Mariners trade closer Paul Sewald to Diamondbacks

July 31, 2023

Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks have traded for closer Paul Sewald. We figure he’ll hold the same role in an Arizona bullpen that has had trouble finding ninth-inning stability, distributing at least three saves to four different pitchers (Kevin Ginkel, Andrew Chafin, Miguel Castro and Scott McGough).

Updated hierarchy: Sewald | Ginkel | Chafin.

Seattle Mariners – The Andres Munoz era has begun in Seattle. The Mariners traded closer Paul Sewald to the Diamondbacks and will likely hand the reins over to Munoz, who has a 2.96 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and 12.2 K/9 in 24 games this season.

Updated hierarchy: Munoz | Topa | Brash.

Hicks on his way to Toronto and some post-trade shakeups.

July 31, 2023
Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays bolstered their bullpen on Sunday picking up Jordan Hicks from the St. Louis Cardinals. Hicks will take his 100+ MPH fastball north of the border and is likely to be the first choice for Toronto as long as Jordan Romano is out. We do think Romano will return to the closers spot when he is off the IL, so this move is probably a hit to Hicks’ long term value, but he may work his way into a committee if he can string together some solid performances early. 

Updated hierarchy: Hicks | Swanson | Garcia.
*=closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — The Cardinals have begun the firesale, moving closer Jordan Hicks to Toronto and also sending Chris Stratton to the Texas Rangers. This leaves Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero as the top options for the Cardinals right now. Gallegos pitched 2 scoreless innings yesterday, and Romero pitched the 9th for his first career save. Gallegos certainly has more experience, but Romero has been excellent for the past couple weeks, and given that he got the first save, we will slot him into the top spot in a committee for now. As we noted in our trade deadline preview, keep an eye on Ryan Helsley, who has begun throwing off a mound, and may walk into a cleared out bullpen in early August. 

Updated hierarchy: *Gallegos | Romero | Pallante.
* = closer-by-committee

July 31, 2023
New York Mets – The second save after the David Robertson trade went also to Brooks Raley, who pitched a clean 9th for his 3rd save on the year. Adam Ottavino had gotten the last 2 outs of the 8th right ahead of him. Two in a row is enough to get the leader of the committee tag, but Ottavino is riding a 6 game scoreless streak right now, so he may get the next opportunity. 

Updated hierarchy: *Raley | Ottavino | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals – Our pick for the vulture save last night, Dylan Coleman, got the 8th inning, leaving the vulture save to Carlos Hernandez. Hernandez converted for his first career save. Hernandez has proven himself as a valuable handcuff for Scott Barlow, but with tomorrow’s deadline looming he may be a closer sooner rather than later. 

Hierarchy remains: Barlow | Hernandez | Clarke.

Vulture Save Watch:

  1. Jose Soriano (LAA) — Carlos Estevez and Matt Moore both had long outings yesterday and may get the night off.
  2. Nick Martinez (SD) – Josh Hader has thrown 49 pitches over the past 2 days.
  3. Taylor Rogers (SF) — Both Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers had long outings yesterday and have now pitched back to back.

For Tuesday

  1. Kirby Yates/Joe Jimenez (ATL) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for the entire Atlanta hierarchy.
  2. Gregory Soto/Seranthony Dominguez (PHI) — The same is true for Philadelphia.

Jordan Hicks traded from Cardinals to Blue Jays

July 30, 2023

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays acquired Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals.  Hicks was one of the best relief arms on the market and we will slide him to the top of this committee while Romano is out.

Updated hierarchy: Hicks | Swanson | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — The Cardinals have traded Jordan Hicks to the Blue Jays.  With Hicks gone, expect a committee including Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero until Ryan Helsley can return.

Updated hierarchy: *Gallegos | Romero | Pallante.
* = closer-by-committee

Jordan Romano hits the IL with back inflammation

July 30, 2023

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays placed All-star closer Jordan Romano on the IL with back inflammation.   The Blue Jays will mix and match while Romano is out but Erik Swanson and Yimi Garcia will likely be primary sources for saves while Romano is out.

Updated hierarchy: *Swanson | Garcia | Mayza.
*=closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks – Scott McGough came on for the last out of the 9th inning to pick up his 8th save of the season.  Kevin Ginkel retired the 4-5-6 hitters in the 8th inning of a tie game and ended up with the win.   Ginkel came back for the first out of the 9th inning before Andrew Chafin came on and got one out.  That left McGough for the final out.

Hierarchy remains: *Ginkel | Chafin | Castro.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – Evan Phillips recorded the final four outs of the Dodgers’ 3-2 victory yesterday to pick up his 13th save of the season.  It was only Phillips’ second save in July but he is still the best bet for a save on any given night for the Dodgers.

Hierarchy remains: *Phillips | Graterol | Ferguson.
* = closer-by-committee

Vulture Save Watch
Today
1. Chris Martin (BOS) – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Dylan Coleman (KC) – The entire Royals hierarchy has pitched in two straight.
3. Colin Holderman (PIT) – David Bednar threw 31 pitches yesterday

Monday
1. Tyler Rogers (SF) – If Camilo Doval pitches today, it will be two straight, including 25 pitches yesterday.