Steve Cishek gets shelled; Matt Thornton rising

September 19, 2012

Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek got knocked around on Tuesday night, eventually getting yanked after allowing three runs and only recording one out.  Cishek’s ERA is now 9.95 for the month of August, pushing his season-long ERA up to nearly 3, which is probably where it should’ve been anyway, given his crummy WHIP (1.34).  After Tuesday’s outing, he’ll be looking over his shoulder at Heath Bell, who the Marlins would probably like to see win the job back going into next season.  Steve Cishek to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Bell |Dunn |Bell |9/19/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – Jonathan Broxton picked up his third NL save in Aroldis Chapman’s absence on Tuesday.  Chapman is throwing a bullpen session today and could resume closing shortly, but Broxton is worth holding on to in case the Reds shut the hard-throwing lefty down until the playoffs.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |9/19/12

 
Chicago White Sox – Matt Thornton pitched a clean 8th inning, then stayed on to face the first hitter of the 9th before giving way to Addison Reed, who recorded the final two outs.  Thornton and Brett Myers are jockeying for the 8th inning role, but as a lefty, Thornton is probably more likely to pick up a random save here and there, given Robin Ventura’s recent tendency to play match-ups all the way through the 9th.  Hierarchy change: Matt Thornton to Set-up, Brett Myers to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Myers |Reed |9/19/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Heath Bell, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek got knocked around last night, and has pitched in four of the last five.  He might get the day off today.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman’s fatigued arm means Jonathan Broxton should see the majority of Cincinnati save chances over the next week or so.
3. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Brandon League sharing closer duties in Los Angeles

September 9, 2012

Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League on Saturday picked up his second save since joining the Dodgers, pitching a clean 9th inning.  League, who altered his delivery after joining Los Angeles, has been pitching spectacularly lately, and is sharing opportunities with Ronald Belisario until Kenley Jansen returns in about two weeks.  No hierarchy change.

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

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brett Myers, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has racked up a lot of pitches thrown in the last few days, having pitched twice in a row and in three of the last four.
2. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League is sharing save chances with Ronald Belisario.
3. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Astros pick Francisco Cordero over Wilton Lopez to close following Myers trade

July 22, 2012

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox acquired Brett Myers from the Astros on Saturday, but Addison Reed will keep his job for the time being, said White Sox GM Kenny Williams.  Myers will pitch in a set-up role and will get save chances on nights when Reed is unavailable.  Also on Saturday, Jesse Crain returned from the disabled list.  He, too, will factor in the late innings for the White Sox.  Hierarchy change: Brett Myers to Set-up, Jesse Crain to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Myers |Crain |Reed |7/22/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Aaron Crow pitched the 8th inning with the Royals up by 2 runs, then stayed on for the 9th after the Royals stretched their lead.  Despite earning his second save of the year, he’s still behind Greg Holland on the Royals depth chart.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |7/22/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Brad Lincoln was summoned in the 8th inning with the Pirates up by 4 runs and several runners on base.  He got out of the jam, then stayed on for the 9th to record his first save of the season.  Lincoln won’t often get a save chance, but with Juan Cruz recently hitting the DL, he will play an increasingly important role in the Pirates bullpen.  Hierarchy change: Brad Lincoln to 2nd in line, replacing Juan Cruz.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Lincoln |Hanrahan |7/22/12

 
Oakland A’s – With Ryan Cook getting the night off after pitching three games in a row, the A’s went to Sean Doolittle, who pitched a clean 9th inning for his first save.  The hard-throwing lefty now has 29 strikeouts in 19.1 innings and has surpassed Jerry Blevins on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Sean Doolittle to 2nd in line, replacing Jerry Blevins.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Doolittle |Cook |7/22/12

 
Houston Astros – The Astros have traded Brett Myers to the Chicago White Sox.  Saturday evening, Astros GM Brad Mills told an MLB.com reporter that Francisco Cordero will close. Wilton Lopez will continue on in his set-up role. Hierarchy change: Francisco Cordero to Closer, Wilton Lopez to Set-up, Wesley Wright to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Cordero |Lopez |Wright |Lopez |7/21/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ronald Belisario, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in the last two games, and four of the past five.
2. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Both Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett have pitched in the last two games, and four of the last five.
3. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn have each picked up one save.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.
4. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Brett Myers traded, Francisco Cordero will close while Wilton Lopez sets up

July 21, 2012

Houston Astros – The Astros have traded Brett Myers to the Chicago White Sox.  Saturday evening, Astros GM Brad Mills told an MLB.com reporter that Francisco Cordero will close. Wilton Lopez will continue on in his set-up role. Hierarchy change: Francisco Cordero to Closer, Wilton Lopez to Set-up, Wesley Wright to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Cordero |Lopez |Wright |Lopez |7/21/12

Trade Deadline Buy/Sell: National League Closers

July 12, 2012

SPECIAL UPDATE: TRADE DEADLINE BUY/SELL (PART 1 OF 2)

Glossary
BUY+: This player has a large chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
BUY: This player has a small chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
SELL: This player has a small chance of losing his closer job by the trade deadline.
SELL+: This player has a large chance of  losing his closer job by the trade deadline.

