A lot of people were sure the Cubs were going to do the right thing, and make Kyle Farnsworth their closer. Today they did the other thing and traded for a proven closer, Antonio Alfonseca, a man perhaps most famous for having six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.
Alfonseca is not the dominating sort and he is nursing a bad back, but he does bring to the Cubs another arm to help them get from their starters to the end of the game. No doubt Alfonseca’s role will be similar to the one he’s had on the Marlins and his value doesn’t change much.
Braden Looper’s value does change. He is the team’s likely closer from here on. After a few years trying to find himself, he seems to have done just that. If you can acquire him at auction for a discount, because he’s untested, you might do alright. Or you might get burned.