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.

John Axford struggling; David Robertson returns

June 15, 2012

St. Louis Cardinals – Victor Marte pitched parts of the 7th and 8th innings on Thursday, earning his 9th hold of the season.  While Mark Rzepczynski generally pitches later in games than Marte, he’s struggled as of late and would likely remain in a specialist role even if Jason Motte and Mitchell Boggs both suffer injuries.  Hierarchy change: Victor Marte to 2nd in line, replacing Mark Rzepczynski. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Marte |Motte |6/15/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford blew his second save in two days on Thursday, and has seen his ERA jump to 5.55 after giving up 7 runs in his last three outings.  He would be in more danger if the Brewers had any lights-out middle relievers, but Francisco Rodriguez- the only real threat to Axford’s job- is also having a mediocre season.  Still, if Axford continues to pitch poorly, the Brewers might have to look elsewhere.  John Axford to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |6/15/12

 
New York Yankees – The Yankees activated David Robertson from the DL on Thursday.  Robertson is expected to return to a set-up role, but could challenge for the closer job if Rafael Soriano struggles.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to Set-up, Boone Logan to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Robertson |Logan |Robertson |6/15/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has registered 2 saves for the Cubs since the demotion of Rafael Dolis; Camp has gotten the other.  Matchups will likely determine who is used in the 9th today.
2. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 5 of the last 8 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.
3. Jose Veras, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has blown saves on back to back days, throwing 47 pitches in the process, and might be given a day off.  Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three in a row, and five of the last six, making Jose Veras the most likely candidate for a save opp.