July 25, 2016
Chicago Cubs – It’s been widely reported that Aroldis Chapman is likely on his way to the Cubs in exchange for megaprospect Gleyber Torres, though the two clubs are still working out details and the deal hasn’t been finalized yet. Chapman is one of only a handful of relievers in the league that would displace Hector Rondon, who is having a great year, but if you read the NL Buy/Sell post, then hopefully you saw this coming and dealt him before the news broke yesterday. We’ll send an alert if and when the deal is finalized. In other Cubs news, Joe Nathan recently joined the big league club and picked up a win in his first outing, striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Strop | Wood.
New York Yankees – The Yankees are likely to hold on to Andrew Miller unless they’re absolutely blown away by a deal. The lefty remains under team control until 2018 and will likely close for the Yankees for the duration of his contract. If he’s somehow available in your league, grab him immediately. Dellin Betances also appears unlikely to be moved.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Miller | Betances.
Baltimore Orioles – Set-up man Darren O’Day returned from the disabled list yesterday and was immediately thrust into a high-leverage situation, as he was summoned in the 9th inning of a tie game. O’Day struck out all three hitters he faced and earned the win when the Orioles walked off. Initially, we thought he might be eased back into his role, but after a performance like that — and with Brad Brach allowing runs in back to back games this weekend — we’re going to slot O’Day right back into his old position behind Zach Britton.
Updated hierarchy: Britton | O’Day | Brach.
Chicago White Sox – It was an eventful day for the White Sox bullpen, especially for closer David Robertson, who managed to pick up wins in both Saturday’s suspended game and Sunday. In the first game — in which the White Sox started Matt Albers in place of the suspended Chris Sale and followed him with five other relievers — Robertson did his job, keeping the game tied in the 9th inning and earning the victory when the White Sox walked off. In the second game, he did the opposite of his job, allowing three home runs and blowing the game, only to pick up the win when the White Sox rallied — a first in the modern era. Baseball is strange.
Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Jones | Duke.
Toronto Blue Jays — Drew Storen was designated for assignment by Toronto on Sunday; it seems he will be relevant at this year’s trade deadline only as a cautionary tale. Brett Cecil continues to struggle, so we’ll give the nod to Joe Biagini for now.
Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Grilli | Biagini.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Zach Duke, Chicago White Sox – Sunday’s doubleheader chewed through the White Sox bullpen, and Duke is better rested than David Robertson and Nate Jones.
