Grant Balfour on the verge of losing closer gig

June 9, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays – Grant Balfour gave up five more runs on Sunday and now has a 6.46 ERA. Joe Maddon wouldn’t say if Balfour had finally lost the job that he should’ve lost a long time ago, but it seems silly to keep running him out there. Until we see evidence that Balfour has lost the job, all we can do is speculate, but the three candidates to take over the job right now are Joel Peralta, Jake McGee, and Juan Carlos Oviedo. Oviedo (the former Leo Nunez) had a better chance at the job before allowing a run in three consecutive outings last week. McGee clearly has the best stuff, averaging more than a strikeout per inning and currently rocking a 1.59 ERA, but just three days ago, he was pitching in the 6th inning. That leaves the veteran Peralta, who despite a rough start to the season, has continued to pitch the 8th inning and has managed to hold the opposition scoreless in 13 of his last 14 outings. Stressing that we don’t have any hints from inside the clubhouse about what happens next, we still think Peralta has a narrow lead in the race to replace Balfour.

Hierarchy remains: Balfour | Peralta | McGee.

Arizona Diamondbacks – With Addison Reed battling a tired arm, Brad Ziegler picked up a shaky save in his place. Ziegler might make for a speculative add, as tired arms are occasionally the sign of something worse.

Hierarchy remains: Reed | Ziegler | Perez.

Baltimore Orioles – Tommy Hunter returned from the DL on Sunday. He’s got a ways to go before he reclaims the closer role, as both Zach Britton and Darren O’Day are sporting sub-1.00 ERAs. But Hunter’s past experience does slot him in 3rd place behind his two otherworldly colleagues. If they both struggle, he could get the job back.

Updated hierarchy: Britton | O’Day | Hunter.

Philadelphia Phillies – Mike Adams was placed on the DL with a sore rotator cuff. Justin De Fratus, who is working on a 9-inning scoreless streak, moves up to take his place, but keep an eye on Ken Giles, who was just brought up to take Adams’s place. Giles has electric stuff, and could one day be the Philadelphia closer. With their season in the tank, the Phillies might give him a lengthy audition in the bigs.

Updated hierarchy: Papelbon | Bastardo | De Fratus.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in three straight.
2. Oliver Perez/Evan Marshall, Arizona Diamondbacks – Addison Reed is battling a tired arm and may need another day off, while Brad Ziegler has pitched in five of the last six games.
3. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in back to back games and three of four.

Craig Kimbrel out with sore shoulder; Phillies get an arm back

April 15, 2015

Atlanta Braves – David Carpenter got the save in a wild 9-6 win at Philadelphia – unexpected to everyone except Fredi Gonzalez, who held closer Craig Kimbrel out due to right shoulder soreness that crept up over the weekend. Kimbrel plans to rest for a few days, which means Carpenter is the best bet for saves in the interim. Jordan Walden, who has prior experience as a closer, will also be in the mix. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelDavid CarpenterJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel4/3/14

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Philadelphia Phillies – With both Jonathan Papelbon and Antonio Bastardo unavailable, Jacob Diekman blew the save last night in a wild game against Atlanta that no team seemed to want to win. Before Diekman’s implosion, B.J. Rosenberg made history in the eighth inning when he became the first pitcher in major league history to face three batters and allow three home runs. The Phillies did get some good bullpen news yesterday, however, as Mike Adams is set to be activated off the DL today. He’ll likely slide into the seventh inning for the time being.  Hierarchy change:  Mike Adams to 2nd in line, replacing B.J. Rosenberg.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoMike Adams
Jonathan Papelbon4/15/14

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Oakland A’s –After the Angels’ Ernesto Frieri blew a 3-2 lead in the ninth, Luke Gregerson earned his second save of the season in the bottom half of the inning. Oakland’s committee continues to shine, with Gregerson likely getting the call thanks to the pair of righties due up in the ninth.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKSean DoolittleLuke GregersonRyan CookRyan Cook4/13/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, Oakland A’s – Luke Gregerson picked up his second save of the season on Monday. We’ve still got Doolittle as our listed closer, but until the A’s decide to give Jim Johnson another chance, either of these two could get the call on any given night.
2. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Our preference for saves in Chicago is still Hector Rondon, but with no official word yet from Rick Renteria, Pedro Strop could be the 9th inning option.
3. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – Nearly any Astros reliever could get a 9th inning chance at this point.

