Juan Minaya and Blake Parker shed the committee tag

September 3, 2017

Chicago White Sox — Juan Minaya picked up the save yesterday, his fourth since Tyler Clippard was traded in mid-August.  Minaya is clearly the closer for the White Sox right now so we will drop the asterisk, but we will see how long that lasts.  On Thursday, he blew the save by giving up two runs on two hits, two walks, and a walk off HBP with the bases loaded.  Last night, he picked up right where he left off by hitting the first batter of the inning and then giving up two hits to load the bases with no outs.  Minaya was able to get a double play and a strike out to convert the save last night, but if he keeps pitching like that, he might not be closing for long.  Danny Farquhar has a win and two holds in six appearances since joining the White Sox, and the veteran looks to be next in line for saves if Minaya struggles.

Updated hierarchy: Minaya | Farquhar | Infante.

Los Angeles Angels — Blake Parker pitched a perfect tenth inning last night for his fifth save of the season.  Parker has now recorded a save in each of his last four appearances, and has not allowed a hit in his last seven appearances.  We will drop the asterisk for the Angels as well since Parker has looked dominant in the closer’s role.

Updated hierarchy: Parker | Bedrosian | Petit.

Kansas City Royals — The Royals are not overly concerned about Kelvin Herrera’s injury.  He will likely miss a few games, but he should be back closing shortly.  Brandon Maurer and Mike Minor should take care of any save chances while Herrera is resting.

Hierarchy remains: Herrera | Maurer | Minor.

Miami Marlins — With Brad Ziegler and Kyle Barraclough unavailable yesterday after pitching in the previous two games, the Marlins turned to Drew Steckenrider.  Steckenrider struck out three batters in 1.1 innings en route to his first career save.

Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Barraclough | Steckenrider.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Daniel Hudson pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of closer Felipe Rivero yesterday for his 18th hold of the season.  The veteran righty should continue to see time in the later innings for the Pirates.

Updated hierarchy: Rivero | Schugel | Hudson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. David Hernandez – Fernando Rodney and Archie Bradley have both pitched in two straight and four of five.  Hernandez has pitched in two straight as well, but only threw 15 pitches.
2. C.J. Edwards – Wade Davis has gone in back-to-back games, throwing a total of 35 pitches.
3. Brandon Maurer – Kelvin Herrera is expected to miss a few games with a forearm strain.
4. Nick Vincent – Edwin Diaz has pitched in two straight, throwing 38 pitches.

Monday
1. Joe Smith – If Cody Allen pitches on Sunday, it will be three in a row.
2. David Robertson – Dellin Betances has pitched in two of three.
3. Mark Melancon – Sam Dyson has pitched in two straight.

 

Marlins to make decision Friday on Fernando Rodney’s role

July 1, 2016

Miami Marlins – The Marlins acquired San Diego closer Fernando Rodney on Thursday, but he did not play against the Braves. Manager Don Mattingly said he will announce his intentions with Rodney on Friday, but we believe he will stick with A.J. Ramos, who has converted 33 straight save opportunities, as his closer.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Rodney | Phelps.

San Diego Padres – The cupboard is pretty bare in San Diego after the departure of closer Fernando Rodney, but Ryan Buchter was named the primary set-up man in early June and we suspect he has the best shot to close for the Padres, who have yet to make any official announcement.

Updated hierarchy: Buchter | Villanueva | Quackenbush. 

Atlanta Braves – Recent call-up Mauricio Cabrera picked up his first career save for the Braves Thursday night after closer Arodys Vizcaino ran into some trouble in what was originally a non-save situation in the ninth. Vizcaino recorded two quick outs, but followed that by allowing two walks and an RBI single. Interim manager Brian Snitker then turned to Cabrera, who had never even pitched with the lead in his short career (two previous major league games). He was impressive, touching 102 mph on the radar gun in recording the final out. If Vizcaino gets traded, keep an eye on Cabrera.

Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Johnson | Cervenka.

Oakland A’s – Lefthanded setup man (and sometimes closer) Sean Doolittle has been placed on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury. Manager Bob Melvin said the pitcher will be shut down because of “subtle changes” in his labrum. An MRI Thursday showed inflammation in the shoulder. Doolittle, who had been considered a trade candidate, said there’s no specific timetable for when he will resume throwing and added that he was “frustrated.” No kidding. Ryan Dull (2.23 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 4 holds), who has pitched in wins in his last five appearances, slides into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Madson | Axford | Dull.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — The red-hot Indians have won 13 games in a row, which has meant a lot of work for closer Cody Allen, who has pitched in three straight. Shaw, meanwhile, has only gone in two straight.
2. Kevin Siegrist/Jonathan Broxton, St. Louis Cardinals — We’re pretty sure Seung Hwan Oh will get the bulk of the save chances moving forward, but it’s still a committee, and Siegrist or Broxton (but definitely not Trevor Rosenthal) could be called upon, too.

