Sean Doolittle struggles in first outing; Tom Wilhelmsen closes in Seattle

August 24, 2015

New York Mets – Hansel Robles pitched the ninth inning in a 4-run game on Sunday, which is more relevant than usual since Terry Collins was treating almost any lead as a save situation in the Mets’ first two games at Coors Field — Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia had both pitched in 5-run games on Friday and Saturday. Robles has earned the trust of Collins as of late, and going forward, look for him to share the 7th inning with Logan Verrett, who earned a prominent place in the bullpen after his masterful spot start yesterday.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Clippard | Robles.

Oakland A’s – Our initial prognostications were accurate, as Bob Melvin said shortly after Sean Doolittle’s activation that he expects the lefty to win the closer job back. But Doolittle got off to a rocky start yesterday, as his first outing was a 7th-inning appearance that saw him give up a lead. We still think he’s the favorite to emerge from this committee, but other relievers could get save opportunities until he gains his footing.

Hierarchy remains: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Venditte.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa had a horrific outing on Sunday afternoon, allowing seven baserunners and four earned runs in a blown save against the Royals. The biggest thing Tazawa has going for him right now is a lack of competition, but even so, he’s allowed 9 earned runs in his last 8 innings pitched, and isn’t striking out hitters at anywhere close to the rate he was earlier this season. The committee is very much alive in Boston.

Hierarchy remains: Tazawa | Machi | Ogando.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals – Ned Yost wanted to give Greg Holland the day off on Sunday, so Wade Davis picked up his 11th save of the year after the Royals rallied against Junichi Tazawa. If there is even a single middle reliever owned in your league, it should be Davis.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Minnesota Twins – Tommy Milone picked up his first save of the season in a 12-inning game against the Orioles on Sunday. He does not factor in to the Twins usual late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May.

Seattle Mariners – The wholesale changes in the Mariners bullpen didn’t end with DFA’ing Fernando Rodney and demoting Danny Farquhar. They also seem to have removed Carson Smith from the closer role — he finished the 7th and then stayed on for the 8th inning tonight, leaving the 9th to Tom Wilhelmsen. Wilhelmsen closed for the Mariners in 2012 and 2013, and appears to be the stopper once again in Seattle going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Wilhelmsen | Smith | Olmos.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jean Machi/Alexi Ogando, Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa could get a night off to clear his head after his disastrous outing on Sunday.

Tom Wilhelmsen picks up save with Carson Smith moving to set-up duty

August 23, 2015

Seattle Mariners – The wholesale changes in the Mariners bullpen didn’t end with DFA’ing Fernando Rodney and demoting Danny Farquhar. They also seem to have removed Carson Smith from the closer role — he finished the 7th and then stayed on for the 8th inning tonight, leaving the 9th to Tom Wilhelmsen. Wilhelmsen closed for the Mariners in 2012 and 2013, and appears to be the stopper once again in Seattle going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Wilhelmsen | Smith | Olmos.

Doolittle returns, Jepsen with another save, Colome pitching well

August 23, 2015

Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle was activated on Saturday, and while Manager Bob Melvin said that Doolittle will get at least one outing before returning to closing games, last night was just another reason why the A’s need Doolittle in the ninth inning sooner rather than later.  With a one run lead, switch-pitcher Pat Venditte got the call to face the righties due up.  He gave up a hit and walk, before Drew Pomeranz came on to try and preserve the lead.  He gave up a two-run double to the first batter he faced and the A’s lost by one run.  Pomeranz and Venditte could still see some time in the ninth inning in the near future but look for Doolittle to take over as soon as he can.

Updated hierarchy: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Venditte.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – The Twins bullpen performed well again yesterday without regular closer Glen Perkins.  Kevin Jepsen pitched a perfect ninth for the save, while Trevor May struck out the side in a scoreless eighth.  Perkins, who has been battling this neck problem for six weeks, played catch yesterday and “felt great.”  Perkins is scheduled to throw a bullpen today and could return Tuesday.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May.

Tampa Bay Rays — Alex Colome pitched a perfect eighth inning with the Rays down one run last night.  After the Rays scored two runs in the top of the ninth to take the lead, Colome came back out for the ninth and pitched another perfect inning to finish the game.  Brad Boxberger had thrown 33 pitches on Friday so even though it turned out to be a save opportunity, he was likely unavailable.  Colome has been impressive recently in relief, including striking out the side in Houston on just 10 pitches in the eighth inning a couple nights ago, and could be the guy when Boxberger is unavailable moving forward.

Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Colome | Cedeno.

