Jonathan Papelbon’s days as Nationals closer nearing end

July 29, 2016

Washington Nationals — While the East Coast was sleeping, there was some late-innings drama in San Francisco when beleaguered closer Jonathan Papelbon entered the ninth inning with a 4-1 lead. He recorded one out, but allowed a single and a walk before he was pulled from the game, which had social media speculating his status as closer was in jeopardy. Oliver Perez made it interesting, allowing an inherited runner to score, but he and Shawn Kelley combined to strike out the final two hitters to secure a Nats victory. After the game, manager Dusty Baker said pulling Papelbon was what he had to do to try to win the game, and that while it was too early to make a decision on Papelbon, he said the team “certainly (has) to figure something out there.” He also expressed concerns about Papelbon’s velocity, which could mean a DL stint or bullpen demotion is near.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.

New York Mets — After an unreal save-conversion streak in the regular season, Jeurys Familia has a new streak of blown saves after he blew his second chance in as many days in the Mets loss Thursday. Manager Terry Collins had been worried about Familia’s fatigue, but he still trotted his closer out there in the 9th despite telling reporters on Wednesday that Familia would be unavailable. Familia has now thrown 52 pitches over the last two days and has pitched in four out of the last five. To be fair, Familia told his manager he was available, but give him a break, Terry!

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Reed | Robles.

Kansas City Royals — The Royals have made closer Wade Davis available in trades, but they’re apparently attempting to attach Ian Kennedy (who is owed $62.5 million after this season) in any Davis deal. The Dodgers and Nationals are supposedly interested, though. In related KC reliever news, Luke Hochevar was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder condition.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Herrera | Soria.

Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks are reportedly near a deal to trade away Daniel Hudson. When asked about a possible Hudson deal, GM Dave Stewart said “close is in the eye of the beholder.

Hierarchy remains: *Clippard | Barrett | Hudson. 
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies — The Rockies could be close to dealing reliever Boone Logan to the Blue Jays, but no deal is in place as of yet. Several other teams are interested in the lefty.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Ottavino | Logan.

Chicago Cubs – Aroldis Chapman recorded four outs Thursday for his first save with his new team (and his first save of more than three outs this year). His zip-code change hasn’t stopped his heavy flow of triple-digit heat.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Rondon | Strop.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals — Will Dusty Baker pull the plug on Jonathan Papelbon?
2. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in three straight and four of the last five.
3. Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies — Closer Carlos Estevez has recorded a save in three straight games.
4. Hansel Robles, New York Mets  Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed have both pitched in four of five.

Jeurys Familia blows his first (regular-season) save in a year

July 28, 2016

New York Mets — Pour one out for Jeurys Familia’s 52-game regular-season save streak, the third-longest in MLB history (behind Tom Gordon and Eric Gagne). Familia’s streak is survived by Zach Britton’s 34-game regular-season save streak, Tony Wolters’s five-game hitting streak, and Vin Scully’s 67-year streak of being awesome.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Reed | Robles.

Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon and Shawn Kelley were each unavailable on Wednesday afternoon, so Felipe Rivero got a shot at a vulture save. After he stumbled, Blake Treinen earned his first career save with a timely double play. With Papelbon struggling, Washington is in the market for Andrew Miller, although Kelley could provide a perfectly serviceable in-house option.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.

Colorado Rockies — Jason Motte returned to the disabled list on Wednesday with another right shoulder strain. Walt Weiss still doesn’t seem to fully trust Jake McGee, so we’ll elevate fellow lefthander Boone Logan into the hierarchy — but note that Logan has been mentioned in some trade rumors.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Ottavino | Logan.

Detroit Tigers — As we predicted, Justin Wilson earned a vulture save (his first ever), while K-Rod tended to personal business. Rodriguez is expected to be back for Friday’s game.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Addison Reed, New York Mets — Familia will get Thursday off.
2. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in two straight and three of four (53 pitches).

Jonathan Papelbon’s struggles continue

July 27, 2016

Washington Nationals – Jonathan Papelbon suffered his second loss in as many outings, blowing a three-run lead in the ninth without recording an out. He has now allowed six earned runs in his last two appearances, raising his ERA from 2.56 to 4.45. After the game, Papelbon’s confidence in himself hasn’t wavered, but manager Dusty Baker may not share that same confidence. He said it was “too soon after the loss” to think about removing Papelbon from the closer’s role, but with the Nationals having lost six of eight and still clinging to first place in the NL East, they may begin to look elsewhere for help before August 1.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.

Toronto Blue Jays — After designating Drew Storen for assignment on Sunday, the Jays traded him to Seattle for Joaquin Benoit, who sports a 5.18 ERA and troubling walks-per-nine rate of 5.5. Benoit actually faced Toronto in his last outing on July 24 and he retired all three batters he faced. Manager John Gibbons thinks Benoit can help Toronto in the late innings, much like Jason Grilli, another veteran the Jays acquired this year. Gibbons said Benoit may be available Wednesday, but no matter when he officially joins the club, he should see high-leverage spots ahead of Grilli and Roberto Osuna.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Grilli | Benoit. 

