Chris Martin traded to Braves

July 30, 2019

Texas Rangers – The Rangers traded Chris Martin to the Braves. Jose Leclerc should now be the team’s primary option for saves.

Updated hierarchy: Leclerc | B.Martin. | Chavez.

Atlanta Braves – The Braves acquired Chris Martin from the Rangers, which means the struggling Luke Jackson now has some more competition for the closer’s role. We won’t remove Jackson from the top of the hierarchy just yet, but this looks like it will be a committee that Martin plays an important role in.

Updated hierarchy: *Jackson | Martin | Swarzak.

A deeper look at Nick Anderson and Jarlin Garcia

July 30, 2019

Miami Marlins – A Monday with zero saves recorded across all of MLB gives us a chance to dive a little deeper into the Marlins recent bullpen usage. Don Mattingly said over the weekend that Nick Anderson had the “most dominant stuff” in the bullpen and that he would likely be used against the heart of the lineup regardless of what inning it is; Mattingly proceeded to use Anderson in the 8th inning of a four-run game on Sunday, and then summoned him for the last out of the game last night, in a game the Marlins were leading by five, but where the Diamondbacks had two runners on base. (Anderson got out of the jam, leading to this epic tweet from the Marlins.) Jarlin Garcia, meanwhile, got the 9th inning on Sunday and was held out of yesterday’s game and is working on a run of 18 straight scoreless innings (14 Ks vs 2 BBs in that span). We’ll continue to watch this one closely, as Mattingly is no stranger to the “relief ace who isn’t the closer” role, having used Kyle Barraclough in that position for the better part of 2016 and 2017. A darkhorse is converted starter Trevor Richards, who was just moved to the bullpen last week.

Hierarchy remains: *Garcia | Anderson | Quijada.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Tomorrow
1. Fernando Rodney – Sean Doolittle threw 22 pitches (23 if this counts) last night; an extended outing tonight might mean he’s off tomorrow.