Houston’s committee is a real thing; Jose Veras struggles

April 7, 2014

Chicago Cubs – Rick Renteria might be saying he’s not worried about Jose Veras, but we’re just not sure that we believe him.  Yesterday, Veras was summoned in a non-save situation and could only get two outs before being bailed out by Pedro Strop.  So far on the year, the Cubs’ closer has allowed 3 ERs in 1.2 innings while walking 6 and hitting a batter.  Veras appears to have some time to turn this around, but a few more bad outings and the Cubs may have to look to Strop, who has yet to allow a run in 3.1 innings so far.  Jose Veras to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCJose VerasPedro StropHector RondonPedro Strop4/7/14

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Cincinnati Reds – Manny Parra pitched the 8th inning for the Reds in a 1-run game on Sunday, and then, with two lefties due up in the 9th, stayed on and picked up his first career save.  With Jonathan Broxton due to be activated as early as tomorrow, Parra probably won’t be getting many more opportunities, but the lefty is off to a fine start this season, having logged 4.2 scoreless innings.  Hierarchy change: Manny Parra to 2nd in line, replacing Logan Ondrusek.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJ.J. HooverSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/7/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Jonathan Broxton (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

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Houston Astros – So, unfortunately, it looks like the Astros are serious about this committee thing.  On Sunday, Chad Qualls was called upon to put out an Anthony Bass fire, and retired the final two hitters for his first save of the year.  Of the three relievers that Bo Porter tapped to share the stopper role in Houston before the season started, it’s actually Matt Albers who has been the best — he’s thrown 4.2 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts and 0 walks.  But so far, Qualls and Josh Fields are the ones with one save apiece.  We still like Fields the best of these three, as he’s been used only twice, and both times was given the keys to the 9th inning.  But get used to seeing Qualls and Albers in the Vulture Save Watch indefinitely.  Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to Set-up, Matt Albers to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChad QuallsMatt AlbersJosh Fields4/7/14
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Los Angeles Dodgers – J.P. Howell picked up his first hold of the year on Sunday.  Should something happen to Kenley Jansen, we don’t think the Howell would be tapped for the 9th inning ahead of Chris Perez, but the lefty has been a key cog in the Los Angeles bullpen thus far.  Three of his four appearances have come in the 8th inning ahead of Jansen.  Hierarchy change: J.P. Howell to 2nd in line, replacing Brandon League.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenChris PerezJ.P. HowellKenley Jansen4/7/14
Brian Wilson (DL)

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New York Mets – Bobby Parnell will have Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2014 season.  As previously mentioned, Jose Valverde will close for the foreseeable future, while Kyle Farnsworth is the best bet to step in if Valverde falters.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMJose ValverdeKyle FarnsworthGonzalez GermenBobby Parnell4/7/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in back to back games and in four of the last five.
2. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Due to recent usage, listed closer Josh Fields is probably the best bet for any Astros save chance today, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.

Jonathan Broxton starting the season on the DL

March 21, 2014

Cincinnati Reds — Jonathan Broxton will pitch again today, but manager Bryan Price announced this morning that Broxton will also start the season on the disabled list, removing all obstacles between J.J. Hoover and the ninth inning — although Price won’t anoint a specific closer. The manager’s comments suggest that Broxton will have the inside track at the job if his DL stint is as short as expected. With Sean Marshall also banged up to start the year and Alfredo Simon moving to the starting rotation, Logan Ondrusek will see some high-leverage action, with Manny Parra called on to face lefties. Hierarchy change: J.J. Hoover to Closer, Sam LeCure to Set-Up, Logan Ondrusek to 2nd in line, Jonathan Broxton injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJ.J. HooverSam LeCureLogan OndrusekAroldis Chapman3/21/14
Aroldis Chapman [DL]Jonathan Broxton [DL]Sean Marshall [DL]

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Greg Holland to close in KC; deadline moves affect hierarchies for Reds, Cardinals

August 1, 2012

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds acquired Royals closer Jonathan Broxton on Tuesday.  Aroldis Chapman will remain the closer, while Broxton will share the 8th inning role with Sean Marshall.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to 2nd in line, replacing Logan Ondrusek.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Broxton |Madson |8/1/12

