The Closer Report » Philadelphia
MLB Off-Season Closer Analysis: Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies made one of the biggest off-season acquisitions, signing Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year deal worth $50 million. That shored up their bullpen, which is facing the losses of Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson. While Lidge can use a change of scenery, losing Madson will be felt at some point in the season. Going forward, Papelbon will be the closer for the Phillies with setup man Antonio Bastardo backing him up. Papelbon was one of the most effective closers … Read entire article »
Filed under: Jonathan Papelbon, Philadelphia, 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
Phillies lose Contreras to injury; 15-Day DL
By Mark Paul, Yahoo! Contributor Network from Yahoo! Sports The Philadelphia Phillies have won five games in a row, but they were dealt a major blow when Jose Contreras(notes) was injured. A right flexor injury means that Contreras will be placed on the disabled list. It is not clear how long he will be out. With Brad Lidge(notes) injured at least until June, the already-weak bullpen could be in trouble. As a Phillies fan, I think the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Jose Contreras, Philadelphia
Phils closer Lidge out 3-6 weeks with shoulder woe
From Yahoo! Sports PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Phillies closer Brad Lidge(notes) is expected to miss three to six weeks after an MRI exam Tuesday showed he has a strained right shoulder. Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the reliever will not need surgery to fix the problem, deemed a posterior rotator cuff strain. Lidge will start the season on the disabled list. The NL East champions open at home Friday against Houston. “It’s an issue obviously when you lose your … Read entire article »
Filed under: Brad Lidge, Philadelphia
Brad Lidge To Open The Season On The DL
According to the AP: (AP)—The Phillies shut down closer Brad Lidge on Friday with shoulder soreness and say he is likely to begin the season on the disabled list. The 34-year-old right-hander made his first appearance in nearly two weeks Thursday. He started the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins with two outs, but was pulled after giving up a home run and back-to-back walks. This could be good news from a fantasy perspective. No self-respecting owner wants … Read entire article »
Filed under: Brad Lidge, Philadelphia
2011 Fantasy Baseball: Top 10 Closers To Avoid Drafting
As it is every year, closers come and go throughout the season. Whether it is performance based or injury, they will be replaced. Here are 10 closers that despite their ADP, career numbers, or Closer Report Draft Kit ranking, I’d avoid at all costs. 1. Ryan Franklin, STL- Ok, wasn’t his 15 minutes up two years ago? Give credit where it’s do to the steroid survivor that he’s lasted this long. He will LIKELY open as the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Brad Lidge, Brandon Lyon, David Aardsma, Houston Astros, J.J. Putz, Jason Motte, Joe Nathan, Joel Peralta, Jon Rauch, Kevin Gregg, Kyle Farnsworth, Mariano Rivera, Matt Capps, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Octavio Dotel, Philadelphia, Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays
Brad Lidge back on DL, Contreras to close
Not a shocker, but the Phillies placed Brad Lidge on the DL again with a bum elbow. In his place Jose Contreras is now the closer for the Phillies and not Danys Baez, who everyone expected. Contreras has good enough stuff to close, but the 38-year old pitcher (yea, sure and I’m 22) might have problems staying healthy and coming out constantly and being effective. It will be fun to see. Listen to Todd “The True Guru” Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Philadelphia
Top 10 Closer Stories Of Spring Training 2010
So far it’s been an active spring for closers and injuries. Several jobs are still undecided and some top closers are out and will not be ready for the start of the season. Here are the top ten closer stories this spring. 1. Twins Closer – At this point the Twins are claiming they will go with a closer by committee by using anyone of their late inning relievers like Matt Guerrier, Jon Rauch, Jesse Crain, etc… I’m not buying it. Gardenhire has never been that kind of manager. Going back to Eddie Guardado, he has preferred to go to one guy in the ninth inning and stick with him. Knowing that, I’d consider the first two weeks an interviewing process for Jon Rauch and Matt Guerrier. Jesse Crain is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia, Washington Nats
Status of Closer Roles: Phillies, Astros, Diamondbacks
Some closer roles still not setTodd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com 1/11/2010. It’s still quite awhile from the opening of spring training and there are still a few closer jobs that managers are undecided on. Let’s start with Brad Lidge. Lidge had off-season surgery on his ailing strike zone (I mean elbow). Reports are that he may not be ready by the start of the season. If that happens, this dramatically increases the value of setup man Ryan Madison. The Phillies bullpen is a recovery room of arms as spring training looms. In the off-season, Lidge and Romero had elbow surgery, while newly acquired Denny Baez is recovering from shoulder surgery. This is great news for Madson Maniacs. If he has a solid spring and Lidge doesn’t, Madson should be the opening day closer … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arizona D-Backs, Houston Astros, Philadelphia
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