Closing Time

[dongjohnson]

Bailey is only an emergency option, since Boston can barely beat a fat woman in a starvation contest...

[dmvincent]

First update of the off-season.

CIN- Broxton taking over as Chapman moves to the rotation.
MIL- Axford settled down at the end of the season, the job is currently his to lose.
NYY- Rivera re-signed, job is his. Soriano is a free agent right now.
CHC- Cubs just signed Fujikawa, he's likely the new closer based on his spectacular numbers in Japan and Marmol's inconsistency.
SF- Brian Wilson is now a free agent and Romo is their closer.
LAD- League is the new closer, Jansen and Belisario will be the setup guys.
LAA- Madson likely the new closer, expect Frieri and Downs to set him up.
SD- Street is healthy, has the job back. If they decide to trade him, Gregerson would be next in line.
WAS- Despite a poor showing in the playoffs, Storen is the closer.
OAK- Balfour has the job locked up.
DET- Bruce Rondon is currently the front-runner, but the Tigers could sign someone. Coke could get a chance as well, but I wouldn't be comfortable handing that guy a lead regularly.
BOS- Bailey is the closer, now that he's healthy again.

[Axeman33]

So any thoughts on Sergio Santos role now with the Jays? Does he regain his closer status next year or does Casey Janssen retain the closer role?

[dmvincent]

So any thoughts on Sergio Santos role now with the Jays? Does he regain his closer status next year or does Casey Janssen retain the closer role?

Janssen is the closer, Santos will likely be the setup man.

Its not clear if Oliver will be back, but those two should bridge the gap to Janssen.

[spitball]

First update of the off-season.

CIN- Broxton taking over as Chapman moves to the rotation.
MIL- Axford settled down at the end of the season, the job is currently his to lose.
NYY- Rivera re-signed, job is his. Soriano is a free agent right now.
CHC- Cubs just signed Fujikawa, he's likely the new closer based on his spectacular numbers in Japan and Marmol's inconsistency.
SF- Brian Wilson is now a free agent and Romo is their closer.
LAD- League is the new closer, Jansen and Belisario will be the setup guys.
LAA- Madson likely the new closer, expect Frieri and Downs to set him up.
SD- Street is healthy, has the job back. If they decide to trade him, Gregerson would be next in line.
WAS- Despite a poor showing in the playoffs, Storen is the closer.
OAK- Balfour has the job locked up.
DET- Bruce Rondon is currently the front-runner, but the Tigers could sign someone. Coke could get a chance as well, but I wouldn't be comfortable handing that guy a lead regularly.
BOS- Bailey is the closer, now that he's healthy again.

i think at least six of those bullpens will be in flux;

a) Bailey will likely find his way back to the d.l. I like Uehara as his cuff, though keep track of Tazawa - great peripherals last season.

b) would not surprise me if detroit signed soriano. even if they don't, i am concerned that rondon walks too many batters. they may go first to benoit.

c) Beane will continue to tinker. balfour is a good pitcher, but was extremely fortunate last season ( .201 babip ). he may begin the season as closer but i don't think he will keep the job.

d) madson is questionable to start the season. i think frieri will have the job early. if madson struggles upon his return ( common for tj ), frieri may keep it. among pitchers with over 60 innings in 2012, frieri's k-rate ranked behind kimbrel, chapman, and jansen. that's it.

e) league is a good pitcher, but jansen is better, and improving. league has lost his job as closer within the first two months of the season in each of 2011 and 2012.

f) i love watching romo pitch. unquestionably, he has the talent to close. 62% sliders...he is going to tear up that elbow. have a back up plan if he is your closer.

further, axford has a long history of fighting the strike zone. i think he will struggle again at some point in 2013. tread carefully.

[dmvincent]

With Hanrahan moving to Boston, he will likely battle it out with Andrew Bailey for the closer job. Hanrahan is probably the favourite right now, but expect his numbers to take a hit in the AL East.

Jason Grilli is likely Pittsburgh's new closer.

[fastdogs]

Hanrahan moves up to the # 4-6 spot in closer rankings for me; looks like another topsy-turvey year for closers coming. Most of the top 10 are either old or have competition

[spitball]

With Hanrahan moving to Boston, he will likely battle it out with Andrew Bailey for the closer job. Hanrahan is probably the favourite right now, but expect his numbers to take a hit in the AL East.

Jason Grilli is likely Pittsburgh's new closer.

both hanrahan and grilli have been announced as closers. i don't think either will finish the year in that role. hanrahan had big trouble controlling the strike zone 2H, 2012. walk rate way up. pirates may have been selling high.

[dmvincent]

both hanrahan and grilli have been announced as closers. i don't think either will finish the year in that role. hanrahan had big trouble controlling the strike zone 2H, 2012. walk rate way up. pirates may have been selling high.

Great point, I agree with you there. Some of his outings were hard to watch last year.

The chart has been updated, check the first page to see it.

[spitball]

Great point, I agree with you there. Some of his outings were hard to watch last year.

The chart has been updated, check the first page to see it.

i think the twins declined the capps option. i look for perkins to keep that job, with some pressure fom burton.

[dmvincent]

i think the twins declined the capps option. i look for perkins to keep that job, with some pressure fom burton.

Fixed, thanks.

[dmvincent]

A few updates to pass along here.

-Grant Balfour is out for four to six weeks due to knee surgery. He may still h healthy when the season starts, but if he's not Ryan Cook will take his place for the time being.

-The Cubs are not using Kyuji Fujikawa as their closer just yet, as manager Dale Sveum told reporters that Marmol is still the guy and Fujikawa will be the setup man.

-Its unclear who will be the closer for Detroit, Bruce Rondon, Phil Coke and Brayan Villareal are just a few of the guys in the mix.


The closer chart has been updated, check the first page of the thread for details.

[dmvincent]

Aroldis Chapman is the closer for Cincinnati despite another attempt to stretch him out.

[dmvincent]

Jason Motte will miss some time due to an elbow issue and Mitchell Boggs will likely open the season as the Cardinals closer. Pick him up now if you can.

[spitball]

boggs should be fine in the short term. if he is already taken in your league, rosenthal is also worth rostering.