2K21 Closer thread

[Moonlight J]

Should have left out the Rays instead. They just don't use a closer.

given they've had a double-digit amount of relievers earn a save in each of the past two seasons, you're right.

10 different relievers in 2019
12 different relievers in 2020

[umjewman]

I think the Giants move to add Jose Alvarez yesterday is a tip to them planning on using McGee as their primary closer this year. Alvarez joins Selman, Peralta, and Garcia as lefties already on the roster and candidates to open the season in the pen.

Does Kapler believe in such antiquated notions like primary closers?

[madducks]

Nationals release Jeremy Jeffress. GM Mike Rizzo stated, “He was released for personnel reasons.”

[madducks]

Closer Monkey has been updated for this year.

http://closermonkey.com/test/2018/03...r-depth-chart/

[onejayhawk]

Closer Monkey has been updated for this year.

http://closermonkey.com/test/2018/03...r-depth-chart/

Finally.

[revo]

Hunter Harvey strained oblique, likely KO'ing him from the closer role for the foreseeable future.

[ThatRogue]

I can't see Jeffress getting in front of Hand and Hudson and maybe not even Harris for saves, so I'd jettison him. Given how vocal the Cubs are about trotting Kimbrel out there, I'd let Wick go, too. I'd absolutely keep Pomeranz - he'll get some saves and that combined with his K rate and ratios make him and easy keep, IMO. I'd be inclined to keep Hudson, too. Floro comes down to opportunity cost - do you want to tie up the pitching slot or not?

Kimbrel seems to be making it hard for the Cubs to stick to that plan. His last two appearances have been brutal...

[chancellor]

Kimbrel seems to be making it hard for the Cubs to stick to that plan. His last two appearances have been brutal...

With Wick still being hurt, I'll be watching Workman and Tepera to see who looks like the CIW. I still think the Cubs will keep trotting Kimbrel out there hoping he straightens out by Opening Day.

[Bene Futuis]

With Wick still being hurt, I'll be watching Workman and Tepera to see who looks like the CIW. I still think the Cubs will keep trotting Kimbrel out there hoping he straightens out by Opening Day.

Any word on how Workman is looking? He was definitely my pre-spring training dark horse.

[harmon]

Free Shane Greene to the Cubs!

[scottw]

To answer 2 different questions posed: No, Kapler has no clue about sending out a closer to just do his job; he simply analyses the numbers and points to a guy. We all saw how well that worked in his years here in Philly.
# 2--Speaking of closers in Philly: Workman was as bad a closer here last year as we've seen in many a year. I was stunned when the Phils got him, thinking, "How could Boston let him go"? Now I know the answer to that one. I wonder, at his age, if he ever comes back from that debacle.

[chancellor]

Any word on how Workman is looking? He was definitely my pre-spring training dark horse.

He got some early praise from Ross, but very little hard data yet.

[madducks]

Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters on Saturday that Daniel Bard will be the team's closer this season.

[joncarlos]

Yates looking pretty solid in camp... at least getting there.

Yates’ velocity was down just a smidge on Saturday, but it shouldn’t be too much of a concern quite yet. Over the last two years, he averaged 93.5 m.p.h. on his four-seam fastball. Against the Phillies, he was sitting around 91 m.p.h. while topping out at 92.8. Those readings should trend up just a bit once he starts appearing in more games in the lead-up to opening day.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/opinion/2021/03/20/kirby-yates-might-not-be-ken-giles-but-the-blue-jays-are-in-good-hands-at-closer.html

Kimbrel has looked kinda terrible in ST, though with Rowan Wick sidelined, I still think he has a really long leash.

Trevor Rosenthal made his debut after a minor groin strain and was still throwing 95-97 so I think even if he's a little behind, he'll be fine.

I still don't have 100% faith in Karinchak getting the job and I've kind of been putting him behind the Rosenthal, Kenley, Yates tier... but I would still probably take him over Kimbrel at this point.

[Gregg]

Kimbrel seems to be making it hard for the Cubs to stick to that plan. His last two appearances have been brutal...

After three horrendous outings this spring, Kimbrel has been much better in his last two: two innings, one hit, no runs, three strikeouts. He’s still sitting at about 95-96 on his fastball and it would help him tremendously if that velocity could go up a tick or two.