July 25, 2015
Seattle Mariners — Over the last two months, Carson Smith has nine saves and Fernando Rodney has two (and two blown saves). After Smith shut down Toronto in the ninth on Friday night, we think it’s time for him to shed his asterisk and be considered the Seattle closer, full stop. Just promise us you won’t tell Lloyd McClendon.
Hierarchy remains: Smith | Rodney | Lowe.
Tampa Bay Rays — Jake McGee earned his fifth save on Friday, in a game where Brad Boxberger did not appear. A McGee save by itself isn’t that unusual, but given the rumors swirling around all three members of the Tampa hierarchy, Friday could have been either an attempt to showcase the lefthander, who boasts 21 straight scoreless appearances, or an early look at life after a Boxberger trade.
Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | McGee | Jepsen.
Philadelphia Phillies — 17 saves in 17 appearances isn’t the only streak Jonathan Papelbon is working on this season; he’s also managed to whine about wanting a trade every single time he has seen a reporter. The latest rumor has him headed inside the division, to Washington.
Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Giles | Gomez.
St. Louis Cardinals — Yet another save delivered to those who heed the Vulture Save Watch, courtesy of Kevin Siegrist. In other news, the Cardinals acquired Steve Cishek from the Marlins. Although Cishek has improved since his return to the majors in June (0.71 ERA, 11 K in 13 appearances), we think his ceiling is the Seth Maness level, solidly behind Trevor Rosenthal, Siegrist, and Jordan Walden, once the latter returns (as early as next week) from his biceps injury.
Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Maness.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rafael Soriano/Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Jason Motte’s blown save on Friday came on his third day of work in four (and fifth out of seven). Hector Rondon has seen an even heavier recent workload.
2. Pat Neshek, Houston Astros — Luke Gregerson hasn’t thrown many pitches (24), but they have come in three straight games.
3. Alexi Ogando/Tommy Layne, Boston Red Sox — If you believe Boston can win two straight games, it’s worth noting that Koji Uehara threw 29 pitches on Friday, and Junichi Tazawa has thrown 36 over the last two days. Ogando is next in line, while Layne is the only non-Uehara pitcher with a save for Boston this year.
4. Fernando Rodney, Seattle Mariners — Smith is Seattle’s closer, but he’s pitched on three of four days, and Rodney had Friday off.
