Will Smith’s knee hurting; Shawn Tolleson catching up

March 25, 2016

Milwaukee Brewers – Will Smith, who was set to open the season sharing the closer role with Jeremy Jeffress, has some “concerning” swelling in his knee and will undergo testing. Should the injury be serious, Jeffress’s value would increase greatly, and Corey Knebel could also benefit with extra 8th inning looks or the occasional save. We will monitor the situation closely.

Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Jeffress | Knebel.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers – While Jeff Banister was quick to note that Shawn Tolleson is definitely still the closer in Texas, he also said that Tolleson was a short ways behind the other Texas relievers in terms of how they’ve all progressed this spring, and added that he would occasionally play matchups in the 9th. For Tolleson owners, hopefully this is just bluster, but if Banister is serious, then perhaps Sam Dyson or Keone Kela could get an occasional save chance.

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Dyson | Kela.

Tampa Bay Rays – Danny Farquhar has had a strong spring, including a nice outing yesterday. But Alex Colome has done just fine himself, and neither reliever has distinguished himself in the race to replace the injured Brad Boxberger. However, the duo have distanced themselves from their nearest competition — Xavier Cedeno and Steve Geltz — both of whom are getting knocked around in spring. Unless your league is especially deep, these are probably the only two relievers worth owning for now.

Hierarchy remains: *Farquhar | Colome | Cedeno.
* = closer-by-committee

Bailey leading Phillies ‘pen; Astros, Rockies no closer to naming closer

March 24, 2016

Philadelphia Phillies – Andrew Bailey appears to be the front-runner for the closer’s job, though manager Pete Mackanin has also said that David Hernandez and Dalier Hinojosa are also in the mix. While Edward Mujica is all but a lock to make the roster, the three aforementioned arms are the only ones being considered for the ninth inning at the moment.

Updated hierarchy: *Bailey | Hernandez | Hinojosa.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros — A bit of a closer controversy is developing for Houston after Ken Giles has struggled this spring. He finally turned in a clean inning on Wednesday, and manager AJ Hinch said after the game that he won’t have a closer determination until the team’s trip to Mexico, which begins Friday. Even with Luke Gregerson beginning to return from an oblique injury, our bet is that Giles will be the team’s closer on opening day.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Gregerson | Neshek.

Colorado Rockies – Manager Walt Weiss is in no rush to name a closer, but while the ninth inning is no closer to being decided upon, hard-throwing Miguel Castro may have impressed enough this spring to get a shot in the seventh inning.

Updated hierarchy: McGee | Motte | Castro.

Boston Red Sox — Carson Smith will begin the season on the disabled list but the Sox avoided a long-term setback for the right-hander, who suffered an elbow injury. While Smith recovers, Junichi Tazawa will be the best option for John Farrell in the seventh inning.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Uehara | Tazawa.

Minnesota Twins — Trevor May will begin the season in the bullpen, according to manager Paul Molitor. May was solid in relief last season and will likely return to his role in the seventh inning.

Updated hierarchy: Perkins | Jepsen | May.

Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson was terrific for the Rangers down the stretch last year to help Texas reach the postseason. He’ll be a potential candidate for saves and will almost certainly be called upon in the 8th inning in what is shaping up to be a solid bullpen in Arlington.

Updated hierarchy: Tolleson | Dyson | Kela.

Brad Boxberger out until mid-May

March 18, 2016

Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger will be out at least eight weeks after surgery on his abdominal muscles. Manager Kevin Cash would not name a closer, saying that the team would fill the role with a committee based on matchups and recent usage. Options in the ninth will include Danny Farquhar, Alex Colome, Xavier Cedeno, Steve Geltz, and Ryan Webb. Farquhar has experience closing for Seattle in 2013, while Colome has the best stuff and probably the highest upside. As the team’s top lefthander, Cedeno might get more than his share of chances too.

Updated hierarchy: *Farquhar | Colome | Cedeno.

Andrew Bailey turning heads in Phillies camp

March 18, 2016

Philadelphia Phillies – Andrew Bailey has now pitched four scoreless spring innings, allowing just one hit and striking out five. With David Hernandez battling a sore triceps, Bailey may have emerged as the early favorite to close for Philadelphia. Among other possible candidates, Edward Mujica is also having a good spring and may make the team, but hasn’t generated much discussion for the closer spot. Ernesto Frieri, meanwhile, isn’t pitching well.

Updated hierarchy: *Hernandez | Bailey | Mujica.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers – Will Smith and Jeremy Jeffress may share the closer role to open the season, but right now, Smith has the better chance of taking the job and running with it. He’s been great so far this spring, and Jeffress, recovering from an injury, hasn’t pitched much.

Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Jeffress | Knebel.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves – Jason Grilli made his spring debut yesterday, but the Braves still haven’t committed to him — or anyone else — as closer just yet. Grilli, Arodys Vizcaino, and Jim Johnson are still being considered.

Hierarchy remains: *Grilli | Vizcaino | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Drew Storen and Roberto Osuna are both looking pretty good so far this spring, which hasn’t helped the Blue Jays make any decisions about their closer role. Storen remains the early favorite, though.

Hierarchy remains: Storen | Osuna | Cecil.

Top Relievers for Holds in 2016

All right deep-league nerds, here are your best draft bets for holds. The list below consciously avoids including relievers in battles for the closer spot (Andrew Miller, Arodys Vizcaino, Jeremy Jeffress, etc.) to start the season, because if you are drafting a player based on his ability to give you holds, you don’t necessarily want him pitching the ninth right away. If you’re in a save/hold league, we’d recommend using a blending of our various rankings.

Anyway, the rankings below are the relievers we believe will be most likely to rack up holds. Other factors that affect the rankings include overall team potential (likelihood to have the lead in games late) and a lack of competition for late inning work. Good luck!

  1. Tony Watson
  2. Dellin Betances
  3. Joe Smith
  4. Kevin Siegrist
  5. Roberto Osuna
  6. Sergio Romo
  7. Joakim Soria
  8. Addison Reed
  9. Darren O’Day
  10. Pedro Strop
  11. Koji Uehara
  12. Keone Kela
  13. Luke Gregerson
  14. Tyler Clippard
  15. Kevin Jepsen
  16. Kelvin Herrera
  17. Carson Smith
  18. Jumbo Diaz
  19. Chris Hatcher
  20. Nate Jones