Francisco Rodriguez has terrible outing; Scott Downs picks up a save

July 24, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez blew his first save since inheriting the closer job, but did so in spectacular fashion, allowing four runs to score.  If he falters again, John Axford could get his old job back.  Francisco Rodriguez to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Rodriguez |Axford |Veras |Axford |7/24/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs picked up his 9th save of the season on Monday.  With one of the strongest bullpens in the bigs, the Angels have the luxury of continuing their pseudo-platoon to keep both Ernesto Frieri and Scott Downs fresh.  Frieri will still get the great majority of opportunities, however.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Hawkins |Walden |7/24/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek has picked up two saves to Mike Dunn’s one.  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.
2. 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.

Andrew Miller, Takashi Saito rising; Joaquin Benoit nabs a save

July 23, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Mark Melancon got shelled yesterday, and has looked shaky recently after a great return from the minor leagues.  Hard thrower Andrew Miller has been the much more consistent reliever lately, and now sports a 2.74 ERA.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Miller to 2nd in line, replacing Mark Melancon.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Padilla |Miller |Bailey |7/23/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde experienced some back tightness before Sunday’s game, so he was held out of action, but manager Jim Leyland said the injury was not serious.  Joaquin Benoit got the save in his place.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Valverde |7/23/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – After notching a couple of saves early in the season, Bryan Shaw has struggled in recent weeks, and on Sunday, the Diamondbacks sent him to the minors.  Fortunately, for Arizona, Takashi Saito recently came off the disabled list and will pitch in the 7th inning for the time being.  Hierarchy change: Takashi Saito to 2nd in line, replacing Bryan Shaw.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Satio |Putz |7/23/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Huston Street has pitched in three straight.
2. Brandon League, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched in three straight.
3. Pedro Strop, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight games, and four of the last five.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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

Tyler Clippard struggling; 10-player trade ups Francisco Cordero’s value

July 21, 2012

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays picked up three pitchers from the Houston Astros in a 10-player trade on Thursday including Brandon Lyon, who will likely serve as a 7th inning guy ahead of Darren Oliver and Casey Janssen.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line, replacing Jason Frasor. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Oliver |Lyon |Santos |7/21/12

 
Houston Astros – The Astros acquired Francisco Cordero from the Toronto Blue Jays in a 10-player trade on Thursday.  Cordero becomes an interesting player to watch, as he’ll likely assume the set-up role immediately, and could ascend to the closer spot if Brett Myers is dealt.  Hierarchy change: Francisco Cordero to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line. 

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

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Javy Guerra finished off the 7th inning, and has worked his way back in to a late-innings role for the Dodgers.  Josh Lindblom has struggled as of late, including on Friday, when he allowed three baserunners while only recording one out in the 6th inning.  Hierarchy change: Javy Guerra to 2nd in line, replacing Josh Lindblom.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Jansen |Belisario |Guerra |Jansen |7/21/12

 
Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard blew the save last night, and has now allowed 7 ERs in his last 3 outings, a span that includes two blown saves.  Sean Burnett and Drew Storen also had rough nights, but Clippard’s recent stretch is worrying, and the Nats have plenty of live arms in their bullpen who could be inserted into the closer role if he continues to struggle.  Tyler Clippard to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Burnett |Storen |Storen |7/21/12

 
Atlanta Braves – Chad Durbin picked up an 11th inning save on Friday after the Braves had exhausted much of the rest of their bullpen.  Durbin does not figure in to their usual late inning plans.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedATL |Kimbrel |O'Flaherty |Medlen |Kimbrel |7/21/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Grant Balfour, Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook has pitched in three straight games.
2. Kris Medlen, Atlanta Braves – Both Craig Kimbrel and Eric O’Flaherty have pitched in three straight.
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.