Aaron Sanchez complicating things for Casey Janssen owners

September 4, 2014

Toronto Blue Jays — Aaron Sanchez’s future is as a front-line starter, but like Adam Wainwright in 2006, he’s building confidence in the bullpen down the stretch. The Jays have made it clear that Casey Janssen is still the team’s official closer, but Janssen, a free agent next season, hasn’t taken kindly to the competition. John Gibbons explained that he went with Sanchez for Wednesday’s save because he was already warm. Janssen owners approaching the playoffs should avail themselves of a less volatile option if possible.

Hierarchy remains: Janssen | Sanchez | Cecil.

Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers — The six men who make up the hierarchies of the Dodgers and Nationals combined on Wednesday for three blown saves, eight runs (seven earned), and a whopping 2.47 WHIP. They also make an average of just over $7 million a year, which works out to about $7,000 per pitch. Feel free this morning to revel, just a little, in their failure.

Hierarchy remains: Soriano | Clippard | Storen.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Wilson | League.

Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel picked up his 42nd save of the year in bright gold cleats that will be auctioned off to benefit a childhood cancer charity.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Walden | Carpenter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — Quack . . . quack . . . quack . . .

It’s Vulture Save season

September 3, 2014

St. Louis Cardinals — As we speculated on Tuesday morning, Pat Neshek picked up a vulture save with Trevor Rosenthal getting a night off. In other news, Jason Motte returned from the disabled list on Tuesday; time will tell whether a high-leverage role for him is in the cards.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Neshek | Martinez.

Kansas City Royals — The Royals went super deep for the vulture save on Tuesday, giving their top three guys the night off and tabbing Aaron Crow, fresh off a one-week procedural stint in the minors, for the honors.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — Joaquin Benoit isn’t expected back for another 8 to 10 days.
2. Edward Mujica, Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara was used for the first time in eight days and threw 18 pitches. If the Sox don’t want to use him on back-to-back days, Mujica might get the Wednesday save chance.
3. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen blew the save last night and has pitched in three of four (and four of six) games.
4. Zach Putnam, Chicago White Sox — Jake Petricka has pitched in three of four games.

Uehara’s usage to be reduced; Quackenbush gets another save

September 2, 2014

Boston Red Sox — While Koji Uehara hasn’t officially been shut down for the season, manager John Farrell has confirmed that Uehara’s usage will be reduced. Edward Mujica will close when Uehara is held out, while Uehara will pitch only in save situations and not in tie games. In addition, Junichi Tazawa will also see his usage cut back, though he should still be expected to get a save chance if both Uehara and Mujica are unavailable.

Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Mujica | Tazawa.

San Diego Padres — With Joaquin Benoit still sidelined with shoulder discomfort, Kevin Quackenbush came on for the save. Quackenbush is still on tap for any save opportunities while Benoit recovers.

Hierarchy remains: Benoit | Quackenbush | Thayer.

Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies ‘pen combined with starter Cole Hamels for the season’s fourth no-hitter, with Jake Diekman, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon not allowing a single base runner in the final three innings.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Giles | Diekman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Kevin Quackenbush is closing for the Padres with Joaquin Benoit nursing an injury.
2. Wade Davis/Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has pitched in three straight games and five out of six while Davis has thrown in three straight contests himself. Herrera has also tossed in back-to-back-to-back games, but only threw three pitches on Monday.
3. Pat Neshek, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has pitched in consecutive games.

Jonathan Broxton acquired by Brewers, will set-up for K-Rod

September 1, 2014

Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers acquired Jonathan Broxton from the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday and the big righty will share set-up duties with lefty Will Smith. With Francisco Rodriguez set to become a free agent next year — and Broxton under contract for $9 million — he’s among the favorites to close for the Brewers in 2015.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Broxton | Smith.

Cincinnati Reds – Jonathan Broxton’s departure elevates Jumbo Diaz into a set-up role, while Sam LeCure could see a few 7th inning holds.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Diaz | LeCure.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Kevin Quackenbush is closing for the Padres with Joaquin Benoit nursing an injury.
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has pitched in back to back games and four of five.
3. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen has pitched in back to back games and three of four, throwing 52 pitches.
4. Andrew Miller/Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton has pitched in back to back games and three of four, though he’s only thrown 25 pitches.
5. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo’s perpetual existence on the Vulture Save Watch is compounded today by the fact that the Giants are resuming a make-up game against the Rockies and then them playing again. Should they have a save chance in both, it’ll probably be Santiago Casilla getting one, and Romo getting the other.
6. Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies – Likewise for the Rockies; it’s unlikely that LaTroy Hawkins pitches in both games.

Aaron Sanchez records save, Benoit hurt again

August 31, 2014

Toronto Blue Jays — Aaron Sanchez picked up his first career save yesterday afternoon.  Sanchez pitched a perfect 8th inning with the Blue Jays up 2 and then came back out for the 9th.  With closer Casey Janssen warming in the bullpen, Sanchez threw a 1-2-3 inning to finish the game.  The Blue Jays plan to get as much out of Sanchez as possible, which could mean that he sees more save chances down the stretch.  Still, Janssen should see the majority of saves, especially since Sanchez likely won’t pitch in back-to-back games.

Updated hierarchy: Janssen | Sanchez | Cecil.

San Diego Padres — Closer Joaquin Benoit is feeling discomfort in his shoulder again.    The Padres expect Benoit to pitch again this season but they do not have any timetable for this return.  Kevin Quackenbush will handle the closing duties while Benoit is sidelined.

Hierarchy remains: Benoit | Quackenbush | Thayer.

Chicago White Sox — Jake Petricka gave up a hit and a walk in the 9th inning yesterday but was still able to record his 10th save of the season.  Meanwhile, Zach Putnam pitched a perfect 8th against the Tigers 4-5-6 hitters and hasn’t given up any runs in August.  It looks like Petricka is still the closer for now but Putnam is right there if Petricka slips up.

Hierarchy remains: Petricka | Putnam | Guerra.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Joaquin Benoit is sidelined with a sore shoulder and Quackenbush will close while he is out.
2. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street has appeared in four straight games.
3. Jared Hughes/John Axford, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon and Tony Watson have both pitched in two straight and four of the last five.
4. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla got the save last night but has pitched in three of the last four games so it could be Romo turns today.