Valverde and Marmol, no strangers to the hot seat

April 24, 2013

Detroit Tigers – After a short stint in the minors, Jose Valverde has been called up to the big leagues and will close starting today.  Joaquin Benoit will return to his familiar 8th inning role. Three innings of class-A ball might have been enough to wow Jim Leyland, but in our book, Valverde starts out on the Hot Seat. Hierarchy change: Jose Valverde to Closer, Joaquin Benoit to Set-up, Phil Coke to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Rondon |4/24/13

 
Los Angeles Angels — With Kevin Jepsen on the disabled list with a strained triceps, Scott Downs has been pitching the eighth inning in front of Ernesto Frieri. Downs blew a save last night, the result of an error, but Dane De La Rosa earned the win with two perfect innings of work.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to DL, Scott Downs to Set-Up, Dane De La Rosa to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |De La Rosa |Frieri |4/24/13 |Madson(INJ) |Jepsen (DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs — With a runner on second and lefty slugger Joey Votto at the plate with one out in a tight ninth inning, Dale Sveum inexplicably passed over James Russell and put his faith in Votto’s 15 at bats against . . . Carlos Marmol. “Those numbers don’t lie,” Sveum later explained, incorrectly. Marmol gave up a single, the Reds tied the game, and (as predicted, somehow) Kevin Gregg picked up the vulture save. When will the sample size of Sveum’s bullpen mismanagement grow too large to ignore? Carlos Marmol to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Russell |Camp |Fujikawa |4/24/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

 
New York Mets – In both of Bobby Parnell’s saves this year, Scott Rice proved a competent 8th inning bridge. After Brandon Lyon’s debacle in the 7th inning of last night’s loss, we believe Rice will hold on to that position.  Hierarchy change: Scott Rice to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rice |Lyon |Parnell |4/24/13 |Francis(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Camp/James Russell, Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol has had two straight long outings and Kevin Gregg remains Kevin Gregg.
2. Sean Burnett, Los Angeles Angels — The top three Angel relievers have each pitched in three straight games, leaving the lefty as the most trustworthy option.

Santiago Casilla out as closer in San Francisco, Jeremy Affeldt to lead committee

August 8, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Jeremy Affeldt just picked up his 3rd save of the season and is a good bet to continue getting save chances for the Giants.  Bruce Bochy said that the acquisition of Jose Mijares allowed him to move Affeldt into a full-fledged committee with Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez.  Casilla will not be part of the mix, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.  Romo is still being held out of back-to-back action for the most part as he recovers from several long-term injuries and Lopez is more of a LOOGY type who will be situational at best.  That leaves Affeldt, who has been steady and solid for the Giants all season.  Hierarchy change: Jeremy Affeldt to Closer, Sergio Romo to Set-up, Javier Lopez to 2nd in line. 

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

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson picked up his first big league save on Tuesday night, pitching a 1-2-3 inning.  John Axford had thrown 29 pitches the night before, but the outing for Henderson was also well-deserved– the 29-year-old rookie now has a 1.50 ERA.  Axford is still the best bet to emerge from the Brewers’ closer-by-committee, but Tuesday’s outing is a precursor for a more regular high-leverage role for Henderson.  Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Set-up, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Rodriguez |Axford |8/8/12

 
Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has been rock solid of late, and has gotten all but one of the save chances for the Marlins since the demotion of Heath Bell.  Bell, however, has also pitched well recently, and was used to finish off the 8th inning ahead of Cishek on Tuesday.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Set-up, Mike Dunn to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Bell |Dunn |Bell |8/8/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched two nights in a row, throwing a total of pitches, and has pitched in five of the last six.
2. Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez blew his second consecutive save on Tuesday, and has now thrown 61 pitches over the past three days.  His job is not in jeopardy yet, but he could get a day off to clear his head.
3. Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres – Both Huston Street and Luke Gregerson have pitched in three straight, and in four of the last five.
4. 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.

Drew Storen returning to form, picks up save in Tyler Clippard’s absence

August 6, 2012

Washington Nationals – As expected, Tyler Clippard had the day off on Sunday, but it was Drew Storen who got the save chance in his place, while Sean Burnett pitched the 8th.  Burnett has been excellent all season, but the Nats may be trying to use Storen similarly to how the Rangers are using Alexi Ogando– having him get tough outs whenever necessary and fill in for the closer on occasion, while leaving their 8th inning role consistent.  As a result, Storen is probably now the next-best bet for saves in Washington.  Hierarchy change: Drew Storen to Set-up, Sean Burnett to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Storen |Burnett |Storen |8/6/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched two nights in a row and three of the last four, throwing 69 pitches in the process.
2. Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland pitched two innings last night, throwing 46 pitches.
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.

