July 19, 2017

Chicago White Sox — Both David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle were traded to the Yankees late Tuesday night, with Tyler Clippard part of the package that came back to the White Sox. Clippard has struggled lately, but he has experience as a closer and is likely to take over the ninth inning for Chicago. Anthony Swarzak will be next in line for save chances if he also doesn’t eventually get traded.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Swarzak | Jennings.

New York Yankees — The Yankees bolstered their bullpen by trading for both David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle. Robertson instantly becomes one of the top setup men in baseball, and should be first choice to close if Aroldis Chapman is unavailable. Kahnle and Dellin Betances will get the ball ahead of Robertson and Chapman – we’ll keep an eye on how Joe Girardi deploys those two arms.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Robertson | Betances.

Washington Nationals – Prior to Tuesday’s game, Dusty Baker made clear that he won’t have a traditional closer/setup situation. He wasted no time practicing what he preached, using Ryan Madson in the eighth inning before Sean Doolittle got the ninth and the save. Matchups probably played a part in this decision, as two lefties were due up in the ninth. However, Baker also said that Madson felt more comfortable in the eighth. It truly could be either Doolittle or Madson in the ninth if the Nats have a lead, which means frustration for fantasy owners.

Hierarchy remains: *Madson | Doolittle | Albers.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s – Blake Treinen impressed on Tuesday, pitching a clean eighth inning in a one-run game before Santiago Casilla blew the save in the ninth. It’s early in his tenure with Oakland, but Treinen appears to have quickly earned Bob Melvin’s trust.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Treinen | Hendriks.

Houston Astros – The Vulture Save Watch picked a winner in Luke Gregerson on Tuesday, but it was not a conventional save. Gregerson entered the eighth inning with the tying run on deck in a 6-2 game, picked up the final out of the frame, and then stayed on to complete the ninth for his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Devenski | Gregerson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Andrew Miller/Bryan Shaw – Cody Allen has pitched in three straight games. Miller needed 28 pitches yesterday, so Bryan Shaw may be an option depending on the game situation.
2. Pat Neshek/Joaquin Benoit – Hector Neris has pitched in three straight. Neshek has gone in three of four, so Benoit may get the call.
3. Ryan Tepera  – Roberto Osuna has pitched in three straight games.

Thursday
1. Matt Barnes/Heath Hembree – If Craig Kimbrel pitches tonight, it will be back-to-back and four of five. Matt Barnes will also need a day off if he pitches on Wednesday.
2. David Robertson – The Yankees acquired Robertson to win, so no sense in holding him back if Aroldis Chapman needs a day off. That may be on Thursday – Chapman will have gone in back-to-back games and four of five if he gets the ball on Wednesday.
3. Juan Nicasio – If Felipe Rivero pitches on Wednesday it will be three straight.