Brandon Kintzler traded to Nationals

July 31, 2017

Minnesota Twins – The Twins have shipped Brandon Kintzler off, leaving the cupboard pretty bare when it comes to 9th inning options. Veteran Matt Belisle has been pitching best as of late, while Trevor Hildenberger had a strong outing Sunday. Taylor Rogers seemed the best option as recently as a week ago, but he’s been hit around as of late and is probably in third place at the moment. We’ll slap a committee tag on here until the team makes something official.

Updated hierarchy: *Belisle | Hildenberger | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals – Brandon Kintzler adds to a cadre of veterans the Nationals have assembled over the last few weeks. Sean Doolittle has done a good job so far, but GM Mike Rizzo wouldn’t name a full-time closer after the trade. Our best guess is Doolittle keeps the job and Kintzler is first in line for chances if the lefty falters.

Updated hierarchy: *Doolittle | Kintzler | Madson.
* = closer-by-committee

Addison Reed dealt to Red Sox

July 31, 2017

New York Mets – Addison Reed is headed to the Red Sox, pending medical evaluation, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Joel Sherman has also confirmed. AJ Ramos takes over as closer for the Mets.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Blevins | Sewald.

Boston Red Sox – Addison Reed fills a big need for the Red Sox, who have struggled to bridge the gap to Craig Kimbrel on several occasions this year (including last night). Reed still retains a good deal of value in Holds leagues, as he’s likely to rack up 8th inning chances in Boston.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Reed | Barnes.

Trade Deadline Preview — relievers to add NOW

July 31, 2017

TLDR Shopping List

Tier 1: Kirby Yates, AJ Ramos if he’s available.
Tier 2: Matt Belisle, Brad Brach.
Tier 3: Cam Bedrosian, Michael Lorenzen.
Tier 4: Phil Maton, Darren O’Day, Mychal Givens.

 

San Diego Padres – Brad Hand is the hottest reliever on the market and is drawing interest from teams all around baseball. The Padres have a high asking price, but we’re betting that someone is willing to pay, meaning Kirby Yates could be closing for the Padres by this evening.

Fantasy spin: Pick up Kirby Yates. Consider Phil Maton, since Yates isn’t a lock to inherit the job, and could potentially be dealt as well.

New York Mets – It’s a near-certainty that Addison Reed will be dealt by 4 p.m. today, with the Red Sox being the most likely suitors. Even if he doesn’t go to Boston — apparently a handful of other teams are still bidding as well — Reed will see a significant drop in value, as he’ll likely be the set-up man wherever he lands. If someone in your league dropped AJ Ramos after he was dealt to the Mets, snag him now, as he should be the team’s closer by the end of the day.

Fantasy spin: Pick up AJ Ramos if he’s around. Find a sucker to trade for Addison Reed in the next few hours.

Minnesota Twins – The Twins have faded fast in July, and All Star closer Brandon Kintzler could be on the move as a result. Matt Belisle has been the best arm in the Twins bullpen lately, and is the most likely to benefit if Kintzler is dealt.

Fantasy spin: Pick up Matt Belisle. 

Baltimore Orioles – GM Dan Duquette has been exploring trades for all three of his top relievers. If he somehow manages to move all three of them, then look for the currently-off-hierarchy Mychal Givens to be closing for Baltimore tonight.

Fantasy spin: Pick up Brad Brach. In deeper leagues, add Darren O’Day. In super deep leagues, consider Mychal Givens.

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels are shopping Bud Norris, David Hernandez, and Yusmeiro Petit. Norris isn’t the most appealing acquisition for a variety of reasons (and he didn’t help his value by getting destroyed last night), but the Angels probably would take almost anything for him, so someone may bite. If he moves, he’ll be replaced in the 9th inning by Cam Bedrosian.

Fantasy spin: In deeper leagues, add Cam Bedrosian.

Cincinnati Reds – The asking price for Raisel Iglesias is high, but if someone is willing to pay it, Michael Lorenzen is your new closer in Cincinnati. We think a trade for Iglesias is unlikely, but he has been linked to the Nationals in recent weeks, who could surprise with a big offer today.

Fantasy spin: In deeper leagues, add Michael Lorenzen. 

Shane Greene closing after Justin Wilson trade; Jim Johnson moved to committee

July 31, 2017

Atlanta Braves – Jim Johnson has lost his position at the top of the Atlanta bullpen, and will now share duties with a handful of other relievers. Arodys Vizcaino is the best reliever to own right now, as he would’ve gotten the save chance last night, had the Braves taken the lead. (Johnson was used in a tie game in the 8th.) Rex Brothers, who closed for a spell in Colorado earlier in his career, could also get a look when matchups are right.

Updated hierarchy: *Vizcaino | Johnson | Brothers.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – Taylor Rogers had another bad outing yesterday, and has now allowed runs in five straight appearances. This is huge fantasy news, as the lefty had seemed like a lock to take over in the event of a Brandon Kintzler trade. But now, our money is on veteran Matt Belisle, who has been one of the only consisent arms in the Twins bullpen as of late. Check out our Trade Deadline Preview for relievers like Belisle who are worth adding before 4 p.m. today.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Belisle | Rogers.

St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal bagged his sixth save of the season last night, and has been an absolute hoss lately. In his last 11.2 innings: 4 hits, 1 BB, 1 ER, 19 Ks. Between those numbers, and the fact that he’s gotten the last two save chances, we’ll kick his asterisk. Welcome back to the 9th, Trevor.

Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Oh | Cecil.

Chicago White Sox – Jake Petricka and Tyler Clippard had solid outings yesterday in a tie game, which is probably enough to cement them as the top two relievers in the White Sox bullpen right now. We’ll move Petricka up to right behind Clippard in the committee; keep an eye on Greg Infante and Juan Minaya to also pitch in.

Updated hierarchy: *Clippard | Petricka | Minaya.
* = closer-by-committee

Detroit Tigers – The Tigers shipped Justin Wilson to the Cubs on Sunday night, pending a medical review. Shane Greene should be the first choice for saves now in Detroit, with Bruce Rondon and Alex Wilson behind him.

Updated hierarchy: Greene | Rondon | A. Wilson.

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs bolstered their bullpen Sunday night when they acquired Justin Wilson from the Tigers, pending a medical review. Wilson should become the primary setup man, with Koji Uehara and C.J. Edwards still in the mix for holds.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Wilson | Uehara.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Luis Garcia – Hector Neris has pitched three innings over the last two days. Garcia has also gone back to back but is better rested.
2. Brad Brach – Zach Britton has pitched in two straight; we’re not sure if he’s going three in a row yet.

Tomorrow
1. Juan Minaya/Greg Infante – If Tyler Clippard and/or Jake Petricka go today, it’ll be three straight.
2. Brad Brach – See above. If Britton does pitch again tonight, he’ll be off tomorrow.

Shane Greene likely to close in Detroit after Justin Wilson traded to Cubs

July 31, 2017

Detroit Tigers — The Tigers shipped Justin Wilson to the Cubs on Sunday night, pending a medical review. Shane Greene should be the first choice for saves now in Detroit, with Bruce Rondon and Alex Wilson behind him.

Updated hierarchy: Greene | Rondon | A. Wilson.

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs bolstered their bullpen Sunday night when they acquired Justin Wilson from the Tigers, pending a medical review. Wilson should become the primary setup man, with Koji Uehara and C.J. Edwards still in the mix for holds.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Wilson | Uehara.