Mike Dunn earns first save in Miami’s closer-by-committee; Wilton Lopez returns

July 17, 2012

Houston Astros – Wilton Lopez has returned from the disabled list and resumed his 8th inning duties on Monday, throwing a clean inning on Monday ahead of Brett Myers.  Lopez could get save chances if and when the Astros deal Brett Myers.  Hierarchy change: Wilton Lopez to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Lopez |Lyon |Myers |7/17/12

 
New York Mets – Frank Francisco had a setback in his rehab and will take a few days off before attempting to throw again.  Bobby Parnell remains the team’s closer for the foreseeable future.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rauch |Beato |Francisco |7/17/12 |Francisc(DL)|

 
Miami Marlins – Mike Dunn pitched the 9th inning on Monday to pick up his first save of the season.  Heath Bell pitched a clean 8th inning, and is still potentially in the mix for saves, but Cishek and Dunn have gotten the first two opportunities since Ozzie Guillen installed a closer by committee.  Hierarchy change: Mike Dunn to Set-up, Heath Bell to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |Bell |7/17/12 |Oviedo(SUSP)|Mujica(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in four straight games.
2. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn have each picked up one save.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.

Mark Melancon rising; random saves for Darren Oliver, Kevin Jepsen

July 16, 2012

Toronto Blue Jays – Darren Oliver pitched the last two innings in a three-run game for the Jays last night, earning his first save of the season.  Casey Janssen remains the team’s regular closer, and will maintain that role for the foreseeable future, as the Jays also announced Sunday that Sergio Santos would undergo season-ending surgery.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Oliver |Frasor |Santos |7/16/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Both Ernesto Frieri and Scott Downs were unable to close the game out in the 9th inning against the Yankees on Sunday.  After they combined to allow three runs and six baserunners, Kevin Jepsen got the game’s final out, retiring Alex Rodriguez to earn his first save of the season.  Jepsen does not figure in to the Angels usual late-inning hierarchy.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Hawkins |Walden |7/16/12

 
Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox placed Scott Atchison on the DL on Sunday.  After finishing the 7th and 8th innings on Sunday, Mark Melancon has given up just 1 run in 13.2 innings since returning from the minors.  He has struck out 12 and walked only 2 in that span, and moves up in Atchison’s absence.  Hierarchy change: Mark Melancon to 2nd in line, replacing Scott Atchison. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Padilla |Melancon |Bailey |7/16/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Marshall, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in three straight.

Greg Holland returns to 8th inning role for Royals

July 15, 2012

Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has re-taken the lead as the Royals go-to set-up man, an important spot to watch, given the likelihood that Jonathan Broxton will be dealt.  Holland helped to finish off the 7th, and then pitched the 8th inning for the second night in a row, earning the win.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Set-up, Aaron Crow to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |7/15/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
New York Mets – The Mets bullpen is a mess at the moment, but the recently returned Pedro Beato could help provide some stability.  Beato was often used in the 8th inning last year, and could ease back in to a late inning role soon.  Hierarchy change: Pedro Beato to 2nd in line, replacing Tim Byrdak.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rauch |Beato |Francisco |7/15/12 |Francisc(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins – Ron Gardenhire said he wanted to give Matt Capps one or two lower-pressure roles before re-inserting him as closer.  Capps got one such appearance yesterday, pitching the 8th inning in a blowout, but if the Twins want to hold him out of the 9th inning for another day, Glen Perkins will get the save chance.

Kris Medlen rising in Atlanta; Matt Capps returns

July 14, 2012

Minnesota Twins – The Twins activated Matt Capps from the DL.  He will resume closing immediately, as the Twins are hoping to build his value so they can deal him.  Hierarchy change: Matt Capps to Closer, Glen Perkins to Set-up, Jared Burton to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Capps |Perkins |Burton |Perkins |7/14/12

 
Atlanta Braves – Kris Medlen pitched two solid innings in relief yesterday, striking out 3 without allowing a hit.  Even once Jonny Venters returns from injury, Medlen may remain ahead of him on the depth chart.  Kris Medlen to 2nd in line, replacing Jonny Venters.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedATL |Kimbrel |O'Flaherty |Medlen |Kimbrel |7/14/12

 

Trade Deadline Buy/Sell: American League Closers

July 13, 2012

SPECIAL UPDATE: TRADE DEADLINE BUY/SELL (PART 2 OF 2)

Glossary
BUY+: This player has a large chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
BUY: This player has a small chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
SELL: This player has a small chance of losing his closer job by the trade deadline.
SELL+: This player has a large chance of  losing his closer job by the trade deadline.

