Joel Peralta nudges his way to the front in Los Angeles

March 26, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers — Chris Hatcher and his Wilsonesque beard have endured some rough outings lately, pushing his spring ERA over 10. Although Hatcher is a virtual lock to make the team because he’s out of minor league options, Joel Peralta may have edged in front of him in the race to lead what appears to be a confirmed committee situation that could also include Sergio Santos, Juan Nicasio, and lefties J.P. Howell and Paco Rodriguez. As expected, Brandon League will join Kenley Jansen on the DL to start the season, and some in LA are looking Rafael Soriano’s way.

Updated hierarchy: Peralta* | Hatcher | Santos.
*closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — A struggling Ryan Cook was sent to the minors on Tuesday to fix his mechanics. Eric O’Flaherty and Dan Otero will back up Tyler Clippard during Sean Doolittle’s absence, and young R.J. Alvarez is another intriguing option. Doolittle, meanwhile, is staying busy teaching his coaches about social media.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | O’Flaherty | Otero.

Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara, who turns 40 next week, might miss Opening Day with a hamstring strain. Edward Mujica would likely take the closer’s role until Uehara can get healthy, with Alexi Ogando moving ahead of Junichi Tazawa as a backup option.

Updated hierarchy: Uehara | Mujica | Ogando.

Tampa Bay Rays — Grant Balfour made his first appearance of the spring on Monday and expects to be ready for Opening Day. All three of Tampa’s current top relievers allowed a run in the game. Jake McGee is throwing curveballs again and should be back to closing in late April or early May.

Hierarchy remains: Balfour | Boxberger | Jepsen.

Toronto Blue Jays — As expected, Brett Cecil was officially named Toronto’s closer; Aaron Loup will set him up, with Steve Delabar and Miguel Castro behind them.

Hierarchy remains: Cecil | Loup | Delabar.

Colorado Rockies — Walt Weiss told reporters that Adam Ottavino will be the club’s top vulture save option when 42-year-old closer LaTroy Hawkins is fatigued, or watching Matlock reruns.

Updated hierarchy: Hawkins | Ottavino | Axford.

Cincinnati Reds — The eighth inning is wide open for the Reds, according to manager Bryan Price, who named no fewer than five possibilities for set-up work. We’ll leave things the way they are until the situation clears up, but one intriguing option Price didn’t mention is lefty Tony Cingrani, who may find a welcoming home in the bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Diaz | LeCure.

Chris Hatcher emerging as frontrunner for Dodgers’ closer gig

March 19, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers – A new name has emerged in the most unsettled bullpen in the big leagues. Chris Hatcher, a former catcher (just like Kenley Jansen!) has been turning heads in camp, and some members of the media have anointed him the frontrunner for the closer job. Don Mattingly has remained quiet about bullpen roles, and we still think Joel Peralta is a very strong possibility (and his most recent outing was a good one), but beat writers tend to know best, so we’ll move him to the top of the committee for now. Another candidate to watch is former Blue Jays closer Sergio Santos. Santos wasn’t even considered a lock to make the team as recently as a few weeks ago, but a strong spring has put him in the conversation. Meanwhile, Brandon League is taking some time off due to shoulder soreness.

Updated hierarchy: *Hatcher | Peralta | Santos.
*closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Thanks to an injury to Marcus Stroman, signs are pointing to a spot in the rotation for promising youngster Aaron Sanchez. That basically clears Brett Cecil’s path to the Opening Day closer gig.

Updated hierarchy: Cecil | Loup | Delabar.

New York Yankees – Though Joe Girardi said the closer role would be determined by a spring training competition between Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller, most of the speculation was that Betances would be the guy. (Which is why we ranked him so highly on our preseason closer rankings.) We still don’t have a definitive answer, but nothing drastic has changed; Betances is still the frontrunner and likely closer for the Bombers.

Hierarchy remains: Betances | Miller | Carpenter.

Oakland A’s – Tyler Clippard has let his once-surefire gig as interim closer slip a bit, as a few tough preseason outings have brought Ryan Cook — and Eric O’Flaherty and Dan Otero — into the conversation. Sean Doolittle will start his throwing program soon, so this could just be a short-term problem for Oakland, and to be clear, we still think Clippard is the best healthy reliever to own. But the situation warrants watching in the coming weeks.

Hierarchy remains: Clippard | Cook | O’Flaherty.

Tampa Bay Rays – In the race to close games in Tampa’s sans-McGee bullpen, Grant Balfour had a few distinct advantages. He has the most experience in the role, he had expressed an interest in it, and most importantly, Kevin Cash had mentioned him as a possibility. But Balfour has missed the last few weeks of spring training following the death of his father, while Brad Boxberger has come out of the gate with three scoreless innings. With his strong start, we think Boxberger has pulled even with Balfour, and suspect the Opening Day closer will be largely determined by which player looks better over the next couple weeks.

