July 21, 2018
New York Mets — Robert Gsellman picked up a two-inning save against the Yankees on Friday night, as Jeurys Familia was held out of the game because a trade was close to finalized. Oakland is the most likely landing spot for Familia if the two sides can complete the deal. While trade negotiations can always fall apart, this move seems imminent, and you should grab Gsellman right now if he is available. Don’t be surprised when an alert hits later today that Familia has been traded.
Hierarchy remains: Familia | Gsellman | Swarzak.
Cleveland Indians — Terry Francona indicated that after the trade to acquire Brad Hand, Cleveland will still use Cody Allen as the primary closer, but that matchups will determine who gets the ball on any given night. During Friday’s game, Hand was brought on to protect a three-run lead with one out and one on in the 7th, and he did his best Andrew Miller impression by immediately allowing a homer. Hand got out of the inning and stuck around for a single out in the 8th before the other new acquisition, Adam Cimber, finished up the frame for his first hold with Cleveland. After Allen blew the save in the 9th, Zach McAllister was next for Cleveland and gave up three straight singles before recording three straight outs for a self-imposed Houdini. Eventually, Dan Otero pitched a perfect 11th for his first save of the year. Despite all the fireworks, we believe that Francona will stick with his plan of using Allen as the closer most of the time while Hand will be used in high-leverage spots whenever the matchups are best, which may include the 9th.
Hierarchy remains: Allen | Hand | Ramirez.
Atlanta Braves — A.J. Minter pitched a perfect 9th on Friday to pick up his fifth save of the year. Minter has the last three saves for the Braves, and is close to kicking the asterisk of the Atlanta committee. Dan Winkler has still been effective, but has mostly seen the 8th inning in recent weeks. The Braves have not announced a timeline for Arodys Vizcaino’s return, making Minter the best option for saves in the near future.
Hierarchy remains: *Minter | Winkler | Carle.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins — Kyle Barraclough was out due to illness, so the Marlins turned to Javy Guerra to start the 9th inning with a five-run lead. He got an out, but left the bases loaded for Drew Steckenrider, who gave up a bases-clearing triple followed by a sac fly to make it a one-run game. Adam Conley then came in and shut the door for his first career save. Barraclough may be unavailable tonight as well and has been mentioned as a potential trade target, but as you can see in our trade deadline article, it will take a high price to pull Barraclough from the Marlins.
Hierarchy remains: Barraclough | Steckenrider | Ziegler.
Colorado Rockies — Adam Ottavino got the last out of the 8th inning and stuck around for the 9th to record his third save of the year. Wade Davis was recovering from an illness and had been sent back to the hotel prior to the game. Bud Black did not indicate how serious the illness was, so we expect Davis to be day-to-day going forward.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Ottavino | McGee.
Kansas City Royals – With a four-run lead going into the 9th, the Royals brought out Wily Peralta to finish the game. Peralta stuggled, loading the bases before giving up back-to-back RBI groundouts. He then gave way to Brandon Maurer, who walked in another run but got a flyout to end the game and earn his first save of the year. Peralta had looked like he was ready to take the closer’s role for good, but we’ll see how the Royals proceed after last night’s struggles.
Hierarchy remains: *Peralta | McCarthy | Maurer.
* = closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Tyler Clippard blew another save last night, giving up three runs thanks to two homers in the 9th. Ryan Tepera struck out the only batter he faced to get out of the inning with the score tied, and the Blue Jays won in extra innings. This is Clippard’s second straight blown save and and sixth of the year. With Seung Hwan Oh and Tepera both pitching well, it is hard to see how Clippard gets another save opportunity. However, we’ve said that in the past and he was still out there last night.
Hierarchy remains: *Oh | Tepera | Clippard.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Robert Gsellman/Anthony Swarzak — Jeurys Familia should be traded today, and Gsellman threw 44 pitches last night.
2. Drew Steckenrider — Kyle Barraclough is still recovering from an illness and may need another day off.
3. Adam Ottavino/Jake McGee — The same is true of Wade Davis. Ottavino threw 27 pitches last night, so he may get a breather as well.
Sunday:
1. Brad Hand — Cody Allen threw 28 pitches last night so another long outing could mean he gets Sunday off.
