New closer-by-committee in Seattle, failed closer-by-committee in Houston

August 3, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Prior to Friday’s game, Robby Thompson said that he’d go to a closer-by-committee, mentioning lefties Charlie Furbush and Oliver Perez, and righties Yoervis Medina and Danny Farquhar.  Friday’s game offered no clues into who gets first crack, as the Mariners lost and used only Brandon Maurer in relief, but over the last several weeks, Furbush has been, unquestionably, the 8th inning guy.  The set-up man doesn’t always ascend to the role, though, and Perez and Medina are the relievers who have gotten odd save opps earlier this season; they could jump him in the hierarchy as a result, particularly since Thompson is an interim manager, and may not want to give someone new (Furbush) a chance.  Farquhar, meanwhile, has been brilliant lately, but we rank him fourth among the potential options in Seattle.  Hierarchy change: Oliver Perez to Closer, Yoervis Medina to Set-up, Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEAOliver PerezYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushTom Wilhelmsen8/2/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

.

Houston Astros – The Houston Astros got their first save opportunity since the Jose Veras trade and four relievers combined to blow two late inning leads.  Unfortunately that doesn’t tell us much about what is going to happen moving forward.  Jose Cisnero started the 8th inning facing the top of the Twins lineup and promptly gave up 3 hits and a run to tie the game.  Wesley Wright and Josh Fields combined to finish the 8th.  The Astros took the lead again in the top of the 9th.  Fields stayed on to start the 9th but gave up a leadoff walk.  Chia-Jen Lo came on with 1 out and gave up the tying run.  The most notable absence in all this was Travis Blackley, but other than that it is hard to know who Bo Porter will go to next time since all his relievers failed him this time.   Hierarchy change: Jose Cisnero to Closer, Chia-Jen Lo to Set-up, Josh Fields to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose CisneroChia-Jen LoJosh FieldsJose Cisnero8/3/13

.

New York Mets – With Bobby Parnell unavailable last night, the Mets went with David Aardsma in the 9th.  Unfortunately for the Mets, Aardsma was unable to get the job done.  Bobby Parnell will be unavailable on Saturday as well and even though he blew his first opportunity, we would not be surprised if the Mets gave Aardsma another shot.  Hierarchy change: David Aardsma to Set-up, LaTroy Hawkins to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMBobby ParnellDavid AardsmaLaTroy HawkinsBobby Parnell8/3/13

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Aardsma/LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell will not be available to pitch tonight and Mets could give Aardsma another shot or they could go with Hawkins, who has been their 8th inning man.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight and three of the past four.
3. Yoervis Medina/Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – The Mariners are going with a closer-by-committee so they could go with Medina or Furbush on any night.

Tom Wilhelmsen out as closer as Mariners opt for a return to a committee

August 2, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Prior to Friday’s game, Robby Thompson said that he’d go to a closer-by-committee, mentioning lefties Charlie Furbush and Oliver Perez, and righties Yoervis Medina and Danny Farquhar.  Friday’s game offered no clues into who gets first crack, as the Mariners lost and used only Brandon Maurer in relief, but over the last several weeks, Furbush has been, unquestionably, the 8th inning guy.  The set-up man doesn’t always ascend to the role, though, and Perez and Medina are the relievers who have gotten odd save opps earlier this season; they could jump him in the hierarchy as a result, particularly since Thompson is an interim manager, and may not want to give someone new (Furbush) a chance.  Farquhar, meanwhile, has been brilliant lately, but we rank him fourth among the potential options in Seattle.  Hierarchy change: Oliver Perez to Closer, Yoervis Medina to Set-up, Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEAOliver PerezYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushTom Wilhelmsen8/2/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

.

Seattle bullpen melts down; Sergio Santos finally returns

August 2, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen led the Seattle bullpen to one of the most epic collapses of the season thus far, as he, Oliver Perez, and Yoervis Medina combined to allow six runs in the 9th inning in an 8-7 loss to the Red Sox.  The three relievers combined to retire only one hitter in the walkoff loss.  Wilhelmsen allowed four baserunners without recording an out, and then after a bizarre sequence that saw interim manager Robby Thompson summon the wrong reliever by accident, Perez and Medina wrapped up the futility clinic by combining to allow four more hits and a walk.  The only real beneficiary here was Charlie Furbush, who had an stellar-by-comparison 8th inning, where he allowed just one run on a hit and a walk.  Wilhelmsen, whose ratios have been terrible all year (47.1 IP, 35 Ks, 26 BBs), won’t hold on to his job with another outing or two like this.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to Set-up, Oliver Perez to 2nd in line.  Tom Wilhelmsen to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenCharlie FurbushOliver PerezTom Wilhelmsen8/2/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

.
Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos finally returned to the big leagues on Thursday after spending most of the season on the disabled list.  He’ll pitching middle relief at first, but given his contract and experience, the Blue Jays will likely elevate him to a set up role if he pitches well.  That’s no guarantee of course, as Santos was pretty awful during his rehab stint, posting a 6.17 ERA in 12 appearances.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos8/2/13

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell has had a stiff neck for the last several days. He said yesterday that he expected to be available tonight, but if he can’t go, LaTroy Hawkins is the best bet for a save opp.

Brett Cecil and Mike Dunn pick up saves; Jose Cisnero still the favorite in Houston

August 1, 2013

Houston Astros – The Astros have played two games since dealing Jose Veras, and neither has netted them a save situation, but the clues that have been presented continue to suggest that Jose Cisnero gets the first crack at the closer role, despite Bo Porter’s insistence that he’s using a committee.  Yesterday, Cisnero pitched the 9th in a blowout, picking up a strikeout while allowing 2 hits and no runs.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose CisneroTravis BlackleyJosh ZeidJose Cisnero8/1/13

.
Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek got the night off on Wednesday, and Mike Dunn picked up a 4-out save in his absence.  Dunn and Chad Qualls will continue to share the 8th inning role.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekChad QuallsMike DunnSteve Cishek8/1/13

.
Toronto Blue Jays – Brett Cecil picked up a 10th inning save on Wednesday, after Casey Janssen and Steve Delabar had already pitched.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos8/1/13
Sergio Santos (DL)

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez has pitched in three straight and five of six and is nearly certain to get the night off tonight.
2. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara threw two innings in an extra-inning game last night.