Greg Holland to close in KC; deadline moves affect hierarchies for Reds, Cardinals

August 1, 2012

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds acquired Royals closer Jonathan Broxton on Tuesday.  Aroldis Chapman will remain the closer, while Broxton will share the 8th inning role with Sean Marshall.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to 2nd in line, replacing Logan Ondrusek.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Broxton |Madson |8/1/12

 
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals acquired Edward Mujica from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.  Mujica will likely pitch the 7th inning for the Cardinals, which is a role they’ve been trying to fill all season.  Hierarchy change: Edward Mujica to 2nd in line, replacing Victor Marte.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Marte |Motte |8/1/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs was placed on the DL prior to Tuesday’s game.  With a 4-run lead, Kevin Jepsen got out of a jam in the 7th inning before giving way to Jason Isringhausen for the 8th.  Ernesto Frieri pitched the 9th in a non-save situation.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to Set-up, Jason Isringhausen to 2nd in line, Scott Downs to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Jepsen |Isringhausen|Walden |8/1/12 |Downs(DL) |

 
Boston Red Sox – Franklin Morales got a 1-out save in the 6th inning on Tuesday, retiring a hitter before the tarp came out.  The game was never resumed, and Morales was awarded one of the more bogus saves of the season.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Padilla |Miller |Bailey |8/1/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
San Francisco Giants – After pitching three of the last four games, including a blown save on Monday, Santiago Casilla was given the night off.  In a 3-run game, Jeremy Affeldt pitched the last two innings for his second save of the year.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |8/1/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Kansas City Royals – The Royals have traded closer Jonathan Broxton to the Cincinnati Reds, where he will serve as a set-up man.  Greg Holland will inherit the closer job in Kansas City, said Royals manager Ned Yost, though Aaron Crow will be nipping at Holland’s heels if he struggles.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Closer, Aaron Crow to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Crow |Herrera |Holland |7/31/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Santiago Casilla’s struggles continue; Charlie Furbush hits the DL

July 19, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla continues to struggle, allowing two runs in the 10th inning last night before being bailed out by the Giants’ offense the next inning.  He’s now blown 5 of his last 8 saves and remains firmly on the Hot Seat, as the Giants are reportedly testing the trade market for relievers.  “We need him whether we make an adjustment or not,” Bruce Bochy told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I can’t answer that now. But there comes a time with every player when you have to change it up.”  Despite the demands from fans, it’s still unlikely that Sergio Romo becomes a full-time closer this year, as the Giants don’t want him to pitch too frequently for fear he re-aggravates an injury.  If Casilla is demoted, however, Romo could share the 9th inning role with Jeremy Affeldt.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |7/19/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Seattle Mariners – Charlie Furbush was placed on the DL yesterday with a strained triceps.  Lefthander Lucas Luetge (1.46 ERA) will move into Furbush’s late-inning role.  Hierarchy change: Lucas Luetge to 2nd in line, Charlie Furbush to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |League |Luetge |Wilhelmsen |7/19/12 |Furbush(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has given up three HRs and 5 ERs over the last two days.  His job is not in jeopardy yet, but he could be given the day off today.
2. Sergio Romo/Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants – After Casilla’s latest outing, he may be given the day off today.  Sergio Romo or Jeremy Affeldt would be candidates to clos ein his place.
3. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn have each picked up one save.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.
4. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Sergio Romo picks up another save

July 7, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo picked up his 5th save of the season last night as Santiago Casilla was unavailable due to a blister.  Manager Bruce Bochy said before Friday’s game that he was not considering a change at closer, and Romo came out after the game and also said that the closer job was still Casilla’s.  However, Casilla has struggled lately, giving up 6 runs and 11 hits over his last 4.1 innings.  Romo could see more save opportunities going forward, but it is unlikely that he would ever become the full time closer this season, as the Giants are limiting his workload to keep him from reinjuring his knee or elbow. He’s only pitched on three consecutive nights once this season.   Hierarchy change: Sergio Romo to Set-up, Jeremy Affeldt to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF  |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |7/7/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched in four straight games and six of the last seven.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – With the Twins employing a true platoon, Jared Burton could get the save opp if there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning due up.
3. Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched in three straight games.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aaron Crow now the set-up man in Kansas City
 
 
June 28, 2012
San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo picked up his fourth save of the season on Wednesday.  Both Santiago Casilla and Jeremy Affeldt had pitched the night before, and in 4 of the last 5.  No hierarchy change.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Affeldt |Romo |Wilson |6/28/12 |Wilson(DL) |
 
Kansas City Royals – Aaron Crow finished the 8th inning yesterday, keeping the game tied and eventually earning a win when the Royals scored in the bottom half.  On Tuesday, he pitched the 8th inning with the Royals ahead by 2 runs.  Greg Holland has struggled over the past two weeks, allowing 11 baserunners in his last 3.1 innings.  Hierarchy change: Aaron Crow to Set-up, Greg Holland to 2nd in line. 
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Crow |Holland |Broxton |6/28/12 |Soria(DL) |
 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Rafael Soriano threw 30 pitches in earning the save last night, and has now pitched in four of the last five games.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shawn Camp, Jeremy Affeldt ascending
 
 
June 27, 2012
Chicago Cubs – Shawn Camp pitched 1.1 innings on Tuesday, finishing the 7th and 8th innings ahead of Carlos Marmol.  James Russell’s usage lately has been sporadic, as he’s often pitched in blowouts, or early in games, as he did yesterday.  Hierarchy change: Shawn Camp to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line. 
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Camp |Russell |Marmol |6/27/12
 
San Francisco Giants – Yesterday, Jeremy Affeldt pitched the 8th inning ahead of Santiago Casilla for the third time in the last four days.  To be frank, Affeldt is not as good as Sergio Romo.  But he does have more experience as a closer, and based on his recent usage, Bruce Bochy would probably promote the lefty to the 9th inning role if anything were to happen to Santiago Casilla.  Hierarchy change: Jeremy Affeldt to Set-up, Sergio Romo to 2nd in line.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Affeldt |Romo |Wilson |6/27/12 |Wilson(DL) |
 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – With with the Twins employing a true platoon, Jared Burton could get the save opp if there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning due up.
2. Brandon Lyon, Houston Astros – Brett Myers has pitched in three straight.