TLDR Version
BUY+: Brandon Lyon, Francisco Rodriguez, Luke Gregerson.
BUY: Jose Veras, David Hernandez, Dale Thayer.
SELL: Frank Francisco, John Axford, Jason Motte, J.J. Putz, Huston Street.
SELL+: Brett Myers.

Atlanta Braves – Atlanta is still in the playoff hunt and could look to add an arm down the stretch.  This is unlikely to mean much to their bullpen hierarchy, however, as no one they could possibly acquire could threaten Craig Kimbrel.  BUY/SELL: None. 
Miami Marlins – The Marlins need bullpen help, but are several games under .500 and are unlikely to make any moves either way.  They have former closer Juan Oviedo (Leo Nunez) returning from suspension soon, and will hope to rally with the staff they have.  BUY/SELL: None. 
New York Mets – The Mets may look to add an arm in the bullpen– Grant Balfour’s name has been bandied about– and that’s actually bad news for their current crop of relievers.  Frank Francisco, due to return from the DL after the All Star Break, has been far from solid, and any new acquisition could push him for the closer’s job.  BUY: None.  SELL: Frank Francisco. 
Philadelphia Phillies – Despite the Phillies’ struggles, they’re unlikely to sell off any valuable bullpen assets.  Jonathan Papelbon has a long term contract, and they value Antonio Bastardo too highly to move him.  BUY/SELL: None.
Washington Nationals – Even without Drew Storen– who is expected back in a few weeks– the first place Nats have one of the strongest bullpens in the NL.  They’re unlikely to make any moves that would affect their hierarchy.  BUY/SELL: None.

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs are selling anything and everything, but they may not have many takers for the top arms in their bullpen.  Carlos Marmol has a big contract and is far too volatile to generate any interest.  Meanwhile, Shawn Camp, James Russell and Rafael Dolis are unlikely to affect the 9th inning role if they do end up landing anywhere else.  BUY/SELL: None.
Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman, despite some recent road bumps, is locked in to the closer role for the remainder of the year.  Sean Marshall has also been rock solid in the 8th inning role.  If the Reds look to make a trade, it won’t affect the bullpen.  BUY/SELL: None.
Houston Astros – The Astros are looking to move Brett Myers, whose has a $10 million option that will kick in if he finishes 45 games.  This makes him an interesting trade acquisition, as cash-strapped teams may be reluctant to move him into the closer role if they acquire him.  Unfortunately, this also hurts his value, as it further decreases the chance that he’ll close wherever he lands.  Brandon Lyon would inherit the job if Myers is dealt, which seems likely at this point.  BUY+: Brandon Lyon.  SELL+: Brett Myers.
Milwaukee Brewers – Brewers GM Doug Melvin said he would like to see how the team performs in the weeks after the break before deciding to sell.  But if they do, they have several players in the bullpen that could interest contenders.  John Axford has blown a handful of saves this year, and like most closers on bottom feeders, could see his value drop if he is dealt and moved into a set-up role.  Francisco Rodriguez and Jose Veras have also been mentioned in trade talks, though their values are likely to rise if they (or Axford) is moved.  BUY+: Francisco Rodriguez.  BUY: Jose Veras.  SELL: John Axford.
Pittsburgh Pirates – The first-place Pirates are buyers, but most media reports have them seeking a bat, not an arm.  Even if they were to tack on in the bullpen, an acquisition would probably inherit the 7th or 8th inning role, as Joel Hanrahan has been solid all year.  BUY/SELL: None.
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals need some bullpen help, as Jason Motte has been shaky for much of the season.  The St. Louis Dispatch reported on Tuesday that Huston Street could be an option, and Street expressed the desire to close if he moves elsewhere.  Such a deal could hurt Motte’s value.  BUY: None.  SELL: Jason Motte.

Arizona Diamondbacks – They haven’t performed as well as expected, but the Diamondbacks are only four games out of first.  But as of right now, they’re sellers, reportedly listening to offers to Justin Upton.  J.J. Putz is an interesting trade target, and though his name hasn’t surfaced in trade talks yet, but he’s in the last year of his contract (the D’Backs have a club option) and could generate interest from contenders.  However, this might be more likely to hurt his value than help it, as he could land with a team that puts him in a set-up role.  David Hernandez would inherit the role if he gets traded.  BUY: David Hernandez.  SELL: J.J. Putz.
Colorado Rockies – ESPN’s Buster Olney has reported that the Rockies would have to be overwhelmed in a deal for either Rafael Betancourt or Matt Belisle, so there isn’t much chance that either will move before the trade deadline.  At 32-51, the Rockies are obviously not buyers, either.  BUY/SELL: None.
Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers’ bullpen is solid, with Kenley Jansen still racking up strikeouts at an absurd rate.  They’re unlikely to be factors in the bullpen market at the deadline.  BUY/SELL: None.
San Diego Padres – Huston Street is a great bet to move somewhere else before the All Star Break, and a trade would either cause his value to rise slightly (if he goes to a contender and continues to close out games) or plummet (if he becomes a set-up man).  But a definite beneficiary is Luke Gregerson– or possibly Dale Thayer– who could see saves once Street lands elsewhere.  BUY+: Luke Gregerson.  BUY: Dale Thayer.  SELL: Huston Street. 
San Francisco Giants – The Giants proved last year that they’re willing to make a splash at the deadline, but they’re unlikely to make any moves, bullpen-wise, as they have two solid top-tier relievers in Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo.  BUY/SELL: None.