July 10, 2014
Boston Red Sox — Trade rumors are heating up around Koji Uehara, raising the question of who would be next in line to replace him. John Farrell has mentioned that he likes to use Edward Mujica in the role with Uehara unavailable, Mujica’s 5.61 ERA and 1.49 WHIP notwithstanding. Farrell might be better served considering Junichi Tazawa or Andrew Miller — although lefty Miller could be leaving Boston soon himself.
Updated hierarchy: Uehara | Mujica | Tazawa.
Tampa Bay Rays — Time for our daily look at the bullpen you don’t want anything to do with! Use of would-be closer in the eighth inning? Check. Five pitchers called on to get the final seven outs? Check! Rookie Kirby Yates brought in at the highest-leverage moment to yield a game-winning home run? CHECK! The Rays have Thursday off, giving Joe Maddon the chance to take a fresh look at all of his bullpen options, then return to using them in baffling and inconsistent ways.
Hierarchy remains: McGee | Balfour | Peralta.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Kirk Gibson insisted he hasn’t “even considered” moving Addison Reed from the closer role after his recent struggles. If he ever manages to spare some time for thought on the subject, he might recall how effective Brad Ziegler was in the role in 2013. Then again, he may just be buying time until the Arizona front office can move Reed.
Hierarchy remains: Reed | Ziegler | Marshall.
Chicago White Sox — The Sox bullpen ruined a strong outing from would-be All-Star Chris Sale on Wednesday. Entering with two outs in the eighth, Jake Petricka gave up three hits and a walk without retiring a batter; after Javy Guerra got out of that jam, he came back out for the ninth and blew the save. Post-game criticism centered on Ventura’s decision to pull Sale, and with Chicago’s bullpen, that second-guessing seems pretty reasonable.
Hierarchy remains: Putnam | Petricka | Guerra.
Miami Marlins — Steve Cishek had a nightmare tenth on Wednesday night, entering with a two-run lead and giving up a single, a walk, a single, and a walk-off double. Although this is his second such meltdown in two weeks, he was working on a streak of 33 consecutive saves just a few months ago.
Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Gregg | Morris.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jeurys Familia, New York Mets — Jenrry Mejia has pitched in three of the last four games.
2. Antonio Bastardo/Ken Giles, Philadelphia Phillies — With Jonathan Papelbon having pitched in three straight games, Ryne Sandberg may audition young Ken Giles as a potential replacement in case of a trade.
3, Pat Neshek, St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal has pitched in two straight games.