by September. Every season closers come and go and it frustrates the heck out of fantasy managers. The list I compiled below are the leading candidates that likely won’t open the season as the closer for his perspective team, but could end the season the closer. These pitchers will get the job either from the current closer getting injured or the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Addison Reed, Andrew Cashner, Boston Red Sox, Brett Myers, Chris Perez, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Danger Zone, Glen Perkins, Houston Astros, Joel Peralta, Kenley Jansen, Kyle Farnsworth, LA Dodgers, Mark Melancon, Matt Capps, Matt Lindstrom, Matt Thornton, Minnesota Twins, Sizzling Setup Reports, Tampa Bay Rays, Vinny Pestano, Wilton Lopez
MLB Off-Season Closer Analysis: Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have had a busy off-season when it comes to their bullpen. With the departure of Jonathan Papelbon to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Red Sox pulled two trades and aquried to excellent closers. The first was Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros. Yesterday the Red Sox completed another trade, acquiring closer Andrew Bailey from the Oakland Athletics. Andrew Bailey is a perfect addition to the Red Sox. When healthy, the former Rookie of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Andrew Bailey, Boston Red Sox, Mark Melancon, Pre-season Analysis
Closers Wanted: MLB Teams On The Hunt
In July and even into August I expect to see several trades involving closers and setup men. Teams are always in need of good relief pitching and start stacking their bullpens for a playoff run. I will give you the list of teams that will be on the nut for back-end relievers who will either become closers or be acquired to set up their current closer. This is critical to pay attention too if it impacts your fantasy baseball … Read entire article »
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Depth Chart Updates, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers
Will Papelbon’s Slider Add To His Fantasy Value?
Back in 2009, Jonathan Papelbon added a new weapon to his arsenal, the slider. It’s one of the more devastating breaking balls a closer can throw and he wanted it. Since that time and even before then, Papelbon was and is a fastball/splitter pitcher. Over the past two seasons, Papelbon has thrown his slider about once every ten pitches. It ranges in speeds from 82 to 85 M.P.H. It will compliment his 94-96 M.P.H … Read entire article »
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Jonathan Papelbon
Boston Red Sox Team Report
The Red Sox have quietly assembled a very good, but risky bullpen. The question now becomes what should the Red Sox do at closer and setup man? For the 2011 season the Red Sox added White Sox closer Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler. They also resigned Hideki Okajima, so the backend of the bullpen (innings 7-9) have 5 very good pitchers to wrap up games. The only issue is, what is best for the Red … Read entire article »
Filed under: Bobby Jenks, Boston Red Sox, Daniel Bard, Jonathan Papelbon
The Closer Report: April 23, 2010
CLOSER NEWS:N/ASAVES:Brian Wilson (3) Wilson finally recorded a save. It was his first save since April 6, and he went out there with a vengeance. Besides a simple single, Wilson struck out the side for his third save of the season. His ERA remains at 0.00. Jonathan Papelbon (4) – Paps had another tough outing. He did get the save, but in the process looked wild walking two batters and giving up a hit. To put a positive spin on the save, he did intentionally walk Wiggington and he struck out Lugo to end the game. That is how expereinced closers do it. Francisco Rodriguez (2) – Recorded his second save in as many days. He is still lacking his trademark sharpness that we haven’t sen in awhile. He needed 22 … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arizona D-Backs, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, LAA Angels, New York Mets, SF Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays
The Closer Report: April 21, 2010
SAVES:Matt Lindstrom (4) – Lindstrom threw a near perfect 12 pitch inning giving up a lone hit. His WHIP (1.14) and ERA (3.86) are still a bit high, but both are coming down. Mariano Rivera (6) – Rivera is absolutely unhittable. He recorded his sixth straight save, but showed a chink in his armor. He gave up a hit and needed 26 pitches to close out the game. His season ERA is still 0.00.Jose Valverde (4) – Valverde made quick work of Angel hitters needing only 10 pitches to get his fourth save. He got one strikeout and lowered his WHIP to 1.00.Joakim Soria (4) – SOria got back on track with his fourth save of the season beating the Blue Jays 4-3. He had a quite 1-2-3 inning and struckout … Read entire article »
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, LAA Angels, New York Yankees, SF Giants, Texas Rangers, Washington Nats
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