August 2, 2016
Minnesota Twins – The Twins held on to Brandon Kintzler, but on Sunday they did manage to move veteran Fernando Abad. Abad, who is having a stellar season, joins the Red Sox, where he likely won’t crack the hierarchy, but his absence in Minnesota means more opportunities for Trevor May to finally live up to his potential.
Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Pressly | May.
Boston Red Sox – Fernando Abad is unlikely to be more than a situational lefty in the Red Sox pen in part because they’ve gotten some recent reinforcements in terms of late-inning relievers. Yesterday, it was Craig Kimbrel’s return from the DL — the hard-throwing righty picked up his 18th save, striking out three.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Ziegler | Tazawa.
Los Angeles Angels – Also on the move yesterday was longtime Angels set-up man Joe Smith, who was dealt to the Cubs. The laredo-slinging righty probably won’t crack what has become an extremely talented Cubs hierarchy, but his departure means a return to the 7th inning for Fernando Salas.
Updated hierarchy: Street | Bedrosian | Salas.
Seattle Mariners – After back-to-back poor outings, including a blown save on Sunday, Steve Cishek is out as Mariners closer. Edwin Diaz will take over for Cishek, with Tom Wilhelmsen likely getting the 8th for now. Cishek may still see some work in the 7th if Seattle has the lead, so we’ll keep him in the hierarchy for now, though recently-acquired Drew Storen is also a candidate to get some looks in the 7th.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Wilhelmsen | Cishek.
Milwaukee Brewers – Tyler Thornburg is the last man standing in the Brewers hierarchy after Milwaukee traded closer Jeremy Jeffress to Texas and also shipped Will Smith to the Giants. We think a combination of Corey Knebel and Carlos Torres will set up Thornburg for now.
Updated hierarchy: Thornburg | Knebel | Torres.
Texas Rangers – Sam Dyson will retain his closer gig despite the acquisition of Jeremy Jeffress, said Jon Daniels after the trade yesterday. Jeffress will still be valuable in holds leagues, but in traditional leagues, he’s unlikely to make much of a difference unless Dyson falters.
Updated hierarchy: Dyson | Jeffress | Diekman.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna has pitched in back to back games and three of four.