April 21, 2016
Cincinnati Reds – In a meeting with manager Bryan Price, JJ Hoover was told that he would not be the closer going forward, but could still see some save chances. The Reds’ bullpen has a league-worst 6.04 ERA, so this is likely to be a wide-open committee. Our best bet to take the lead, and potentially hold the job, is Caleb Cotham, who came over from the Yankees in the Aroldis Chapman deal, and has yet to give up an earned run this year. Price seems oddly committed to the idea of Hoover as closer, so he might get some save chances and keep a little value. Also in the mix will be Tony Cingrani, Blake Wood, and Ross Ohlendorf, none of whom are particularly attractive options. Cingrani is the only lefty in the Reds bullpen and may be used situationally. Wood saved 29 games for AAA Indianapolis last year, but has just one major league save. Ohlendorf picked up the win yesterday, but he has struggled with command early and sports an 8.22 ERA. Expect this to be a volatile committee which we will monitor closely going forward.
Updated hierarchy: *Cotham | Cingrani | Hoover.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — Joel Peralta took the seventh inning for the Mariners on Wednesday and picked up his second hold of the year. Tony Zych has been used mainly in longer relief, so Peralta takes his spot in the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Cishek | Benoit | Peralta.
Oakland A’s – As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Ryan Madson got the day off and it was Sean Doolittle who got the ball in the ninth to protect a three-run lead. He converted the save, throwing only eight pitches. This is still a committee in Oakland, but Madson has been the clear leader, taking the bulk of save opportunities in the early going.
Hierarchy remains: *Madson | Doolittle | Axford.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mark Lowe, Detroit Tigers – Francisco Rodriguez struggled in picking up the save yesterday, throwing 29 pitches and giving up a pair of home runs. He may get the day off.
2. Sam Dyson, Texas Rangers – Shawn Tolleson has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 36 pitches over that span.
