Latest news with #closer
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs' World Series Aspirations Hinge on Acquiring a Lockdown Closer at Trade Deadline
Cubs' World Series Aspirations Hinge on Acquiring a Lockdown Closer at Trade Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs are one of the best teams in baseball, with a 49-34 record and a two-game lead in the NL Central. Their high-powered offense ranks third in the league, according to FanGraphs, and is feared throughout the majors. While Chicago's starting pitching rotation could use another marquee arm at the deadline, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd did a tremendous job in the absence of Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele. Now, with Imanaga back, the focus of Chicago's trade deadline plans shifts to the bullpen – primarily the closer role. Advertisement ESPN's Jesse Rodgers recently spoke about Chicago's World Series aspirations and why they may hinge on their aggressiveness to acquire a lockdown closer. 'You knew they were serious about the World Series [in 2016] when they went out and traded for Aroldis Chapman,' Rogers told Lance Brozdowski on the Cubs Weekly Podcast. 'You'll know really how serious the Cubs are in terms of going all the way if they replace Palencia with someone better and more experienced. Because it feels like a little bit of a luxury right now the way Palencia is pitching to go out and get another closer.' Shutting down the ninth inning is a necessity during the playoffs. It is rare for teams to succeed in October with a patchwork bullpen or a closer-by-committee and be successful. It is not impossible, but the odds of winning a World Series increase with a secure closer. Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) smiles before a game between the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Porter Hodge was the Cubs' initial closer, but a stint on the injured list thrust Daniel Palencia into the role. Palencia, 25, has been stellar in 27 appearances, pitching to a 1.86 ERA and converting eight of his nine save opportunities. Advertisement While Palencia and Hodge have done enough to keep the Cubs atop the NL Central standings, adding another elite bullpen arm will only deepen their chances of contending for a World Series. A reunion with Chapman is a possibility, but is not the only option. The Baltimore Orioles will likely be sellers, leading to Felix Bautista potentially being available, and even Nationals' All-Star Kyle Finnegan could be an underrated addition to Chicago's pen. The Cubs currently hold the third-best record in baseball, setting themselves up for a postseason appearance. Yet, if they want to increase their World Series odds and further cement their standing among the MLB's elite, acquiring a premium closer should be on the trade deadline itinerary. Related: Cubs Showing Interest in $67 Million Former Yankees Ace This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
National Post
22-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Blue Jays' Scherzer to start Wednesday, but can Hoffman close effectively?
Jeff Hoffman wasn't good on an afternoon in which a series against an inferior foe ultimately was lost. Article content Article content Following the Jays' 4-2 setback to the Chicago White Sox, manager John Schneider provided the team's starting rotation for a three-game series in Cleveland that begins Tuesday night. Eric Lauer gets the ball in the opener, Kevin Gausman in the series finale. Article content In Wednesday's game, Max Scherzer will usher in his return from a troublesome hand injury, which may or may not hold up. Article content 'That's a huge, huge addition for us,' said Schneider. Article content 'It's Max Scherzer. I'll take that any day of the week.' Article content As for Hoffman, he hasn't been the same closer the team or fans of the Jays first saw early in the season. Article content He has been prone to serving up home runs, and has looked spotty when games have been close. Article content 'It's the roller-coaster ride of a reliever,' said the skipper. Article content According to Schneider, Hoffman is trying to return to his early season form. Article content What's obvious is Hoffman's frustration. Article content 'It happens,' added Schneider. 'We trust the (crap) out of Jeff Hoffman. It's easy to blame him, but he's been on the other side of us winning games. Article content 'It's a tough stretch for him, but he'll come out ahead of it.' Article content What did in Hoffman on Sunday was his inability to put away hitters in two-strike counts. Article content 'He's got three put-away pitches. When they're really good, they're great. When you try to force it a little bit, those pitches tend to be in the zone.' Article content Hoffman did induce a weak come-backer off the bat of Andrew Benintendi. Hoffman couldn't secure the ground ball, however, and it dearly cost the Jays. Article content 'Nine times out of 10, (Hoffman) makes that play,' added Schneider. Article content Prior to Hoffman entering the game, Brendon Little issued a walk. Little eventually was charged with two unearned runs. Article content 'Walks usually come back to hurt you and it did (Sunday),' continued Schneider.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yankees bullpen battle heating up as Boone stays vague on closer
Yankees bullpen battle heating up as Boone stays vague on closer originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Aaron Boone isn't making a bold decision now. Or at least he isn't tipping his hand just yet. With Luke Weaver activated ahead of the Yankees' series opener against the Orioles Friday night, the natural question is whether he'll reclaim his spot as the team's closer. Boone, however, made it clear Friday that no such decision has been made. Advertisement Instead, he told reporters before the game that Weaver will be his closer 'on some nights.' 'We got two elite guys back there," Boone added. Yankees reliever Devin Williams reacts after striking out three in the 10th inning against the Padres at Yankee Stadium.© Brad Penner-Imagn Images That's a different tone than earlier in the season, when Weaver had emerged as the go-to guy in the ninth. The right-hander owns a 1.05 ERA in 25.2 innings and had locked down eight saves before hitting the injured list with a left hip strain on June 3. But while he was sidelined, Devin Williams stepped in — and stepped up. Williams has converted five straight save opportunities since mid-May and has allowed just one earned run over his last 12.1 innings. After a rough start to the year, the right-hander has rediscovered his command and looked every bit the All-Star closer he was in Milwaukee. Advertisement That leaves the Yankees with a 'good' problem to have and plenty for the New York media to speculate about. For his part, Weaver had already put the idea that he would compete against Williams to rest. With both pitchers healthy, the Yankees may opt for a matchup-based approach, at least in the short term. Weaver and Williams have different pitch profiles, and their availability may also factor in, especially with Weaver coming off the injured list after suffering a hamstring issue. So, now it's a bullpen with two closers — and a manager keeping his options open. Or it becomes a daily drama for the New York media. Advertisement With Weaver back and Williams dealing, the formula might change night to night. As long as the last out gets recorded, Boone isn't worried about the label. Related: Who Should Be the Yankees' Closer? Related: Luke Weaver Responds to a Potential Yankees' Closer Controversy This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who Should Be the Yankees' Closer?
