Joakim Soria traded to Tigers

July 23, 2014

Detroit Tigers – The Tigers have acquired Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers. Joe Nathan will apparently hang onto his job for now, but his Hot Seat is glowing white with his former set-up guy looming.

Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.

Texas Rangers – Joakim Soria has been traded to the Tigers. Neftali Feliz’s past closer experience makes him the best bet for saves in Texas, but Shawn Tolleson and Neal Cotts could also be in the mix. We will monitor this situation as it develops.

Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Tolleson | Cotts.

Kevin Quackenbush could be San Diego’s next closer

July 23, 2014

San Diego Padres — 25-year-old Kevin Quackenbush had six saves in six attempts at El Paso earlier this year, and so far in the big leagues, he’s put up a sub-1.00 WHIP and averaged more than a strikeout per inning. Recent comments from Bud Black suggest that if Joaquin Benoit ends up being traded, “Quack” will inherit the ninth.

Updated hierarchy: Benoit | Quackenbush | Thayer.

San Francisco Giants — It took Tim Lincecum only 1,532 innings to earn his first career save, but we’re sure he has other talents. Lincecum’s only previous regular-season relief appearance came on April 2, 2008 — when he was held back until the fourth inning to avoid an expected rain delay. The Giants couldn’t spell Tim’s name right in a celebratory tweet they later deleted, but they did correctly point out that he’s the first player since Sandy Koufax to earn a save in the same season that he pitched a no-hitter.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Affeldt.

Toronto Blue Jays — For the second straight appearance, Casey Janssen entered in a non-save ninth and allowed enough runs to allow a wingman to earn a vulture save. Tonight it was Brett Cecil’s turn, since Aaron Loup and Dustin McGowan had already appeared. If Janssen’s ineffectiveness can be traced to his recent illness, he’d be better off resting than hooking up pals at the expense of his ERA.

Hierarchy remains: Janssen | McGowan | Loup.

Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton looked dominant on Tuesday night, and he has earned his last three saves with a miserly 25 combined pitches.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Hunter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Aaron Loup, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen threw 24 pitches on Tuesday and has been struggling with an illness. Dustin McGowan, although next in line, threw 28 pitches of his own.
2. A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins — Steve Cishek and Bryan Morris have each pitched in three straight games.
3. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees — David Robertson threw 32 pitches in two innings on Tuesday.

Chicago committee comes through on Monday

July 22, 2014

Chicago White Sox – Chicago’s closer committee continued to chug along on Monday, as Jake Petricka got the save after Zach Putnam had converted the previous two chances. Additionally, displaced closer Ronald Belisario has shined since the All-Star break, having picked up three holds in three opportunities, including one on Monday night. All three holds have come in the eighth inning, and he’s pitched his way back into the conversation should Petricka and Putnam be unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Putnam | Petricka | Belisario.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Al Albuquerque, Detroit Tigers – Both Joe Nathan and Joba Chamberlain have pitched in three straight games.
2. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen and Brian Wilson have both appeared in back-to-back contests.

Aaron Loup picks up back to back saves

July 21, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays – We were again getting close to removing the asterisk next to Jake McGee’s name — it seemed like he’d finally been established as the one and only 9th inning guy in Tampa. But yesterday, Joe Maddon decided to use him in the 8th, and instead sent Grant Balfour out for the 9th. Balfour struggled, and eventually had to be pulled for Kirby Yates, who picked up his first career save. So we’re still in committee mode here, though McGee is still getting the vast majority of save chances.

Hierarchy remains: McGee | Balfour | Boxberger.

Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen got the ball in the 9th inning on Sunday, but wasn’t himself, allowing several baserunners before giving way to Aaron Loup, who picked up another vulture save. Janssen, weakened by a stretch of food poisoning, wasn’t even certain that he would be available Sunday, so we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say that the quick hook wasn’t representative of any lost faith from John Gibbons. Hopefully he’ll find his strength in short order.

Hierarchy remains: Janssen | McGowan | Loup.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in three straight.
2. Danny Farquhar, Seattle Mariners – Fernando Rodney has pitched in back to back games, including a 32-pitch blown save on Sunday.
3. Dustin McGowan, Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen might not be fully recovered yet, and Aaron Loup has pitched in three straight.