Adam Ottavino could get save chances soon

July 29, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays – After notching his fifth post-All-Star-Break save on Monday, Jake McGee has now closed out Tampa victories in six of his last seven appearances. Will he get every opportunity for the surging Rays the rest of the way? With Joe Maddon around, probably not. But if he’s getting 86% of the save chances, that’s good enough to kick our closer-by-committee asterisk for the time being.

Hierarchy remains: McGee | Boxberger | Balfour.

Colorado Rockies – Trade rumors are swirling around Rockies closer LaTroy Hawkins, and since it’s extremely unlikely that he closes should he land somewhere like Pittsburgh, the fantasy spotlight has turned to what he’ll be leaving behind in the Colorado bullpen. Unfortunately, the Rockies haven’t been winning very much at all lately, so there isn’t a very big sample size to look at, in terms of July usage. Rex Brothers has been the “closer of the future” seemingly forever, and he did get the ball in the 8th inning of a tie game on Sunday. But in that appearance, he allowed two home runs and took the loss, the latest in a string of mediocre appearances for the lefty. So it might be righty Adam Ottavino who gets the first nod should Hawkins be traded. Ottavino had a tough June but has since rebounded, posting a 2.00 in 10 July appearances. Our best bet is probably the dreaded committee, with Ottavino getting save opps against righties and Brothers getting the call against lefties, but either way, Ottavino is probably worth an add if you’re hunting for saves in a deep league.

Updated hierarchy: Hawkins | Ottavino | Brothers.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Hector Rondon has pitched in back to back games and four of five.
2. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Rafael Soriano has pitched in back to back games and three of four, including a disastrous outing yesterday in which he gave up four runs while recording only one out. His job is not in jeopardy, but he could get the day off.

Siegrist returns to Cardinals bullpen; Uehara finally gets save chance

July 28, 2014

St. Louis Cardinals — Kevin Siegrist has returned from the DL and despite taking the loss on Friday night, pitched a perfect eighth inning on Sunday against the top three bats in the Cubs’ order. The left-hander appears to be a solid option for holds going forward, but Jason Motte is still likely the third choice for saves behind Trevor Rosenthal and Pat Neshek.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Neshek | Motte.

Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara struck out the side for his 21st save on Sunday in his first chance since July 19. Given the Sox’ recent struggles over their seven-game road trip this past week, it’s still extremely likely that Uehara is traded. Meanwhile, the Sox acquired 25-year-old Heath Hembree from San Francisco on Saturday as part of a deal for Jake Peavy. Hembree was the closer for Triple-A Fresno and could play a role down the road in Boston.

Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Mujica | Tazawa.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dustin McGowan, Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen has pitched in two straight games and has yet to appear on three straight days this season.

Boxberger having a great month, Neil Ramirez sent down

July 27, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger pitched a scoreless 8th inning and Jake McGee picked up his 11th save of the season last night.  Boxberger has allowed zero runs in July and has recorded a win, a save, and six holds this month.  Jake McGee has gotten the last three save opportunities for the Rays and has converted each one.

Updated hierarchy: McGee | Boxberger | Balfour.

Chicago Cubs — Neil Ramirez has been sent down to Triple-A to get some rest.  Ramirez has been one of the Cubs’ best relievers this year but since he is a rookie, they want to make sure they do not overuse him.  He should be back up shortly and resume his set-up role, but for now the Cubs will have to use Pedro Strop and Brian Schlitter in front of closer Hector Rondon.

Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Strop| Schlitter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brad Boxberger/Grant Balfour, Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee has pitched in two straight and three of the last four

Neftali Feliz and Aaron Crow record saves

July 26, 2014

Texas Rangers — With their first save opportunity since trading closer Joakim Soria, the Rangers stayed true to their word and went to Neftali Feliz.  Feliz gave up a hit and a walk, and had to throw 26 pitches to get through the inning, but he pitched a scoreless frame for his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Feliz | Tolleson | Cotts.

Kansas City Royals — With Greg Holland and Wade Davis unavailable after pitching three days in a row, the Royals went to Aaron Crow to protect a two run lead in the 9th. Crow pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his second save of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Davis | Crow.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Ernesto Frieri had been pitching pretty well recently, but last night he gave up 4 runs in one inning of work.  The outing raised Frieri’s ERA to 7.38 for the season.  Jared Hughes, on the other hand, has an ERA under 2.00.  The change of scenery hasn’t helped Frieri as much as the Pirates’ hoped and it’s likely that he will be relegated to middle relief at this point.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Watson | Hughes.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bryan Morris/A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has pitched in two straight and five of the last six.
2. Adam Warren, New York Yankees – David Robertson and Dellin Betances have both pitched in two straight and three of the last four.

Chad Qualls unlikely to be traded; Jake Petricka now full-time

July 25, 2014

Houston Astros – Though seemingly a prime trade candidate, Chad Qualls is extremely unlikely to be moved, according to Astros GM Jeff Luhnow. Qualls, who is signed through 2015 and has a team option for 2016, has been a wonderful surprise for both Houston and his fantasy owners, and appears to still be a reliable bet for saves for the remainder of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Fields | Sipp.

Miami Marlins – The A’s finally sent ole’ Jim Johnson out to pasture prior to Thursday’s game. We initially weren’t going to mention this, but Johnson is somehow still owned in 13 percent of leagues. And, actually, there’s a small chance that this increases his relevancy again, as the Marlins were reportedly interested in acquiring Johnson as recently as a few days ago. If they sign him, and then decide to move Steve Cishek, then Johnson could potentially be in the mix for saves in Miami.

Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Morris | Ramos.

Chicago White Sox — With Thursday’s news that Zach Putnam is headed to the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, Jake Petricka went, by default, from part-time closer to full-time closer. He responded well in his first save chance on Thursday night, striking out two in a perfect inning, and has the chance to seize the role for good ahead of Putnam’s (and Matt Lindstrom’s and Nate Jones’s) return.

Updated hierarchy: Petricka | Belisario | Guerra.

Detroit Tigers – With Joakim Soria looking on from the bullpen, Joe Nathan on Thursday pitched like a man who knew that even a single slip-up could cost him his job. Nathan had his most dominant appearance of the season, needing only 12 pitches to strike out the side. It’s possible that he’s still just one blown save from losing the job, but Nathan has likely created a tiny bit of breathing room for himself.

Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ken Giles/Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in three straight, throwing a total of 65 pitches over 4 innings.
2. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland and Wade Davis have both pitched in three straight.