Seattle Mariners — It was another rough night for the Mariners bullpen as Carson Smith blew the save in the ninth inning and then Danny Farquhar gave up three runs (one earned) in the tenth inning.  After the game, the Mariners decided to shake things up as they optioned Farquhar and designated Fernando Rodney for assignment.  Tom Wilhelmsen threw 1.1 scoreless innings on Saturday and should slide into 1st in line behind Carson Smith.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Wilhelmsen | Olmos.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Daniel Hudson came in to clean up a mess in the ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season last night.  Arizona entered the inning with a six run lead but after the Reds scored two runs and had two men on base, Hudson was needed to record the last two outs and complete the win.

Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Hudson | Reed.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Jepsen, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins will be unavailable again on Sunday
2. Drew Pomeranz/Pat Venditte, Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle is expected to get at least one outing in a non-save situation before returning to closing so Pomeranz or Venditte could get the call on Sunday.

Hot Seat: August 22, 2015

Here’s our latest Hot Seat update, a ranking of current closer job security.

Hottest – In a committee, or on the verge of losing their job right now

30. Sean Doolittle (cuff: Drew Pomeranz)
29. Bruce Rondon (cuff: Alex Wilson)
28. Junichi Tazawa (cuff: Jean Machi)

-Sean Doolittle returned from the DL today, and while he is the A’s best reliever when healthy, it could take some time for him to solidify himself as the closer.  Drew Pomeranz could still see some save chances during that time.  Bruce Rondon blew his last save opportunity and has given up runs in his past two appearances.  Junichi Tazawa has picked up two saves in the past week and is close to shedding the committee label.

Hot – Closers who could be in danger after their next blown save

27. John Axford (cuff: Tommy Kahnle)
26. Santiago Casilla (cuff: Sergio Romo)
25. Carson Smith (cuff: Tom Wilhelmsen)
24. Greg Holland (cuff: Wade Davis)
23. Glen Perkins (cuff: Kevin Jepsen)

-John Axford has been named the closer again in Colorado but does anybody really trust him to keep the job even the rest of this season?  Greg Holland recorded a couple saves this week but it was Wade Davis who got the most recent save.  Holland is still the guy right now but Davis is breathing down his neck with any blown saves.  Glen Perkins is currently battling an injury and with the Twins fading in the playoff race, they might

Warmish – Two blown saves in a row and these players might be in trouble

22. Aroldis Chapman
21. Luke Gregerson
20. Brad Boxberger

-Aroldis Chapman goes from the safest closer to somebody to keep an eye as he is battling a sore shoulder.  A sore shoulder is concerning for a guy who has thrown all 50 of the fastest pitches in the major leagues this year.  Brad Boxberger’s job is a little safer after the injury to his primary competition, Jake McGee.

Cool – These players would have to blow 3 consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy

19. Arodys Vizcaino
18. Brad Ziegler
17. AJ Ramos
16. Hector Rondon
15. David Robertson
14. Francisco Rodriguez
13. Jeurys Familia
12. Huston Street
11. Roberto Osuna
10. Kenley Jansen
9. Cody Allen
8. Ken Giles
7. Mark Melancon

-Arodys Vizcaino jumps up a tier as he has lowered his ERA to 0.54 while the reliever right behind him for saves, David Aardsma, has seen his ERA rise to 4.55.  K-Rod moves up a few slots this week as he is 30/30 on the season and recently became the active leader in saves.

Sub-zero – These players would have to blow 4+ consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy

6. Shawn Tolleson
5. Jonathan Papelbon
4. Trevor Rosenthal
3. Zach Britton
2. Andrew Miller
1. Craig Kimbrel

-Shawn Tolleson stays in this tier but with the return of Keone Kela, Papelbon and Rosenthal move ahead of him.

Sean Doolittle activated and could see save chances immediately

August 22, 2015

Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle has been activated from the disabled list. None of the Oakland beat writers have reported on his usage, as they haven’t been able to talk to Bob Melvin yet, so this is purely a hunch. However, we think he’s the best bet to close for the rest of the year and we’re immediately moving him to the top of Oakland’s committee. Drew Pomeranz has been the best reliever in the bullpen, but the A’s have continually used him for multiple-inning outings, which is a role he seems more suited for as a former starter (and a role that Doolittle has never filled), and we think that’s where he’s headed as soon as Doolittle gets his feet under him. For what it’s worth, Doolittle allowed only three baserunners in 6 innings while logging 13 strikeouts in the heavy-hitting Pacific Coast League during his rehab.

Updated hierarchy: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Mujica.
* = closer-by-committee.