Dellin Betances getting worked to death

September 16, 2016

New York Yankees – The “D” in the former “No Runs DMC” trio has had a rough couple of days, culminating in a disastrous outing Thursday that could cost the Yankees a chance at making the playoffs. Dellin Betances was not called upon to begin the ninth when the Yankees had a 5-2 lead over the Red Sox, as Joe Girardi was hoping to avoid using him. Instead of turning to Tyler Clippard as the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Girardi tried playing the matchups. He went to Tommy Layne to start the 9th. With one out, Girardi brought in Blake Parker, who hit Chris Young and was pulled. He then brought in Betances anyway, and things began to unravel. Betances walked Dustin Pedroia and got the second out when Young was thrown out at home. After allowing RBI singles to David Ortiz and Mookie Betts, he yielded a walk-off 3-run shot to Hanley Ramirez. Ugly. He’s certainly going to need some rest this weekend for you Tyler Clippard owners.

Hierarchy remains: Betances | Clippard | Warren.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Patrick Corbin tossed the last three innings of Arizona’s 7-3 win over the Dodgers to earn a vulture save, his first of the season and second of his career. He probably won’t get another save chance the rest of the season, but with this sorry group of relievers, who really knows?

Hierarchy remains: *Hudson | Delgado | Barrett.
*closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – Former closer Trevor Rosenthal was activated from the disabled list (inflammation in his throwing shoulder) Thursday. With the Cardinals in the playoff race, it’ll be interesting to see how Rosenthal factors in with just a couple of weeks left. Meanwhile, the team has been mute on the status of closer Seung Hwan Oh, who is battling a sore groin. Expect Kevin Siegrist to fill in if Oh needs more time.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Siegrist | Bowman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard, New York Yankees – Dellin Betances has pitched in three straight, including taking losses Wednesday and Thursday.
2. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Seung Hwan Oh has been battling groin soreness and hasn’t pitched since last Friday. Siegrist gets the next save chance if Oh can’t go.

Thanks, Chip Hale, for reading Closer Monkey

August 26, 2016

Arizona Diamondbacks — Arizona is home to the worst bullpen in the major leagues (5.19 ERA) without anyone good enough to be considered a closer. Manager Chip Hale is searching for answers. Clearly, he must be a Closer Monkey subscriber as we pointed out yesterday that Daniel Hudson — he of 11 straight scoreless outings, including Thursday — and Randall Delgado (12 straight scoreless outings) were the likely next candidates for a D-Backs save. Hours later, Hale announced as much to reporters.

Hierarchy remains: *Hudson | Delgado | Barrett.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — Congratulations to Enny Romero, who picked up the first save of his major league career Thursday when he struck out a pinch-hitting David Ortiz to end things against the Red Sox. While the Vulture Save Watch correctly predicted a night off for Alex Colome, manager Kevin Cash played the matchups. He went with Tyler Sturdevant to start the ninth and Romero to end it, as his other late-inning options (Xavier Cedeno, Brad Boxberger) each pitched in two straight and needed a breather.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Cedeno | Boxberger.

Los Angeles Angels – Injured closer Cam Bedrosian — originally on the shelf with middle finger tendinitis —  was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right arm, putting his season in jeopardy. Further examination by a vascular specialist is scheduled to determine the severity of the issue.

Hierarchy remains: Salas | Ramirez | Guerra. 

Boston Red Sox — Converted starter Clay Buchholz has been sent back to the bullpen after a pair of quality spot starts. Now that he’s pitching much better (2.37 ERA in 19 August innings), there has been chatter in Boston about the righty’s role in a not-so-great bullpen. Could he slide into a cushy role in the 7th or 8th innings?

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Ziegler | Barnes.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Any warm body, Arizona Diamondbacks — Our best bet is it’s Daniel Hudson’s job, for now. He pitched a scoreless ninth Thursday with a two-run deficit. If it’s not Hudson, keep an eye on Randall Delgado.
2. A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins –What are Don Mattingly’s plans for the closer role? He has used Ramos and Fernando Rodney recently, even suggesting Rodney could close most games the rest of the way. Nothing official has been announced by the team.

Another save for Cody Allen

August 17, 2016

Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen owners can keep rejoicing, as their man picked up another save for Cleveland on Tuesday. Andrew Miller perhaps was more impressive, however, as he mowed down the 9-through-5 hitters on just 16 pitches in the seventh and eighth innings. Terry Francona remains committed to using Miller against the best batters and frustrating Miller owners everywhere.

Hierarchy remains: *Allen | Miller | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels — After losing 11 games in a row, the Angels finally picked up a win. That meant that Fernando Salas finally picked up a save, his third of the season. Meanwhile, there is no timetable for the return of either Cam Bedrosian or Huston Street.

Hierarchy remains: *Salas | Ramirez | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jake McGee, Colorado Rockies – Both Adam Ottavino and Boone Logan have pitched in back-to-back games, while McGee is well-rested.
2. Jeremy Jeffress, Texas Rangers – Sam Dyson has thrown 35 pitches over the last two days.

Trade Deadline Buy/Sell: American League

July 13, 2016

Special Update (Part 1 of 2 — check back tomorrow for the National 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 – AL relievers
BUY+: Andrew Miller.
BUY: Dellin Betances; Trevor May; Cam Bedrosian; Ryan Dull.
SELL: Koji Uehara; Brandon Kintzler; Huston Street; Ryan Madson.
SELL+: Sam Dyson.
—–

AL East

Baltimore Orioles — The first-place Orioles have one of the best bullpens in the American League, and are not expected to make any moves. Ace set-up man Darren O’Day will rejoin the team over the weekend, although he has no timeline yet to return to the mound. BUY/SELL: None.

