2017 Closer Monkey Donation Drive

It’s everyone’s favorite week of the year — the Closer Monkey Donation Drive! We know you’ve missed these heavyhanded pleas for the past 51 weeks of your life, so we’re thrilled to be bringing back one of our most popular features!

Seriously though, we’re grateful for any support that you’re willing to offer. In the early going, we made a decision that we’d never charge for this service, but we do have some pretty significant costs — we now send almost 5 million emails a year, which isn’t cheap, and we have to upgrade our server on an annual basis to accommodate extra traffic. (And there’s no end in sight for the latter, obviously, as we still briefly crashed a couple times yesterday. Our apologies if you weren’t able to access the site for a few minutes after an alert.)

So anyway, if we’ve helped you win some scratch in your league the last few years and you want to give something back, here are the ways you can support us:

1. Sign up for Premium. $20 gets you full text updates right in your inbox. No more clicking through to the site! (If you’re considering this, think about buying a hoodie, which comes with free Premium!)

2. Buy something. We have shirts, polos, and hoodies in our store. This week only: Buy a hoodie, get free Premium for a year!

3. Donate! There’s a PayPal button on the right sidebar of the desktop site.

Thanks as always. You guys are the best.

-The CM Team

Brad Ziegler may be ready to return from the DL and close for Miami

July 29, 2017

Miami Marlins — We told you last night that A.J. Ramos had been traded to Miami, that Junichi Tazawa was next in line for saves, and that Brad Ziegler would also be an option when he returned from the disabled list. In the wee hours of the morning, Marlins executive Michael Hill said that the 37-year-old Ziegler would be activated prior to Saturday’s game, making him the #1 option for saves going forward. Behind him are Tazawa and Drew Steckenrider, who has five saves at AAA this season. Kyle Barraclough is probably the best long-term bet once he returns from a shoulder injury.

Updated hierarchy:  Ziegler | Tazawa | Steckenrider.

New York Mets — Addison Reed’s days as a Met are numbered; the latest sign was the team’s acquisition of A.J. Ramos on Friday. Reed is a free agent at the end of the season, while Ramos is under team control through 2019 and could be a solid setup man for Jeurys Familia next season. Reed, who picked up his 19th save last night, will likely continue to close for the next few days. Familia recently began a throwing program, and manager Terry Collins said that he will be back this season. Expect another day or two of Reed, then a month or so of Ramos closing, before Familia finishes the year.

Updated hierarchy: Reed | Ramos | Blevins. 

Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon took the loss last night after giving up three runs in one-third of an inning. This was his third straight multi-run appearance, inflating his ERA to 12.41. Rondon still sports elite stuff, but his struggles can’t be ignored. With Justin Wilson likely to leave town, Shane Greene may be most likely to take over the closer’s role.

Updted hierarchy: J. Wilson | Greene | Rondon.

San Diego Padres — Brad Hand picked up his fourth save of the year and ordinarily would kick the committee asterisk. We’re going to keep it just a little longer, though, to account for the uncertainty that could follow if he’s traded. Both Phil Maton and Kirby Yates have been pitching very well and getting late-inning holds ahead of Hand. Maton is younger and could be the team’s closer of the future, while Yates has a better strikeout rate, but could be traded himself. Saturday’s game could be a useful signal, as Hand has gone in three straight. Note that Carter Capps will also be an option when he returns from AAA. If there’s a clear successor anointed, we’ll let you know, but for now, it looks like a continuing committee — unless Hand stays a Padre.

Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Maton | Yates.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — Bob Melvin seems to be committed to the committee approach, indicating before Friday’s game that Santiago Casilla would likely get the ninth inning with a lead. He also mentioned Ryan Dull and Frankie Montas — who gave up four walks in a two-inning outing last night — as contenders for the late innings. This competition seems to be wide open, so the next week could be crucial. We still like Treinen as the best arm, but there’s not a lot of clarity in the Bay Area right now.

Hierarchy remains: *Treinen | Casilla | Dull.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays acquired Steve Cishek in a trade that sent Erasmo Ramirez to Seattle. Cishek has been okay for the Mariners this year (3.15 ERA, 15:7 K/BB ratio), but we’re not ready to slot him above Tommy Hunter (1.93 ERA, 10.5 K/9) or Dan Jennings just yet.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Boxberger | Hunter.

Kansas City Royals — Joakim Soria pitched the eighth inning ahead of Kelvin Herrera last night. This was his fourth straight eighth-inning appearance and his sixth straight scoreless appearance. While Brandon Maurer is still in the late-inning mix, it appears that Soria remains the primary setup man in KC.

Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Soria | Maurer.

Minnesota Twins — Matt Belisle grabbed a four-out hold on Friday ahead of Brandon Kintzler, and has been used more often in high-leverage spots of late.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Rogers | Belisle.

Philadelphia Phillies — Up 8-3 in the eighth inning, the Phillies called on Joaquin Benoit with two outs and the bases loaded. After Benoit induced a flyout, he stayed on for the ninth to earn his second save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Neris | Garcia | Benoit. 

Houston Astros – Will Harris has come back from the disabled list and should return to high-leverage work.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Devenski | Harris.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Phil Maton/Kirby Yates — As noted, Hand has appeared in three straight games.
2. Taylor Rogers — Brandon Kintzler has gone in two of three (59 pitches).

Sunday:
1. Pedro Baez — Kenley Jansen has pitched in two of three.