TLDR Version
BUY+: Aaron Crow, Glen Perkins.
BUY: Greg Holland, Jared Burton, Grant Balfour, Brandon League, Charlie Furbush
SELL: Addison Reed, Tom Wilhelmsen
SELL+: Jonathan Broxton, Matt Capps

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles bullpen has been spectacular, top to bottom, thus far this year.  Jim Johnson and Pedro Strop have been solid in their roles, and the Orioles are unlikely to seek any help at the deadline.  They’re leading the race for the second Wild Card and aren’t going to be selling, either.  BUY/SELL: None.
Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves and Vicente Padilla are both playing out 1-year contracts, but it’s unlikely the Red Sox will be selling at the deadline– despite being tied for last place in the AL East, they’re still well within range of a Wild Card spot.  Despite some early struggles, Aceves and Padilla have been solid at the back end of the Sox rotation, and an acquisition is unlikely to affect the immediate hierarchy.  Daniel Bard, returned to a relief role, could potentially shake things up if they struggle, however.  BUY/SELL: None.
New York Yankees – Rafael Soriano has been rock solid since taking over the 9th inning, while David Robertson has continued to be spectacular in any role other than closer.  Any acquisitions the Yankees make are unlikely to affect their hierarchy.  BUY/SELL: None.
Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney’s dominance has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, and with Kyle Farnsworth recently returned from the DL, the Rays are unlikely to add any bullpen arms.  BUY/SELL: None.
Toronto Blue Jays – Whether the Blue Jays are buyers or sellers has been a topic of debate, with GM Alex Anthopolous saying earlier this month that they were buyers, while Buster Olney reported a few days later that other executives were expecting the Jays to sell.  But even if they do sell, Casey Janssen has a 2-year deal and would likely be sticking around.  And if they buy, they’ll probably look somewhere other than the bullpen, as they’ve got Sergio Santos returning soon.  BUY/SELL: None. 

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox are buying, and that’s potentially bad news for their solid, but young bullpen.  They could look to acquire a veteran, and even though Addison Reed has only blown one save in 14 chances, the acquisition of a Huston Street or a Jonathan Broxton could mean Reed is pushed back to set-up duty.  BUY: None.  SELL: Addison Reed.
Cleveland Indians – The trade rumors surrounding the Indians have generally been centered on hitting, as they seem unlikely to be shopping for any relief help at the deadline.  BUY/SELL: None.
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers are looking to buy, but like the Indians, they seem to be in the market for a bat, or possibly a starting pitcher.  Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit have been solid at the back-end of the Tigers’ pen, and their hierarchy is unlikely to be affected by any deals.  BUY/SELL: None.
Kansas City Royals – Jonathan Broxton is likely to move by the break, and will likely see his value drop if he goes to a contender that plugs him in to a set-up role.  Certain to benefit, however, is Aaron Crow, or possibly Greg Holland, who would inherit the closer job if Broxton moves.  BUY+: Aaron Crow.  BUY: Greg Holland.  SELL+: Jonathan Broxton.
Minnesota Twins – Once Matt Capps returns from the DL, the Twins will look to deal him.  With his paltry strikeout rates, it’s unlikely that he would land anywhere where he could close, and his value will almost certainly plummet.  Glen Perkins, who just signed a three-year extension, won’t be going anywhere and stands to continue getting saves.  BUY+: Glen Perkins.  BUY: Jared Burton.  SELL+: Matt Capps.

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels have the best closer/set-up combo in the majors with Ernesto Frieri and Scott Downs.  They’re leading the Wild Card race so are obviously not selling, and any acquisitions they make are unlikely to affect their hierarchy.  BUY/SELL: None.
Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook isn’t going anywhere, but the A’s are actively looking to move Grant Balfour.  If Balfour catches on with the right team– like the Mets, or possibly the Cardinals– he could be in the mix for saves.  BUY: Grant Balfour.  SELL: None. 
Seattle Mariners – The Mariners are actively shopping Brandon League, but Tom Wilhelmsen’s name hasn’t surfaced in any reported trade talks thus far.  Like most closers for bottom feeders, Wilhelmsen’s value will either drop sharply (if he’s traded to a team that uses him in the 8th inning) or rise slightly (if he’s able to close for a contender), making him a somewhat scary fantasy proposition.  If League is dealt, his value will probably drop or remain the same, but it could skyrocket if he remains and Wilhelmsen is shipped off.  A deep sleeper for saves is Charlie Furbush, who has only given up 2 runs in his last 23.2 innings and could inherit the job if the Mariners are able to move both Wilhelmsen and League.  BUY: Brandon League, Charlie Furbush.  SELL: Tom Wilhelmsen.
Texas Rangers – With the second-best record in all of baseball, the Rangers will be buyers at the trade deadline.  They might look to add a set-up man, as Mike Adams has been somewhat shaky this season, but no pick-up will supplant Joe Nathan at closer.  BUY/SELL: None.