Bobby Parnell likely to earn a few more save chances; Alexi Ogando rising

August 5, 2012

Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook on Saturday blew his second save in a row and his fourth in his last six chances.  He’s now got 7 blown saves on the year, which leads the league, and could be in danger of losing his job to former closer Grant Balfour.  On the other end of the bullpen, Pat Neshek, called up two days ago, has not allowed a hit in 3 innings while striking out 4, and earned his first hold of the season last night.  Hierarchy change: Pat Neshek to 2nd in line, replacing Sean Doolittle.  Ryan Cook to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Neshek |Cook |8/5/12

 
Texas Rangers – A little over a week ago, reports emerged that the Rangers were trying to stretch Alexi Ogando out, and they seemed validated when Ogando was used for 2.2 innings nine days ago.  But since then, he’s gone back to pitching 1 inning at a time, including last night, when he picked up his second save in a row (Joe Nathan needed a second day off after two marathon outings on Thursday and Friday).  While Mike Adams will stick as the 8th inning guy regardless, Ogando appears to be the man the Rangers will use when Nathan is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Alexi Ogando to Set-up, Mike Adams to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Ogando |Adams |Nathan |8/5/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays – Darren Oliver picked up an 11th inning save on Saturday.  Casey Janssen had already pitched earlier in the night.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Oliver |Lyon |Santos |8/5/12

 
Houston Astros – The Astros placed Francisco Cordero on the DL earlier this weekend, and last night, Fernando Rodriguez pitched the 7th inning ahead of Wesley Wright and Wilton Lopez.  Lopez earned his first save.  Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodriguez to 2nd in line, Francisco Cordero to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Lopez |Wright |Rodriguez |Lopez |8/5/12

 
Minnesota Twins – Jared Burton picked up his second save in as many days on Saturday.  Glen Perkins had pitched the 8th inning in a game that had been tied at the time.  The Twins are continuing to use Perkins and Burton in a platoon– Perkins now has 6 saves and Burton has 5– though Perkins still has a slight edge due to his durability and strikeout rate.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Perkins |Burton |Burnett |Perkins |8/5/12 |Capps(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bobby Parnell, New York Mets – Frank Francisco earned his first save Saturday since coming off the DL.  But his ability to pitch on back-to-back days is in question, and the Mets said that Bobby Parnell will get any save opps when Francisco can’t go.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two consecutive games.  He’s only pitched three in a row once all season, so Broxton will likely get the save chance today.
3. Grant Balfour, Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook has pitched in three straight.
4. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched in three straight.
5. 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.

Santiago Casilla’s struggles continue; Charlie Furbush hits the DL

July 19, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla continues to struggle, allowing two runs in the 10th inning last night before being bailed out by the Giants’ offense the next inning.  He’s now blown 5 of his last 8 saves and remains firmly on the Hot Seat, as the Giants are reportedly testing the trade market for relievers.  “We need him whether we make an adjustment or not,” Bruce Bochy told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I can’t answer that now. But there comes a time with every player when you have to change it up.”  Despite the demands from fans, it’s still unlikely that Sergio Romo becomes a full-time closer this year, as the Giants don’t want him to pitch too frequently for fear he re-aggravates an injury.  If Casilla is demoted, however, Romo could share the 9th inning role with Jeremy Affeldt.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |7/19/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Seattle Mariners – Charlie Furbush was placed on the DL yesterday with a strained triceps.  Lefthander Lucas Luetge (1.46 ERA) will move into Furbush’s late-inning role.  Hierarchy change: Lucas Luetge to 2nd in line, Charlie Furbush to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |League |Luetge |Wilhelmsen |7/19/12 |Furbush(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has given up three HRs and 5 ERs over the last two days.  His job is not in jeopardy yet, but he could be given the day off today.
2. Sergio Romo/Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants – After Casilla’s latest outing, he may be given the day off today.  Sergio Romo or Jeremy Affeldt would be candidates to clos ein his place.
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.