Huston Street headed to DL

April 28, 2016

Los Angeles Angels — Closer Huston Street suffered a strained oblique and is expected to be placed on the DL.  Joe Smith picked up the save last night, and should continue to see save chances while Street is out.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Salas | Alvarez.

New York Mets – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Addison Reed picked up his first save of the year protecting a three-run lead. Hansel Robles took the 8th inning ahead of Reed, and he retired the heart of the Reds’ lineup while striking out two. Robles has been taking the 7th inning recently, and while Jim Henderson has been solid in the early going, Robles has gotten the higher-leverage situations of late.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Reed | Robles.

Miami Marlins — AJ Ramos was unavailable after throwing in three straight games last night and the Vulture Save Watch predicted that David Phelps would get the save opportunity. However, it didn’t predict that he and manager Don Mattingly would be ejected from the game for arguing balls and strikes in the 8th inning. This left recently recalled Jose Urena to get out of a bases-loaded jam, which he did by striking out Yasiel Puig and getting a pop out from Adrian Gonzalez. Urena stuck around for the 9th and picked up his first career save. Urena is a converted starter, who was initially tagged for middle relief, but after this impressive outing he may find himself in higher-leverage situations quickly.

Hierarchy remains: Ramos | Phelps | Morris.

Detroit Tigers — Francisco Rodriguez was activated from the family medical emergency list, and immediately took the 9th inning in a five-run game. He pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts, and should see the next save opportunity.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | Lowe | J. Wilson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Hernandez, Philadelphia Phillies — Jeanmar Gomez has pitched in back-to-back games.

 

Trade Deadline Buy/Sell: National League

July 16, 2015

Special Update (Part 2 of 2 — click here for the American League)

—–
Glossary:
BUY+: This player has a strong chance (at least 50%) of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
BUY: This player has a small chance (at least 20%) of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
SELL: This player has a small chance (at least 20%) of losing his closer job by the trade deadline.
SELL+: This player has a large chance (at least 50%) of losing his closer job by the trade deadline.

TL;DR – NL relievers
BUY+: Ken Giles.
BUY: Jeremy Jeffress, Daniel Hudson, Tommy Kahnle, LaTroy Hawkins, Arodys Vizcaino.
SELL: Francisco Rodriguez, Jim Johnson, Jonathan Papelbon, Brad Ziegler, John Axford.
SELL+: None.
—–

NL East

Atlanta Braves – The Braves are more likely to sell than buy at the deadline given their position in both the NL East and Wild Card standings, and with Jason Grilli now out for the season, closer Jim Johnson is now the only reliever that will be on the trade block for the Braves. If the Braves do ship Johnson, Arodys Vizcaino is likely to get the first crack at the closer’s role. BUY: Arodys Vizcaino, SELL: Jim Johnson.

Miami Marlins – AJ Ramos has lots of team control left, and at super-cheap entry level prices it is hard to imagine Miami moving him. The Marlins definitely won’t be buyers, since they are out of it now. BUY/SELL: None.

New York Mets – The Mets are just two games back of Washington in the division and a lone game back in the Wild Card race, so they probably would be buyers if their bullpen was a big need. It isn’t, however, since Jeurys Familia has been great, Bobby Parnell is a solid backup and Jenrry Mejia is back from suspension. BUY/SELL: None.

Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon is the obvious trade target in the league, since he’s been begging for a trade almost every day and is tired of waiting. He can block any trade, and he wants to go to a contender, so he’s not really a big sell candidate because he would probably be a closer wherever he went. The rumors are to the Cubs (probable closer), the Blue Jays (definite closer), the Rangers (probably would supplant Tolleson, as good as he’s been) and the Dodgers or Angels (maybe not over Jansen or Street). Ken Giles is the major beneficiary, and he has been really good this year. BUY+: Ken Giles, SELL: Jonathan Papelbon.