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners traded Joaquin Benoit to Toronto for the recently DFA’d Drew Storen late Tuesday night. Storen comes to Seattle with a 6.21 ERA, though GM Jerry Dipoto is confident that Storen can get back on track over the next two months. Tom Wilhelmsen picked up his fifth hold of the season on Tuesday in a Mariners win and should see more of the seventh inning with Benoit heading north of the border.

Updated hierarchy: Cishek | Diaz | Wilhelmsen.

Oakland A’s – With Ryan Madson unavailable after pitching in two straight and three of four, John Axford got the final two outs of the ninth to preserve a 6-3 win. Prior to the game, manager Bob Melvin maintained that Madson, who blew a save on Monday (his third in his last eight outings), is still the closer. However, Melvin also clarified that Axford, and not Ryan Dull, will close when Madson is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Madson | Axford | Dull.

Atlanta Braves — Chris Withrow now has eighth-inning holds in each of the last two Atlanta wins and has surpassed Dario Alvarez in the Braves hierarchy. Meanwhile, Mauricio Cabrera is still throwing gas, as he hit 102 twice on Tuesday.

Updated hierarchy:  Johnson | Cabrera | Withrow.

Detroit Tigers – With Justin Wilson getting some rest Tuesday after throwing 45 pitches over the last two games, Bruce Rondon and Shane Greene were each sharp in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. After the game, manager Brad Ausmus singled out Rondon, who reached triple digits with his fastball, saying that he needed to see more of that from the righty. Greene has been great of late as well, however, having allowed just one run in 8.2 innings during July. Based on recent usage, we’ll move Greene up in the hierarchy, though he and Rondon should both see chances for holds.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Adam Liberatore was unavailable on Tuesday because of a sore right knee, which he injured while covering a base Sunday in St. Louis. If the injury, which is not serious, keeps him out for another couple days, expect Pedro Baez to see more high-leverage opportunities in Liberatore’s stead.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Liberatore | Blanton.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Adam Warren, New York Yankees – Both Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances have pitched in two straight and four of the last five, making them very unlikely to appear Wednesday.
2. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna has appeared in three straight games.
3. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in four of the last five, including a blown save last night.
4. Justin Wilson, Detroit Tigers – K-Rod has thrown 29 pitches over the last two days while Wilson got Tuesday night off.

Aroldis Chapman on the move; two young righties are dominating

July 26, 2016

Cincinnati Reds – Raisel Iglesias appears to have firmly established himself as the Reds’ go-to set-up man for closer Tony Cingrani. In his last two appearances, Iglesias has been perfect, taking care of the 7th and 8th innings each time. If you are in a holds league, Iglesias could be a big help in the stretch run.

Updated hierarchy: Cingrani | Iglesias | Ohlendorf.

Los Angeles Angels – Despite possessing a double-take inducing 0.97 ERA, Cam Bedrosian is stuck behind veteran closer Huston Street in the Angels’ pecking order. The 22 year-old fireballer might get his shot a closing soon, however. There have been reports that the Giants are interested in Street and his unimpressive 4.79 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. If Street gets dealt, Bedrosian may get his chance.

Hierarchy remains: Street | Bedrosian | Salas.

Chicago Cubs – It’s official — Aroldis Chapman is headed to the Cubs. He’ll close for them immediately, pushing Hector Rondon into a set-up role and Pedro Strop into the 7th inning. The trifecta gives the Cubs one of the strongest bullpens in the league as they head into the stretch run.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Rondon | Strop.

New York Yankees – As mentioned this morning, the Yankees appear unlikely to move Andrew Miller or Dellin Betances, who will be tasked with handling the late innings in Aroldis Chapman’s absence. Miller will close, while Betances will get any save chances when the lefty is unavailable. Adam Warren is coming back from Chicago and should get the chance to recapture his 2015 seventh-inning role.

Updated hierarchy: Miller | Betances | Warren.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton has pitched 5 of the last 6 days.

Aroldis Chapman traded to Cubs

July 25, 2016

Chicago Cubs – It’s official — Aroldis Chapman is headed to the Cubs. He’ll close for them immediately, pushing Hector Rondon into a set-up role and Pedro Strop into the 7th inning. The trifecta gives the Cubs one of the strongest bullpens in the league as they head into the stretch run.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Rondon | Strop.

New York Yankees – As mentioned this morning, the Yankees appear unlikely to move Andrew Miller or Dellin Betances, who will be tasked with handling the late innings in Aroldis Chapman’s absence. Miller will close, while Betances will get any save chances when the lefty is unavailable. Adam Warren is coming back from Chicago and should get the chance to recapture his 2015 seventh-inning role.

Updated hierarchy: Miller | Betances | Warren.