Weekly Hot Seat Update: June 6, 2015

This week, we’ll take a deep dive into the bullpens behind Fernando Rodney and Hector Rondon — the two closers most likely to be out of a job by this time next week.

Seattle Mariners – At post time Saturday evening, Fernando Rodney is still the closer in Seattle. We’re not sure how many of baseball’s 29 other managers would have stuck with him this long, but Rodney has a close ally in Lloyd McClendon, who is doggedly clinging to the veteran as his stopper despite a 6.94 ERA and 1.76 WHIP. His peripherals don’t suggest he’s getting terribly unlucky (5.43 FIP), so it seems unlikely that Rodney turns this around, and McClendon will have to pull the plug at some point.

But his recent comments on Carson Smith being a little kid or something make it a little uncertain about who Rodney’s handcuff truly is. And all kidding aside, some of the advanced stats actually make things even murkier. Despite what seems like a large gap in ERA and WHIP over 2012-2013 closer Tom Wilhelmsen (Smith: 1.13 ERA, 0.71 WHIP; Wilhelmsen: 2.63 ERA, 1.61 WHIP), the head-to-head FIP actually favors the Bartender (Smith: 2.33 FIP; Wilhelmsen 1.91 FIP). It’s a small sample size, especially for Wilhelmsen, who was called up after the season started and has only pitched 13.1 innings so far, and Smith has the edge in a few other advanced statistical areas. But if McClendon is determined to go with an experienced reliever in the 9th inning, Wilhelmsen doesn’t seem like an inexcusable choice. In deep leagues, he might be worth an add.

Chicago Cubs – Lately, Hector Rondon hasn’t been the dominant force he was to begin the year, when he posted a 1.50 ERA with 12 Ks and only 1 unintentional walk in his first dozen outings. But he hasn’t been that bad either, having only allowed runs in two of his previous ten outings prior to today. So it was a bit surprising to see Joe Maddon yank him after just one hitter on Saturday afternoon, allowing Pedro Strop to finish the 9th inning. After the game, Maddon said that he’d look to use Rondon in other spots from time to time, but that he was still the closer for now.

At the moment, this is a two-horse race, as it seems unlikely that anyone other than Strop will get save chances if Rondon is indeed demoted. But Jason Motte has a greater track record of success in the 9th inning, and has been decent enough to potentially get a look if Strop falters. Justin Grimm, meanwhile, has posted more than a 15.68 K/9 ratio thus far and has been getting higher-leverage opportunities lately. Neil Ramirez was electric last year, but is still probably a while away from returning.

Pat Venditte makes his major league debut; Fernando Rodney falls again

June 6, 2015

Seattle Mariners — When Friday’s game stayed scoreless into the ninth, all-star coach Lloyd McClendon turned to the ultimate offensive catalyst — Fernando Rodney, who gave up the go-ahead home run. Apparently enamored with Rodney’s “man muscles,” the manager has steadfastly refused to consider replacing him with Carson Smith, but after this latest failure, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a change announced before Saturday’s game.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Smith | Wilhemsen.

Oakland Athletics — A four-run meltdown on Thursday was enough to get a struggling Dan Otero demoted to Triple-A; replacing him on the 25-man roster was the ambidextrous Pat Venditte, who rushed to Boston in time to pitch two scoreless innings in a loss, retiring batters with each hand. Sure, he’s probably not really second in line for the A’s, but whom would you prefer? Long man Drew Pomeranz? Eric O’Flaherty (10.13 ERA)? Fernando Abad (more earned runs than strikeouts)? Fernando Rodriguez (is Fernando Rodriguez)? Sean Doolittle isn’t coming through that door anytime soon, and Ryan Cook is in Nashville with Otero. For today, at least, P. ‘Ditte ain’t . . . goin’ nowhere.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Scribner | Venditte.

Tampa Bay Rays — Kevin Cash wanted to give Brad Boxberger another day off after his 32-pitch outing on Wednesday, so Kevin Jepsen got the call for a second straight night. He gave up a leadoff triple, but wriggled out of trouble impressively to pick up his third save.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Jepsen | McGee.

Toronto Blue Jays — We haven’t repeated much of the endless Rafael Soriano speculation this season, but with Toronto general manager Alex Anthopolous admitting the team is interested, there’s a very real chance Soriano could be relevant again soon.

Hierarchy remains: Cecil | Osuna | Loup.

Texas Rangers — Shawn Tolleson’s success in the closer role will allow the Rangers to bring Neftali Feliz back slowly, with several minor league rehab outings planned.

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Kela | Ohlendorf.

New York Yankees — Andrew Miller needed a second day of rest after throwing 21 pitches on Tuesday and 35 on Wednesday, and with New York up seven through eight, it looked like that wouldn’t be a problem. But then LA put eight straight men on base to start the ninth: five by Esmil Rogers and three by Dellin Betances. After a visit from Joe Girardi, Betances managed to stop the Angels’ rally just in time, earning his second save of the season and saving Miller for another day.

Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Shreve.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Matt Barnes, Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara has pitched on two straight days and three out of the last four. Junichi Tazawa has gone in three straight, so we’re betting on Barnes.
2. Tony Watson/Jared Hughes, Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon has pitched on four of the last five days. Watson threw 22 pitches on Friday, so the team might give Hughes or Arquimedes Caminero a shot.
3. Carson Smith, Seattle Mariners — It would make a lot of sense.

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Kenley Jansen had high blood pressure; Kevin Jepsen earns a Tampa save

June 5, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers — The mystery surrounding closer Kenley Jansen’s absence has been solved. Jansen, who has a history of heart trouble, felt sick to his stomach during Wednesday’s game and was found to have high blood pressure when checked by a doctor, so he was held out as a precaution while his bullpen mates blew the game. On Thursday night, no late-inning relievers were needed as LA lost 7-1. Jansen should be good to go if needed on Friday.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Hatcher | Garcia.

