Alfredo Aceves suspended; Andrew Bailey to take over, possibly for good

August 25, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has been suspended for three games for conduct detrimental to the team.  At the moment, it is unclear whether he was suspended for his expletive-laden media comment after his last blown save, or due to an explosive meeting he had with Bobby Valentine after being bypassed for the save yesterday.  Either way, this might be it for the mercurial righty, as Bailey, barring any slip-ups, should take the job and run with it from here.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Bailey to Closer, Vicente Padilla to Set-up, Craig Breslow to 2nd in line, Alfredo Aceves suspended.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Padilla |Breslow |Bailey |8/25/12 |Aceves(SUSP)|

Andrew Bailey close to winning job; John Axford struggles again

August 25, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Andrew Bailey picked up his first save of the season on Friday, throwing a clean 9th inning.  He’s definitely on track to win the closer job soon, but he’s not officially the man yet.  “I wish he had a little more [appearances] so I could make that determination,” Bobby Valentine told mlb.com.  Alfredo Aceves has blown three of his last five save chances, and remains on a blazing Hot Seat, but the job is still his for the time being.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Bailey |Padilla |Bailey |8/25/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Garrett Richards got the game’s final two outs on Friday, earning his first save of the year.  Richards does not factor in to the Angels usual late inning plans; Ernesto Frieri and Kevin Jepsen were unavailable, having both pitched three games in a row, and Scott Downs had already pitched.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Jepsen |Frieri |8/25/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Kameron Loe got the last two outs of the game after John Axford couldn’t close the door on Friday.  Axford returns to the Hot Seat with the bad outing, and the uncertainty continues in Milwaukee.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Loe |Axford |8/25/12

 
San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez picked up his fourth save of the season on Friday.  He’s now earned three of the last four save chances for the Giants, but two of his recent saves have been less than one inning long.  Lopez won’t accumulate saves at this rate moving forward, but he’s just as likely as Sergio Romo or Jeremy Affeldt to get the last out in the 9th at this point.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/25/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Dale Thayer is on paternity leave and was not with the team on Friday.  He may not return until tomorrow.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.
3. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – With the Giants in full committee mode, it’s time for Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez to join Jared Burton as regular members of the vulture save watch.  Either could get a save on any night.