A new closer every day in Boston

May 7, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s ignoble return to the Boston bullpen lasted for precisely four batters, one of whom tapped him for a game-tying home run. To add injury to insult (and injury), Hanrahan left shortly thereafter with “right forearm tightness.” We believe Junichi Tazawa has a slight edge over Koji Uehara, but either or both could be used in the closer role. Although Craig Breslow (fresh from his own DL stint) is now the third-best healthy reliever in the Red Sox pen, Daniel Bard or Alfredo Aceves could also conceivably join what has become a disturbingly threadbare crew. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Closer, Koji Uehara to Set-up, Craig Breslow to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Tazawa |Uehara |Breslow |Bailey |5/7/13 |Bailey(DL) |Hanrahan(DL)|

 
Cleveland Indians — Vinnie Pestano was placed on the 15-day DL with a sore right elbow. Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Set-up, Bryan Shaw to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Smith |Shaw |C.Perez |5/7/13 |Pestano (DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jamey Wright, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney threw 37 pitches in last night’s game and Joel Peralta threw for two innings.
2. Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland blew a save yesterday and has pitched in two straight games; Kelvin Herrera pitched two innings after Holland left the game.

Another game, another Red Sox closer down

May 7, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s ignoble return to the Boston bullpen lasted for precisely four batters, one of whom tapped him for a game-tying home run. To add injury to insult (and injury), Hanrahan left shortly thereafter with “right forearm tightness.” We believe Junichi Tazawa has a slight edge over Koji Uehara, but either or both could be used in the closer role. Although Craig Breslow (fresh from his own DL stint) is now the third-best healthy reliever in the Red Sox pen, Daniel Bard or Alfredo Aceves could also conceivably join what has become a disturbingly threadbare crew. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Closer, Koji Uehara to Set-up, Craig Breslow to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Tazawa |Uehara |Breslow |Bailey |5/7/13 |Bailey(DL) |Hanrahan(DL)|

 

Aceves continues to fall for Boston, League and Pestano pick up their first saves of the year.

September 2, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves was used for 3 innings of mop-up duty last night, and seems to have fallen farther on Bobby Valentine’s depth chart. While the Red Sox bullpen is volatile, Aceves has been relegated to a less important role.  Hierarchy change: Vicente Padilla to Set-up, Alfredo Aceves to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Padilla |Aceves |Bailey |9/2/12

 

Cleveland Indians – Vinny Pestano pitched for 1 out in the 8th, and stayed on to close the game. Chris Perez was unavailable because he just had a child, and should resume closing duties when he comes back.  No Hierarchy Changes.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |Smith |C.Perez |9/2/12

 

Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed pitched the 8th inning with the White Sox trailing 4-0, but he had not pitched since August 25. He is in no danger of losing his job, and was just getting some work in between save opportunities.  No Hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Myers |Thornton |Reed |9/2/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – As predicted in yesterday’s vulture save watch, Brandon League picked up the save while Belisario was recovering from a 26 pitch outing the night before. No Hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Belisario |League |Guerrier |Jansen |9/2/12 |Jansen(INJ) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH

1. Heath Bell, Miami Marlins – Steve Cisek has pitched in 2 straght, including a 29 pitch outing yesterday that resulted in a blown save.
2.  Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in 2 straight, throwing a total of 32 pitches. 
3. Mitch Boggs, Edward Mujica, St. Louis Cardinals – Jason Motte has pitched in 2 straight, throwing 32 pitches total, Boggs would normally close in his stead, but he has also pitched the last 2, opening the door for a possible super-vulture save from Mujica. 
4. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Romo got the save last night, but the committee continues, and Lopez could steal a save any day.

Ronald Belisario to close; Kenley Jansen’s season in jeopardy

August 30, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves returns from a team-imposed suspension on Tuesday.  While Bobby Valentine said on Monday that he wasn’t sure what role the righty would assume upon returning, Aceves’s usage yesterday suggests he’s definitely no longer the team’s closer.  With the Red Sox down by 7, Aceves was summoned for two innings of mop-up relief.  He’d still likely assume the closer role again if Andrew Bailey struggles, but he’s no longer the man in Boston.  Hierarchy change: Alfredo Aceves to Set-up, Vicente Padilla to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Aceves |Padilla |Bailey |8/30/12

 
Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook got the last out of the 8th inning in a close game on Wednesday, then stayed on for the 9th after the A’s tacked on a few runs.  Cook has been pitching quite well as of late, but unfortunately for him, so has Grant Balfour, who will probably hold on to the role unless he starts to struggle.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Doolittle |Cook |8/30/12

 
San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez picked up his 5th save of the season on Wednesday, inducing a double play ground out from the only hitter he faced.  The Giants are still in full platoon mode.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/30/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Ronald Belisario picked up the save on Wednesday, throwing 1.2 innings with the Dodgers up by two runs.  After the game, the Dodgers revealed that Kenley Jansen is battling a heart condition that kept him out for a month last year.  Seemingly out of nowhere, his season is in jeopardy.  Belisario should close, but behind him, there are few sure things.  Deadline acquisition Brandon League is the best bet to move in to the set-up role.  Hierarchy change: Ronald Belisario to Closer, Brandon League to Set-up, Jamey Wright to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Belisario |League |Wright |Jansen |8/30/12 |Jansen(INJ) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.
2. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – With the Giants in full committee mode, Sergio Romo or Javier Lopez could get a save on any night.

Andrew Bailey takes over as closer with Alfredo Aceves suspended

August 26, 2012

Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle pitched the 8th inning ahead of Grant Balfour on Saturday, striking out 2 in a perfect inning for his 9th hold of the year.  The A’s have gone back and forth between Doolittle and Jerry Blevins over the past month or so, using whoever is pitching better as their go-to lefty.  Lately, that’s been Doolittle, who over his last 7 innings pitched has allowed 0 runs while striking out 13.  Hierarchy change: Sean Doolittle to 2nd in line, replacing Jerry Blevins.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Doolittle |Cook |8/26/12

 
Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has been suspended for three games for conduct detrimental to the team.  At the moment, it is unclear whether he was suspended for his expletive-laden media comment after his last blown save, or due to an explosive meeting he had with Bobby Valentine after being bypassed for the save yesterday.  Either way, this might be it for the mercurial righty, as Bailey, barring any slip-ups, should take the job and run with it from here.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Bailey to Closer, Vicente Padilla to Set-up, Craig Breslow to 2nd in line, Alfredo Aceves suspended.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Padilla |Breslow |Bailey |8/25/12 |Aceves(SUSP)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in three straight games.
2. Craig Breslow, Boston Red Sox – Both Andrew Bailey and Vicente Padilla have pitched in three straight.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.
4. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – With the Giants in full committee mode, Sergio Romo or Javier Lopez could get a save on any night.