Boston Red Sox — Our first draft of this blurb advised that Boston might trade for middle relief help like Brad Ziegler. Now that the submariner calls Fenway home, GM Dave Dombrowski said that the bullpen was “pretty well set.” Craig Kimbrel’s prolonged absence might make him reconsider, however; the team’s current closer and top set-up guy were each born in the 1970s. An internal option to bolster the relief corps is 23-year-old Chandler Shepherd, who has excelled at Portland and Pawtucket this season. SELL: Koji Uehara.

New York Yankees — The Yankees hit the .500 mark in their final game before the break, and they continue to debate whether to buy or sell on the trade market. Whether they can contend this year or not, breaking up their ostentatious bullpen seems necessary — there are too many holes in the walls to keep the Lamborghini. If either Aroldis Chapman or Andrew Miller is traded, Miller seems a lock to close somewhere. In the unlikely event that both men go, Dellin Betances will get his shot. BUY+: Andrew Miller, BUY: Dellin Betances.

Tampa Bay Rays — All-Star Alex Colome has been one of the only bright spots in a truly dismal season for the Rays. The team might move one of their lefthanded set-up men, but that’s not going to impact anyone’s ninth. BUY/SELL: None.

Toronto Blue Jays — Toronto moved early, acquiring Jason Grilli from Atlanta way back in June. Although they might still be in the market to buy (Brandon Kintzler) or sell (Drew Storen) a middle reliever, Roberto Osuna’s job is safe. It seems likely that the impact set-up man the Jays will count on most down the stretch is currently their best starter. BUY/SELL: None.

AL Central

Chicago White Sox — After a great start, the Sox are scuffling near the .500 mark. If the team decides to reinforce the bullpen, it’s not likely that they bring in a name big enough to unseat David Robertson. BUY/SELL: None.

Cleveland Indians — Cleveland has opened up a 6.5-game lead in the division, and Cody Allen is a fixture in the closer role. BUY/SELL: None.

Detroit Tigers — The Tigers are happy with their bullpen, including the rejuvenated Bruce Rondon and the ageless K-Rod — who has a real chance to retire holding the career saves record. BUY/SELL: None.

Kansas City Royals — Kansas City’s bullpen is as dominant as ever (2.95 ERA in relief), and Wade Davis expects to return after the minimum 15-day stay on the disabled list. BUY/SELL: None.

Minnesota Twins — Brandon Kintzler has gotten some attention lately, and even manager Paul Molitor has admitted that his closer might be headed out the door. With arbitration-eligible lefty Fernando Abad also a trade target, it’s converted starter Trevor May who could stand to benefit most from a possible fire sale. BUY: Trevor May, SELL: Brandon Kintzler. 

AL West

Houston Astros — Houston is in the thick of the wild card race and has a surprisingly impressive bullpen (4.75 K-BB ratio!) to thank for it. If life were a baseball sim, the team might consider flipping Will Harris before he reverts to the mean, but it’s not. Life is a location-based augmented-reality game sometimes played on a baseball field. BUY/SELL: None.

Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street’s injuries and struggles have depressed his market, but a move isn’t entirely out of the question. Joe Smith is also a possibility to be traded in what has become a lost season for the Angels. BUY: Cam Bedrosian, SELL: Huston Street.

Oakland Athletics — Ryan Dull’s impressive season could encourage the A’s to move expensive Ryan Madson to a contender. BUY: Ryan Dull, SELL: Ryan Madson.

Seattle Mariners — If Seattle is going to make a push for the playoffs, they might consider an upgrade at closer — although it’s unlikely that they have the prospects needed to get that kind of return. In any event, Steve Cishek’s peripherals are still solid, and we don’t think the Mariners are going to give up on him yet. Joaquin Benoit is more likely to see a change of scenery. BUY/SELL: None.

Texas Rangers — By any metric, the Rangers have the worst bullpen in the American League, a fact they desperately want to change before October. Although Keone Kela should return this week, Texas could be in the market for someone like Jeremy Jeffress, Will Smith, or even Andrew Miller. SELL+: Sam Dyson.

Jake McGee to return this Saturday for the Rockies

June 30, 2016

Colorado Rockies — After two rehab outings, Jake McGee is expected to return from the disabled list on Saturday — but Walt Weiss refused to commit to a set role for the lefthander going forward, calling the Rockies’ bullpen situation “ever-evolving.” If Gigalith hits the hierarchy, don’t say he didn’t warn you.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Motte | Germen.

Philadelphia Phillies — Just a few days removed from entering a game in the fourth inning, Brett Oberholtzer was called on in the tenth to earn his first career save. Jeanmar Gomez and Hector Neris had already pitched, and David Hernandez was coming off a lengthy outing on Tuesday. Although Oberholtzer doesn’t project to make a difference going forward, Edubray Ramos is a name worth watching. Pete Mackanin has already described him as a future closer, and he could get a shot if Gomez is traded next month.

Hierarchy remains: Gomez | Neris | Hernandez.

Chicago White Sox — Nate Jones earned a save by retiring one batter with the tying run at the plate, avoiding the indignity of Chicago losing a game they led 9-1 at the start of the ninth.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Jones | Duke.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Felipe Rivero, Washington Nationals — Shawn Kelley has pitched in three of four (63 pitches).
2. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna threw 29 pitches on Tuesday, his second straight day of work.
3. Jake Diekman, Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson was a key part of a six-run bullpen implosion on Wednesday, giving up the tying and winning home runs. He might get a day off to clear his head.
4. Kevin Siegrist/Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals — The Cardinals are in a committee situation, and leader Seung Hwan Oh has thrown over 20 pitches on consecutive days. Many of their pitchers have had similar recent workloads, so there’s an outside chance they give Rosenthal another shot at a save.