Your Astros closer of the day: Josh Fields

August 6, 2013

Houston Astros — Houston’s bullpen situation isn’t getting any clearer. Monday night, Bo Porter played matchups in the ninth, using Wesley Wright to start the eighth, then summoning Josh Fields to face Mike Napoli with two outs. Fields, who was selected from Boston this offseason in the Rule 5 draft, struck out Napoli, then stuck around for the ninth; all he did there was strike out the side for his first career save. Although some on Twitter are ready to anoint him the new closer, we suspect this is just what an actual closer-by-committee approach looks like — note that Fields has a 6.00+ ERA, has allowed baserunners in six straight appearances, and pitched the eighth down a run on Sunday. Four strikeouts in four at-bats is quite a statement, though, and if Porter wants to return to a more conventional ninth-inning approach, Fields has a strong case. Hierarchy change: Josh Fields to Set-up, Chia-Jen Lo to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose CisneroJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoJose Cisnero8/6/13

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Philadelphia Phillies — Antonio Bastardo was handed a 50-game suspension on Monday for his connection to performance-enhancing drugs. Justin De Fratus has been effective since mid-July, not allowing a run in his last six appearances — and the Phils will need him, with Mike Adams out until 2014 after shoulder surgery. Hierarchy change: Justin De Fratus to Set-up, replacing Antonio Bastardo.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonJustin De FratusJacob DiekmanJonathan Papelbon8/6/13

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Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen got the night off, so Paco Rodriguez nailed down a strong two-inning vulture save in a tight game. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezRonald BelisarioKenley Jansen8/6/13

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Atlanta Braves — Jordan Walden did indeed grab a vulture save Monday with Craig Kimbrel unavailable. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelJordan WaldenLuis AvilanCraig Kimbrel8/6/13

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Los Angeles Angels — Long-injured Ryan Madson got only as far as one single-A rehab appearance this year; it appears that this will be his second straight season out of the majors after the Angels released him on Monday. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/6/13

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Seattle Mariners — A triceps injury will shut down Stephen Pryor for the remainder of the year. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom Wilhelmsen8/6/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez and Joe Smith have each pitched in three straight games.

Grab Bastardo while you can; Casilla struggles in high-A rehab

July 10, 2013

Philadelphia Phillies — As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Antonio Bastardo earned his second save of the year on Tuesday, allowing Jonathan Papelbon some much-needed rest. With Mike Adams now on the long-term disabled list and Papelbon possibly moving to Detroit or Boston, Bastardo’s value could soon increase dramatically. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoJustin De FratusJonathan Papelbon7/10/13
Mike Adams (DL)

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San Francisco Giants — Jeremy Affeldt pitched very poorly in Tuesday’s eighth inning, breaking the game open for an eventual Mets victory. Meanwhile, Santiago Casilla’s fourth minor league rehab appearance consisted of three walks in four batters faced. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoJeremy AffeldtGeorge KontosSergio Romo7/10/13
Santiago Casilla (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cody Allen/Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez has pitched on four straight days and Joe Smith and Cody Allen have each appeared in three straight games. Allen has thrown the fewest pitches, but if the Tribe have a two- or three-run lead going into the ninth on Wednesday, Terry Francona might take a chance on rehabilitating Vinnie Pestano.

Heath Bell blows save, Mike Adams is back on the DL

June 23, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell blew another save last night, and he has given up a homerun in his last five appearances.  When Kirk Gibson was asked about Bell continuing to close he just said that he would have to think about it.  JJ Putz is currently on a rehab assignment and could return soon.  Heath Bell is already on the hot seat and it just keeps getting hotter with each homerun he gives up.   No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
ARIHeath BellDavid HernandezBrad ZieglerJJ Putz6/23/13
JJ Putz (DL)

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Philadelphia Phillies – Mike Adams is back on the DL.  Antonio Bastardo pitched the 8th inning ahead of Papelbon last night and should continue to be used in that set-up role.  Hierarchy change: Mike Adams to DL, Antonio Bastardo to Set-up, Justin De Fratus to 2nd in line.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoJustin De FratusJonathan Papelbon6/23/13
Mike Adams (DL)

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Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson was given the night off after pitching three days in a row and Francisco Rodriguez picked up his 300th save last night.  K-Rod has been pitching well but since manager Ron Roenicke reiterated after the game on Thursday that Henderson is the closer it looks like K-Rod will only see save opps when Henderson is unavailable for the time being.  No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
MILJim HendersonFrancisco RodriguezJohn AxfordJim Henderson6/23/13

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Seattle Mariners – Yoervis Medina picked up the win last night night while working 2.1 scoreless innings.  He got the last out of the 7th inning and then pitched the 8th inning of a tie game.  The Mariners took the lead in the bottom of the 8th and Medina stayed on to finish the game.  Oliver Perez still has the best numbers in the Mariners bullpen but Medina showed last night that he is also capable of preserving a 9th inning lead.   Hierarchy change: Yoervis Medina to Set-up, Tom Wilhelmsen to 2nd in line.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
SEAOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom WilhelmsenTom Wilhelmsen6/23/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians – Vinnie Pestano has pitched in two straight including a 34 pitch outing yesterday.
2. Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has pitched in three straight.
3. David Hernandez, Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell blew the save last night and Gibson could turn to Hernandez for the save today.