Hierarchy remains: Balfour | Boxberger | Jepsen.

2015 Top 15 Middle Relievers

Our top 15 middle relievers are listed below.  These players are ranked on the likelihood that they will get saves this season, not necessarily on how good they are.  To cite an example, Kelvin Herrera is a great reliever who is unlikely to get any save chances since he’s stuck behind studs Greg Holland and Wade Davis.  So even though Herrera is a much better pitcher than a number of pitchers list below, he is not in our rankings.

1. Ken Giles, Philadelphia Phillies – Ken Giles has electric stuff and is coming off a rookie season in which he finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting as a middle reliever.  Giles can hit triple-digits with his fastball and struck out an incredible 64 batters in just 45.2 innings last season.  The Phillies would like to trade closer Jonathan Papelbon and if they do, Giles could step in and immediately be a top 10 fantasy closer.

2. Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays – Aaron Sanchez spent some time as closer for the Blue Jays at the end of 2014 and could be an option to do it again in 2015.  However, he is also competing for a spot in the starting rotation.  He will be somebody to track up until the start of the season because if he ends up in the Blue Jays bullpen, he should have a good chance to close for them.

3. Tyler Clippard, Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle will start the season on the DL and Clippard should get the first shot at closing.  Clippard has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past four season, and saved 32 games in 2012 for the Nationals so he’s proven he can handle the job.

4. Grant Balfour, Tampa Bay Rays – Balfour really struggled last season in his first year with the Rays but it was only two years ago that he saved 38 games for A’s.  Balfour could start the season as closer with Jake McGee injured, and if he can get off to a good start, he could keep the job and be the guy that the Rays thought they were getting when they signed him last off-season.

5. Joakim Soria, Detroit Tigers – Soria is slotted to start the season as the set-up man for closer Joe Nathan.  However, the 40-year-old Nathan is coming off a miserable season and with Soria’s closing experience, including 17 saves last season before being traded, he could take over as closer if Nathan doesn’t bounce back this year.

6. Joel Peralta, Los Angeles Dodgers – Closer Kenley Jansen is expected to miss at least the first month of the season and Joel Peralta should get the chance to close while he is out.  Peralta made his spring debut yesterday and his shoulder felt good.  Peralta is unlikely to keep the job when Jansen comes back but he could still rack up a solid number of saves, especially if Jansen has any setbacks.

7. Brad Ziegler, Arizona Diamondbacks – Manager Chip Hale has said that Ziegler would close if Addison Reed needs a day off or was to get injured.  Reed has been battling shoulder soreness, and although he is expected to be ready for the start of the season, Ziegler could get save chances if Reed’s shoulder acts up at all during the regular season.

8. Bobby Parnell, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell expects to be the Mets’ closer when he returns from injury.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a good timeframe on when Parnell will be ready as he still doesn’t even know when he will pitch for the first time this spring.  The longer Parnell is out, the better chance Jenrry Mejia has to solidify himself as the Mets’ closer.  We still expect Parnell to get a chance to save some games for the Mets this season so he is somebody to keep an eye on if you need saves.

9. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees – The Yankees brought in Andrew Miller this season and he is expected to be a big part of the back-end of their bullpen.  He is battling Dellin Betances for the role of closer, and even if he doesn’t win the job, he could still see some save chances based on match-ups.

10. Brad Boxberger, Tampa Bay Rays – Boxberger, the second member of the Rays bullpen to make the list, had a fantastic season in 2014.  He struck out a Rays’ team record 104 batters as a reliever last year.  He has a shot at closing to start the season, and could thrive in the role, but we think he is behind Balfour at this point.

11. John Axford, Colorado Rockies – LaTroy Hawkins is 42 years old and even though he had a good season last year, you never know what to expect from a pitcher at that age.  Axford seems likely to get the first shot at closing if something happens to Hawkins.

12. Jonathan Broxton, Milwaukee Brewers – Broxton was in line to close for the Brewers this year until they re-signed Francisco Rodriguez.  If anything happens to K-Rod, Broxton should be able to step in and handle the job.

13. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Wade Davis is one of the best relievers in baseball, and if he wasn’t behind a top-3 closer in Greg Holland, he would be much higher on this list.  There is little doubt that Wade Davis could handle the job, but unfortunately it will take an injury to Greg Holland for him to get a chance.

14. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Kevin Quackenbush picked up 6 saves at the end of last year while Benoit was hurt.  Benoit is back as closer for 2015 but manager Bud Black has said that other relievers could see save chances, so Quackenbush could be a source of saves for teams in 2015.

15. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League is another option to close for the Dodgers while Jansen is out.  Manager Don Mattingly has said that League has been working really hard.  If League can turn that hard work into good results, he could be a cheap source of saves in 2015.

 

 

2015 NL West preview

March 8, 2015

Arizona Diamondbacks – It’s safe to say that the closer spot was not a pillar of strength for 64-98, last-place Arizona Diamondbacks last season. The young and talented Addison Reed got worse in his switch from the American League to the National League, netting 32 saves but finishing an up-and-down season with a 4.25 ERA, and he’s recently come down with a bout of shoulder soreness that will keep him from throwing until mid-March. At this point, he looks fine to start the season, though righties Brad Ziegler and Evan Marshall or lefty Oliver Perez could step in if necessary. Holds seekers can also keep an eye on David Hernandez, who should be ready by May 1 after missing all of last year due to Tommy John surgery.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Reed | Ziegler | Perez.
Holds candidates: Ziegler, Perez.

Colorado Rockies – Yes, the Rockies still employ a closer that began his major league career (1995!) before some of our faithful Closer Monkey readers were born! I’m looking at YOU, LaTroy Hawkins. At 42, Hawkins will be the oldest active player in the big leagues this year, which will be his 21st and final season in Major League Baseball. Don’t let his age fool you. Hawkins had a solid year in Denver last season, collecting 23 saves and a 3.31 ERA. Still, keep an eye on the other late-inning relievers, including heir apparent John Axford, and last year’s up-and-down set-up duo, Adam Ottavino and Rex Brothers.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Hawkins | Axford | Ottavino.
Holds candidates: Axford, Ottavino.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Andrew Friedman took his big-thinking mindset away from the small-market Tampa area and to sunny southern California, and when he arrived, he took a wrecking ball to a Dodgers team that won two straight division titles. Most important to the Closer Monkey is the injury to the electric Kenley Jansen, who will miss the first month of the season, with no clear replacement behind him. Brian Wilson is gone, leaving two recent acquisitions — Joel Peralta and Dustin McGowan — to duke it out with Brandon League for save chances. We think it’ll either be Peralta or League to start the season, with McGowan getting a look if they both struggle in the spring.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: | Peralta | League | McGowan.
Holds candidates: League, JP Howell.

San Diego Padres – Another NL West team in transition was the San Diego Padres, who added Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and James Shields in a busy offseason. A much stronger lineup should present the team with more hold and save opportunities — assuming they actually have more leads — so consider a mid-round investment in closer Joaquin Benoit, who was excellent last year in his first season in the National League (1.41 ERA, 11 saves). Holds-chasers should take a look at Kevin Quackenbush, who could also inherit the closer role if Benoit struggles. The Padres also added Shawn Kelley from the Yankees and Brandon Maurer, a former starter with a big arm, from the Mariners.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Benoit | Quackenbush | Vincent.
Holds candidates: Quackenbush, Vincent.

San Francisco Giants – The defending World Series champions got a scare during the early going of spring training after closer Santiago Casilla was hit in the left shin by a batted ball. Reports indicate Casilla should be OK, but he will need to shake off a bruised shin and should be good to go on Opening Day. Behind Casilla is setup man Sergio Romo, who is dealing with shoulder soreness, of course. Manager Bruce Bochy says Romo should be fine. Romo, when healthy, and Jeremy Affeldt will be the most likely bullpen arms to pick up holds.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Casilla | Romo | Affeldt.
Holds candidates: Romo, Affeldt.

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Aaron Sanchez complicating things for Casey Janssen owners

September 4, 2014

Toronto Blue Jays — Aaron Sanchez’s future is as a front-line starter, but like Adam Wainwright in 2006, he’s building confidence in the bullpen down the stretch. The Jays have made it clear that Casey Janssen is still the team’s official closer, but Janssen, a free agent next season, hasn’t taken kindly to the competition. John Gibbons explained that he went with Sanchez for Wednesday’s save because he was already warm. Janssen owners approaching the playoffs should avail themselves of a less volatile option if possible.

Hierarchy remains: Janssen | Sanchez | Cecil.

Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers — The six men who make up the hierarchies of the Dodgers and Nationals combined on Wednesday for three blown saves, eight runs (seven earned), and a whopping 2.47 WHIP. They also make an average of just over $7 million a year, which works out to about $7,000 per pitch. Feel free this morning to revel, just a little, in their failure.

Hierarchy remains: Soriano | Clippard | Storen.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Wilson | League.

Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel picked up his 42nd save of the year in bright gold cleats that will be auctioned off to benefit a childhood cancer charity.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Walden | Carpenter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — Quack . . . quack . . . quack . . .