Who Should Be the Yankees' Closer? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In his 1979 book, 'The Bronx Zoo,' former Yankees closer Sparky Lyle openly questioned why the team would trade for Goose Gossage prior to the 1978 season, when they already had Lyle as their Cy Young-winning closer. He said having them both would be a headache because neither would get enough work to stay sharp. Plus, the nightly question of who would close would cause ripple effects throughout the bullpen. Advertisement Well, fast forward to 2025 and the Yankees are in a similar quandary. Luke Weaver was their closer during the second half of 2024 and he was excellent in the role. Then, they went out and traded for Devin Williams with the thought that he would be their primary closer in 2025. New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams celebrates after retiring the side against the Mets on May 18, 2025, at Yankee Stadium.© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Now, nobody is confusing Weaver and Williams with Lyle and Gossage from a pedigree standpoint, but the situation is strikingly similar. Early on, Williams struggled; his signature 'Airbender' changeup was not nearly as effective as in years past. So, at the end of April, Weaver regained the closer role while Williams was demoted to setup duties. That worked for a while, but then Weaver hurt his hamstring at the start of June and was placed on the IL, thus thrusting Williams back into the closer's job. Advertisement Since regaining the closer's role, Williams has pitched 5.2 innings, allowing one run, four hits and hitting two batters while striking out eight. But now, Weaver is set to return much sooner than expected, as early as tonight, and Manager Aaron Boone has not revealed who will close games. Boone should look to avoid the same mistake that helped undo Billy Martin's 1978 campaign and instead take a page from Bob Lemon's book when the latter took over for Martin. Go with the guy you traded for. Don't dance back and forth. Keep Williams as the closer and Weaver as the setup man. The only way you don't do that is if their performance dictates a change, or, heaven forbid, another injury takes place. Williams is your guy, just like Gossage was in 1978 and we all know how that turned out. Advertisement Related: Yankees Reliever Jake Cousins Likely Facing Tommy John Surgery Related: Could This Returning Arm Be What Yankees Need to Fix Their Bullpen? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Yankees' Luke Weaver returns: What it means for Devin Williams and the closer role
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees' closer is back. Or is he? The Yankees activated right-handed reliever Luke Weaver (left hamstring strain) from the injured list before the first game of the series against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on Friday afternoon. The team cleared room on the roster for Weaver by demoting lefty Jayvien Sandridge late Thursday. Advertisement Weaver threw a simulated game at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Weaver's activation likely means a return to the closer's role for the 31-year-old, though manager Aaron Boone was noncommittal about the possibility Thursday. Devin Williams has pitched well in the role since Weaver went on the IL on June 3, posting a 1.59 ERA in six appearances with four saves. But Weaver had taken over the job when Williams was struggling at the start of the season, and not only would it likely be an unpopular decision if Boone were to supplant Weaver, it would be removing a player who was successful when the team needed him. While Williams endured early-season struggles, Weaver was dominant, posting a 1.05 ERA in 24 games with eight saves. Regardless of where he slots in the late innings, adding Weaver will be big for the Yankees' bullpen as a whole. Righty Fernando Cruz hasn't been as effective since returning from the injured list on June 4, posting a 6.35 ERA in seven appearances. Jonathan Loáisiga has also struggled some, though the Yankees believe he'll be a major piece of their late-game formula this year. Mark Leiter Jr. has had the most appearances for the Yankees with a 3.60 ERA in 35 games. 'I mean, it's Luke Weaver,' Boone said Thursday. 'But just then the trickle-down effect that that has, obviously, on giving you more hammers at the back end of the game, especially, and slotting guys into better slots. Anytime you add someone like Luke, it just makes the entire thing better, on top of what he brings.' Weaver transformed into a big-time reliever for the Yankees last season, pitching to a 2.89 ERA in 62 games after spending the first nine years of his MLB career as a starter. He also had a 1.76 ERA with four saves in 12 games in the playoffs last year. Despite the return of Weaver, the Yankees likely will be looking to add to their relief unit at the trade deadline next month. Yankees relievers have just the 10th-best ERA in the majors this season at 3.49. Their strikeout rate is strong at 9.56 per nine innings — the fifth-best in baseball. But they have issued lots of walks (3.87 per nine innings, the 24th-best mark in the game). Advertisement Adding Luis Gil (lat strain) from the injured list at some point around the All-Star break will likely bolster the Yankees' bullpen in addition to their rotation. It would likely mean bumping lefty Ryan Yarbrough from the starting rotation, though he's been good as a starter with a 3.83 ERA in eight starts. Yarbrough has lots of relief experience (136 appearances vs. 76 starts), and the Yankees added him just before Opening Day with the thought he would remain in their bullpen.