Washington Nationals – Drew Storen has been solid, but the rest of the bullpen has been less effective. The Nationals want to win this year, so it’s not out of the question that the Nats could go after a huge name to supplant Storen and knock him to the 8th inning, given them a really solid 1-2-3. However, it’s likely that Washington will go with Storen as its closer in the chase for the NL East title. BUY/SELL: None.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs definitely could be looking for bullpen help, specifically Jonathan Papelbon. Motte has been good since leading the committee, but they have been linked to Papelbon pretty heavily, and any good-to-great reliever would likely take over the 9th inning in Chicago. The Cubs are still playing for this year, so they could make moves, but they may be more concerned with starting pitching rather than the bullpen, where there are plenty of arms, including Rafael Soriano, who may join the roster after the All-Star break. BUY/SELL: None.

Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman is going to be expensive when his deal ends after this season, but Cincinnati doesn’t mind spending money despite calling themselves small market. The Reds likely won’t deal him, and if they did, he’d be the closer wherever he went. BUY/SELL: None.

Milwaukee Brewers – K-Rod is likely going to be on the move. He will probably close wherever he goes, but this opens the door for Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith. The problem is K-Rod’s backloaded contract, with a lot of money tied up for next year if anybody takes him. It takes two to make a trade, and with a year left on his deal, the Brewers may not have anywhere to move him. BUY: Jeremy Jeffress, SELL: Francisco Rodriguez.

Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates lead the NL Wild Card by 5.5 games and Mark Melancon put together an All-Star campaign in the first half of the season. BUY/SELL: None.

St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has been great for the Cardinals, though he was scratched from the All-Star roster due to arm soreness.The NL Central leaders won’t be looking for any bullpen help during the stretch drive. BUY/SELL: None.

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks – Brad Ziegler is entrenched as the closer, but he only has a one-year club option on his deal. This is about as attractive as a trade contract can get. Not a true rental, but if you want it to be it can be. If Arizona sells (and a poor start after the All-Star break could be the tipping point), they would probably deal Ziegler. Daniel Hudson would be the beneficiary, with Enrique Burgos also potentially getting some chances. BUY: Daniel Hudson, SELL: Brad Ziegler.

Colorado Rockies – The Rockies are 8.5 games back in the Wild Card, and John Axford is an attractive trade target thanks to his friendly contract. However, the Rockies may want to keep him for the final year of his deal, despite Axford being eligible for a raise through arbitration. If Axford is dealt, Tommy Kahnle and LaTroy Hawkins are the two choices for manager Walt Weiss. BUY: Tommy Kahnle and LaTroy Hawkins, SELL: John Axford.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen is too good to be replaced and the Dodgers are too good to deal him. BUY/SELL: None.

San Diego Padres – The Padres aren’t ready to blow up their team yet, though Craig Kimbrel has been linked to the Yankees by ESPN’s Buster Olney. If the Yankees indeed want to add Kimbrel to their already deep bullpen, it won’t be cheap, as Kimbrel is signd through 2017 at lots of money. If the Padres deal set-up man Joaquin Benoit, he won’t close wherever he goes. BUY/SELL: None.

San Francisco Giants – The defending champions are just two games out of the final Wild Card spot and won’t be hunting for another closer to replace an up-and-down Santiago Casilla. BUY/SELL: None.

 

Brett Cecil collects first save; Edward Mujica struggles

April 29, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays –After being named the Blue Jays’ closer early Tuesday, Brett Cecil picked up his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Cecil | Osuna | Loup.

Boston Red Sox –Not only was Edward Mujica awful on Tuesday, but he was awful in the fourth inning. He balked twice and allowed three runs. Even though Junichi Tazawa has now allowed a home run in each of his last two appearances, he’s been the only decent option out of the Sox ‘pen in front of Uehara this season. Mujica may be designated for assignment thanks to zero saves, zero holds and a 6.30 ERA.

Updated hierarchy: Uehara | Tazawa | Ogando.

New York Yankees –Don’t Panic, Yankees fans. In a game that seemed to move at the Speed of Sound under A Sky Full of Stars, Chris Martin made sure there was no ninth-inning Trouble and recorded his first career save. Both Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances had pitched in back-to-back games.

Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Martin.

Miami Marlins — After a horrible outing on Monday and a sleepless night, Steve Cishek bounced back Tuesday to pick up just his second save of the season. He says his velocity is down “a tick” but that he “starts slowly during the first month of the season”. As April turns into May, Cishek owners hope he can pick up speed and avoid the Hot Seat.

Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Ramos | Dunn.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins — Steve Cishek has pitched in three straight and four out of five.
2. Danny Farquhar, Seattle Mariners — Fernando Rodney has thrown in three consecutive games.
3. Pedro Baez/Chris Hatcher, Los Angeles Dodgers –It could be anybody on any given night in LA.