Tampa Bay Rays — Kevin Jepsen — and not Jake McGee — pitched the 9th and earned the save against the Seattle Mariners, his second of the season. Brad Boxberger was unavailable after throwing 32 pitches in a rough outing Wednesday night. McGee pitched a scoreless eighth inning Thursday, but hasn’t had a save opportunity since he returned from the disabled list. We’re going to slide Jepsen to the first-in-line slot for the time being.

Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Jepsen | McGee.

Boston Red Sox — Pitching in a tie game in the ninth against the Twins Thursday, closer Koji Uehara struggled, throwing 22 pitches without getting a single man out. Uehara was charged with four runs (two earned) and took the loss. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval had a costly error with runners on first and second and nobody out, leading to the big rally. Uehara has taken two losses this week, both due in part to Sandoval errors. The 40-year-old’s confidence may be shaken a bit, but he’s been rock solid all year (10 K/9, 1.00 WHIP) and remains firmly entrenched as the Sox closer.

Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Tazawa | Barnes.

Colorado Rockies — You probably thought you’d never read this name again in the annals of Closer Monkey, but 42-year-old reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who began the season as the Rockies closer, isn’t done yet. Recovering from right biceps tendinitis, Hawkins pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes Thursday night, striking out Cubs super prospect Javier Baez in the process. Hawkins is scheduled to make at least one more appearance in AAA before a possible promotion back to the big leagues, where he could once again factor into the back-end of the Rockies bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Axford | Betancourt | Oberg.

Detroit Tigers – Rumor has it that the Tigers may activate Bruce Rondon as early as Friday. If and when that happens, he would slide immediately into Detroit’s late-inning plans, perhaps even usurping Al Alburquerque in the hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara is 40 years old and has pitched in two of the last three games, including a 22-pitch outing Thursday. Tazawa has pitched in two straight, but he’s younger and could be called upon if Koji needs the night off.
2. Addison Reed, Arizona Diamondbacks — Everyone seems to suspect that Addison Reed will regain the closer’s job because he has pitched well since his demotion, but manager Chip Hale continues to trot out Brad Ziegler when there’s a save to be had. Reed, however, is still worth watching as the D-Backs committee approach isn’t behind them just yet.
3. Carlos Torres, New York Mets — Jeurys Familia threw 33 pitches (just 18 for strikes) against the Diamondbacks Thursday night to earn his 16th save; despite the fact it was his first appearance since Sunday, he could be unavailable Friday due to the heavy workload. Look for Carlos Torres to get the call in the ninth, if needed.

Kenley Jansen mysteriously unavailable for Dodgers

June 4, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen was unavailable to shut down a two-run game in the 9th, and that proved to be costly as Adam Liberatore, Yimi Garcia, J.P. Howell and Chris Hatcher all combined to blow the lead and take the loss. Jansen refused to talk to media after the game, but a team spokesman said Jansen wasn’t feeling well, and manager Don Mattingly would only add that it came up during the game. Rick Sutcliffe, who was part of the broadcast team, even “sent prayers” to Jansen and the Dodgers. Jansen has a history of heart trouble, but it doesn’t appear to be the issue here and he may even be available Thursday. There’s certainly more to the story and hopefully Jansen or the team sheds more light on the subject Thursday. For now, Jansen remains a closer that will be closely monitored.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Hatcher | Garcia.

Tampa Bay Rays – Brad Boxberger was brought in with two outs in the 8th to protect a lead, which he did, but then blew the save in the 9th inning. He picked up the win after the Rays scored in the 10th, and Steven Geltz secured up his second save of the year with Jake McGee and Kevin Jepsen having already pitched. Boxberger has been excellent, despite a recent rough stretch, and his primary competition, Jake McGee, was used in the 7th inning last night, so his job is probably safe for now.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | McGee | Jepsen.

New York Yankees — David Carpenter was designated for assignment when the Yankees activated Masahiro Tanaka. Meanwhile, Chris Martin has begun a rehab assignment in AAA. Chasen Shreve moves into our hierarchy for now; he has been seeing more high-leverage situations, and seems to have the trust of Joe Girardi. However, an intriguing dark horse is Jacob Lindgren, a 22-year-old fireballer who was done nothing but strike out hitters since he turned professional. His four innings of work are too small to make the crowded Yankees hierarchy, but he has been electric in the early part of his career.

Updated hierarchy: Miller | Betances | Shreve.

Chicago Cubs – Travis Wood was brought in for the 6th inning with the Cubs down by three, and  he promptly gave up a run and was yanked after getting only one out. It seems that his 5.44 ERA has finally caught up to him, and that he won’t be seeing the late innings until he straightens himself out. Jason Motte has been excellent recently, putting together seven straight scoreless appearances, including two holds and a win.

Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Strop | Motte.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Brad Ziegler got another clear save chance last night, and converted, despite giving up a home run. Addison Reed pitched a clean 8th inning before him, but Ziegler continues to get the save opportunities. We’ll keep the asterisk for now, since Reed has pitched well ahead of Ziegler, but the committee seems to be fading in Arizona.

Hierarchy remains: *Ziegler | Reed | Hudson.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Addison Reed, Arizona Diamondbacks – Brad Ziegler has pitched in back-to-back games and you just never know with Chip Hale.
2. Chris Hatcher, Los Angeles Dodgers – If Kenley Jansen is still unavailable, Hatcher may get a chance.
3. Ken Giles, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched three of the last four days.
4. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has thrown in three of the last four games.