December 14
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Uncertain of his abilities and uneasy over what it might cost to keep him, the Pirates allowed Matt Capps to become a free agent. Late Saturday night, the Pirates opted to non-tender a contract to Capps, their closer the past two-plus seasons. That made the 26-year-old right-hander a free agent. "I'm surprised," Capps said Sunday morning from his offseason home in Florida. "It's a weird feeling. I've played my whole career with the Pirates, and I appreciate the opportunities they've given me. But I guess it's time to move on." What made the Pirates' decision on Capps a bit surprising is that he is in just his second year of arbitration eligibility. Whichever team signs him will control his ..."
December 13
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Pirates on Saturday did not tender a contract offer to closer Matt Capps by the midnight deadline, making him a free agent. Left-hander Phil Dumatrait also was not tendered. "We attempted to reach agreement with both Matt and Phil prior to the deadline," general manager Neal Huntington said. "Each player preferred to explore free agency. We have not closed any doors, but will begin immediately to explore other opportunities to improve our bullpen." The Pirates did tender an offer to lefty Zach Duke, who is eligible for arbitration. They also signed shortstop Ronny Cedeno to a one-year, $1.125 contract, avoiding arbitration. Capps made $2.3 million this past season, when he set a ..."
July 13
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Phillies closer Brad Lidge, who has endured some tough times this season, has empathy for Pirates closer Matt Capps, who blew a four-run lead in Saturday's 8-7 loss. "When we won, I was so fired up for our guys, but you definitely feel for a guy the next day," Lidge said. "You hope that it doesn't affect his confidence because he's a good closer. It was just one of those nights. I feel for him a little bit, but I don't want to say I feel bad for him, because we (closers) should be tough enough to bounce back. I know the feeling. I've blown a four-run lead before. I think he'll be fine." Even though Capps clearly was struggling - he gave up five runs in one-third of an inning and took the ..."
May 17
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Matt Capps did not want the Pirates to pad their three-run lead Saturday night against the Colorado Rockies. A four-run edge means it's not a save situation, which would have kept Capps in the bullpen instead of putting him on the field. After coughing up a lead and losing the night before, Capps wanted a quick shot at redemption. He got it. The Pirates stranded a runner at second base in the eighth inning, and the bullpen door swung open. Capps nailed down the ninth, preserving the Pirates' 7-4 victory on a soggy, chilly night. "It felt good to get back on the saddle," Capps said. "I had to regroup and kind of find myself again. It showed up this afternoon, and it's a new day." Capps ..."
May 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The great hunt for Matt Capps' flaw -- whether it is physical, mechanical or mental -- began Friday night, a few minutes after the Colorado Rockies swiped a 3-1 victory from the Pirates. The Rockies rocked Capps for three runs in the ninth inning. The Pirates' closer yielded five hits, including Brad Hawpe's two-run homer to center field. The blowout, Capps' second in eight save chances, will cost him some extra time in the video room and bullpen with pitching coach Joe Kerrigan. There could be a small bugaboo in Capps' delivery. Perhaps it's a lingering effect from elbow soreness earlier this month. "I'll have to go look at the video," Capps said. "I feel fine. Nothing hurts." Ian Stewart ..."