Parnell likely done for season, Axford traded

August 31, 2013

New York Mets – Bobby Parnell is likely done for the season.  LaTroy Hawkins should continue to be the primary closer for the Mets, but Gonzalez Germen could see a couple save opportunities down the stretch as well.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsGonzalez GermenDavid AardsmaBobby Parnell8/30/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals acquired former closer John Axford from the Brewers on Friday.  Mujica and Rosenthal have been great all season so it is unlikely that Axford will see any save opportunities.  However with a couple good outings, Axford could certainly move into 2nd in line.  We will see how the Cardinals use him.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalKevin SiegristJason Motte8/31/13

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Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon picked up his first career save in a rain shortened game on Friday night as he got the last out of the 7th inning with the Tigers up 3.  He also threw his first warm up pitch over the head of the catcher and hit the backstop so it was a pretty exciting night for him.   No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose VerasDrew SmylyJose Veras8/31/13

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Atlanta Braves — Anthony Varvaro pitched the last two innings last night to record the save.  With Jordan Walden still nursing a leg injury and Avilan and Carpenter being used a lot recently, the Braves went with the more rested option.  Varvaro had not pitched in 5 days so he got the call last night but he still does not factor into the normal late inning plans for the Braves.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelLuis AvilanJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel8/31/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has thrown 46 pitches over the last two days.
2. Gonzalez Germen, New York Mets – The Mets could give Gonzalez Germen a save opp at any time, and today might be a better bet than most, as LaTroy Hawkins has pitched in two straight.

Gonzalez Germen could see a few save opps here and there

August 30, 2013

New York Mets – The Mets don’t necessarily see Gonzalez Germen as a closer, but they think he could develop into a strong set-up man, and might start giving him a few 9th inning opportunities, to get him used to pitching in pressure spots.  Unless LaTroy Hawkins has a few more meltdowns like the one last weekend, he probably won’t challenge for the full time job, but he could be good for a save or two over the next few weeks.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsGonzalez GermenDavid AardsmaBobby Parnell8/30/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Baltimore Orioles – As expected, it was Jim Johnson who got the call in the 9th for the Orioles last night, officially bringing to a close Tommy Hunter’s reign at closer.  Johnson should see all of the save opps going forward, unless he falters again.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/30/13

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Tommy Hunter’s reign as O’s closer appears over

August 29, 2013

Oakland A’s – Brett Anderson picked up a three-inning save on Wednesday.  The former starter does not factor in to the A’s usual late-inning plans.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook8/29/13

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Baltimore Orioles – Though Jim Johnson made a strong case for reclaiming his closer job in his last outing, it took five days before either he or Tommy Hunter appeared in a game again.  It finally happened tonight, with Hunter being summoned in the middle of the 8th inning, whereupon he promptly gave up the go-ahead run and took the loss.  Though Buck Showalter was far from supportive of Johnson a week ago (on the night that he used Hunter to get the save), the Orioles former closer appears to have won his old job back.  He does, however, immediately land on the Hot Seat, and will need a few saves in a row to get off of it.  Hierarchy change: Jim Johnson to Closer, Tommy Hunter to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/28/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays – Both Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta have pitched in back-to-back games, and four of the last five.
2. Scott Downs, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in two straight games and three of the last four; Luis Avilan has pitched in two straight and four of five; and Jordan Walden is dealing with a lingering leg issue.  If they’re all unavailable, Downs would likely be the next man up for the save opp.

Jim Johnson likely returning to the closer role

August 28, 2013

Baltimore Orioles – Though Jim Johnson made a strong case for reclaiming his closer job in his last outing, it took five days before either he or Tommy Hunter appeared in a game again.  It finally happened tonight, with Hunter being summoned in the middle of the 8th inning, whereupon he promptly gave up the go-ahead run and took the loss.  Though Buck Showalter was far from supportive of Johnson a week ago (on the night that he used Hunter to get the save), the Orioles former closer appears to have won his old job back.  He does, however, immediately land on the Hot Seat, and will need a few saves in a row to get off of it.  Hierarchy change: Jim Johnson to Closer, Tommy Hunter to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/28/13

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Still unsettled in the Angels ‘pen; Fernando Rodney to the Hot Seat

August 28, 2013

Los Angeles Angels — Mike Scioscia is not helping our trust issues. Every time we think we can relax and open up a little, the guy goes back on his word. Take last night, for instance! Just a few days after he said he could be ready to settle down and commit to Ernesto Frieri as closer again, he goes and sends Frieri out to pitch the eighth — in a game the Angels trailed! — because he “needed work.” And then OF COURSE Fernando Rodney blows the save, and out trots that Dane de la Rosa for the save again just like a few weeks ago, and Scioscia’s all like, “I told you this could happen. Don’t blame me.” We don’t, Mike. We blame ourselves. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaMichael KohnErnesto Frieri8/28/13

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Tampa Bay Rays — After Joel Peralta struck out the side in the eighth inning, Fernando Rodney entered and blew his eighth save of the season. The Rays fell to 3-12 in games where they have blown leads in the seventh inning or later. With the Rays in the heart of a pennant race, they can’t afford to keep losing this way. Fernando Rodney to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney8/28/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Atlanta Braves — Jordan Walden hasn’t pitched in a week, and Luis Avilan and Scott Downs have been working late in games for Atlanta. We don’t think Walden is out of the picture yet, but the Braves are being careful with him for some reason — possibly connected to the line drive he took off his pitching hand on August 10th. Hierarchy change: Luis Avilan to Set-up, Jordan Walden to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelLuis AvilanJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel8/28/13

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Minnesota Twins — Jared Burton picked up his second straight loss and eighth of the season by entering a tied game and surrendering three singles and a walk. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins8/28/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney needed 31 pitches in a blown save on Monday, and has thrown on three of the last four days.
2. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox — Addison Reed has pitched in three straight games.
3. Dane de la Rosa, Los Angeles Angels — You just never know with this Scioscia character.