 
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals acquired Edward Mujica from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.  Mujica will likely pitch the 7th inning for the Cardinals, which is a role they’ve been trying to fill all season.  Hierarchy change: Edward Mujica to 2nd in line, replacing Victor Marte.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Marte |Motte |8/1/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs was placed on the DL prior to Tuesday’s game.  With a 4-run lead, Kevin Jepsen got out of a jam in the 7th inning before giving way to Jason Isringhausen for the 8th.  Ernesto Frieri pitched the 9th in a non-save situation.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to Set-up, Jason Isringhausen to 2nd in line, Scott Downs to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Jepsen |Isringhausen|Walden |8/1/12 |Downs(DL) |

 
Boston Red Sox – Franklin Morales got a 1-out save in the 6th inning on Tuesday, retiring a hitter before the tarp came out.  The game was never resumed, and Morales was awarded one of the more bogus saves of the season.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Padilla |Miller |Bailey |8/1/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
San Francisco Giants – After pitching three of the last four games, including a blown save on Monday, Santiago Casilla was given the night off.  In a 3-run game, Jeremy Affeldt pitched the last two innings for his second save of the year.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |8/1/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Kansas City Royals – The Royals have traded closer Jonathan Broxton to the Cincinnati Reds, where he will serve as a set-up man.  Greg Holland will inherit the closer job in Kansas City, said Royals manager Ned Yost, though Aaron Crow will be nipping at Holland’s heels if he struggles.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Closer, Aaron Crow to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Crow |Herrera |Holland |7/31/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. 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.

Javier Lopez gets a save, Ernesto Frieri continues to dominate

June 2, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Starter Madison Bumgarner pitched into the 9th but after a couple guys got on Santiago Casilla came on to finish it out.  Casilla gave up a 3 run homerun to the first batter he faced and gave up 2 more hits while only getting one out, also hurting his knee in the process– the Giants have yet to announce how severe the injury is, though initially it didn’t appear serious.  Javier Lopez came on with a lefty due up and got the last two outs for the save.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF  |Casilla |Romo |Hensley |Wilson |6/2/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Cincinnati Reds – Logan Ondrusek pitched the 8th setting up Aroldis Chapman for the save.  Ondrusek continues to have a solid season for the Reds and got the save the last time Chapman was unavailable.   Hierarchy change: Logan Ondrusek to 2nd in line, replacing Jose Arredondo.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Ondrusek |Madson |6/2/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs pitched the 8th and still has not given up a run for the Angels.  However Ernesto Frieri came on for the save in the 9th and has yet to give up a hit in 13 innings since coming over to the Angels.  Downs may still see some save opportunities based on match-ups but Frieri should see the majority of save opportunities going forward.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Walden |Walden |6/2/12 |Hawkins(DL) |

 
New York Yankees – David Robertson is still a few weeks away from returning but the Yankees have already said that Rafael Soriano will continue to close even after Robertson comes back.  Robertson will likely go back to his 8th inning duties once he is healthy.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to Set-up (DL).

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Logan |Wade |Robertson |6/2/12 |Robertson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon came on for a 5 out save yesterday.  Manager Charlie Manuel had said earlier in the week that he would not use Papelbon for more than a 3 out save until September so he may want to give him a night off after last night.
2. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Although Tyler Clippard will most likely get the call if there is a save opportunity on Saturday there is always a chance that Sean Burnett could get the chance if the match-ups are right.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Antonio Bastardo returns to set-up role for Phillies
 
 
May 25, 2012
Philadelphia Phillies – Antonio Bastardo pitched the 8th inning on Thursday, and has reclaimed his role as the Phillies set-up man after some struggles early in the season.  Hierarchy change: Antonio Bastardo to Set-up, Chad Qualls to 2nd in line. 
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Bastardo |Qualls |Papelbon |5/25/12
 
Chicago White Sox – Jesse Crain (1.59 ERA, 16 Ks in 11.1 IPs) logged his 5th consecutive scoreless outing since returning from the DL, pitching ahead of Matt Thornton and Addison Reed in the White Sox victory on Thursday.  Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to 2nd in line, replacing Nate Jones.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Crain |Reed |5/25/12
 
Cincinnati Reds – With Aroldis Chapman and Jose Arredondo unavailable, the Reds played match-ups in the late-innings on Thursday.  Sean Marshall pitched the 8th, and Logan Ondrusek pitched the 9th for his second save of the year.  No hierarchy change.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Arredondo |Madson |5/25/12
 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard/Craig Stammen, Washington Nationals – A true favorite has yet to emerge in the Nationals’ closer-by-committee.  Sean Burnett is having the best season (0.71 ERA) but Tyler Clippard or Craig Stammen could snag a save on any night.
2. Nick Hagadone, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano have both pitched in three consecutive games.