Richard Rodriguez traded to Atlanta

July 30, 2021

Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates have traded Richard Rodriguez to the Braves. David Bednar is the likely closer in his absence.

Updated hierarchy: Bednar | Stratton | Keller.

Atlanta Braves – It’s not immediately clear what role Richard Rodriguez will have with Atlanta, but he’s got better numbers than Will Smith to this point. We’ll put the two of them in a committee for now and see how the Braves approach things.

Updated hierarchy: *Smith | Rodriguez | Martin.
* = closer-by-committee

Joakim Soria goes to Toronto

July 30, 2021

Arizona Diamondbacks — Maybe Tyler Clippard will be the last one standing in the Arizona bullpen at the end of the trade deadline. We think — for now — he’ll close with Joakim Soria moving to Toronto.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Ramirez | Faria.

Toronto Blue Jays — Joakim Soria is coming to Toronto to further bolster the bullpen; he should slot in behind Brad Hand and Jordan Romano and handle the seventh inning.

Updated hierarchy: Hand | Romano | Soria.

Ian Kennedy will close for Philly; expect a committee in Texas

July 30, 2021

Texas Rangers — Ian Kennedy is headed to Philadelphia, leaving Spencer Patton, Josh Sborz (when he returns from paternity leave), and Joe Barlow at the head of the Rangers’ pen. 

Updated hierarchy: *Patton | Sborz | Barlow.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — The acquisition of Ian Kennedy should move Ranger Suarez into a setup role along with Jose Alvarado and Archie Bradley.

Updated hierarchy: Kennedy | Suarez | Alvarado.

Craig Kimbrel traded across town, will split save opportunities with Liam Hendriks

July 30, 2021

Chicago Cubs — Score another one for the Vulture Trade Watch, although it didn’t take a genius to predict Craig Kimbrel was headed out the door at Wrigley. In his absence, we expect some combination of Rex Brothers and Dan Winkler to handle the ninth until Rowan Wick can come back and make it his. Codi Heuer, who’s coming over from the White Sox in the trade, might also get some late-inning play.

Updated hierarchy: *Brothers | Winkler | Morgan.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks will each get save opportunities for the White Sox down the stretch, in an effort to keep everyone fresh. We’ll throw a committee tag on this bullpen and see how Tony LaRussa chooses to handle it.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Hendriks | Kopech.
* = closer-by-committee