July 10, 2021
Chicago Cubs — The Cubs won last night, but the real news is that they are actively shopping Craig Kimbrel. With everywhere from the Astros and A’s to the Yankees as possible landing places, the Cubs will be looking to cash in on Kimbrel’s return to form. Kimbrel would likely remain a closer wherever he ends up, but that would leave Cubs’ job up for grabs. Andrew Chafin has been excellent taking the 8th inning and would likely be the front runner to replace Kimbrel, but Dan Winkler, Rex Brothers, and the recently activated Ryan Tepera would also be in the mix. If you are speculating on the bullpen, keep in mind that Winkler, Brothers, and Tepera are free agents in 2022 and could also see themselves traded away. Chafin isn’t totally safe either, as his contract has a $5.25 million mutual option for 2022, which the Cubs may not choose to pick up. As the deadline approaches, the Cubs closer may come down to whoever is left standing.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Chafin | Tepera.
San Diego Padres — The Padres placed Drew Pomeranz on the IL yesterday with forearm inflammation. Pomeranz has been excellent when healthy, but has had trouble staying on the active roster this year. Although we would love to add Daniel Camarena to the hierarchy after his heroics at the plate the other night, we will go with Austin Adams, who picked up the 8th inning hold last night.
Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Pagan | Adams.
Minnesota Twins – With a 2 run lead last night the Twins turned to Hansel Robles to handle the last two outs of the 8th. He stuck around for the 9th to earn his 9th save of the year. This comes the day after Taylor Rogers locked up his 8th save of the year. By almost every measure, Rogers has been pitching better than Robles, but the Twins seem committed to giving them both chances. Robles is going into free agency, so he could find himself on the trading block, but until he gets moved he will keep stealing some of the save chances.
Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | Robles | Colome.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds — Heath Hembree pitched a clean 9th inning last night to pick up his 5th save of the year, and 4th in the last 8 days. Hembree has been the 9th inning option whenever he has been available, with the only other save in this time going to Amir Garrett after Hembree had pitched back-to-back days. This is enough to kick the asterisk in this committee, but check the vulture save watch as he may need a rest today.
Hierarchy remains: Hembree | Brach | Garrett.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Noe Ramirez (ARI) – Joakim Soria has pitched in 3 of 4 and 4 of 6 (and somehow earned 3 saves for the Diamondbacks in that time) so he will get a rest day.
2. Brad Brach (CIN) – Heath Hembree has pitched in 3 of 4 and could get the night off.
3. Emmanuel Clase / Bryan Shaw (CLE) – James Karinchak has pitched back to back, while Emmanuel Clase threw 20 pitches last night.
4. Emilo Pagan (SD) – Mark Melancon has pitched in back to back and 3 of 4.
5. Seth Lugo (NYM) – The Mets play a double header today…
6. David Bednar (PIT) – Against the Pirates
Sunday:
1. Tyler Rogers / Dominic Leone (SF) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers.
2. Paul Sewald (SEA) – Today would be 3 in a row for Kendall Graveman, but he’s kept his pitch counts low.