Aroldis Chapman is the closer in Cincinnati

March 24, 2013

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds have announced that Aroldis Chapman will be their closer.  Chapman said earlier in the spring that he’d prefer to close, and apparently Dusty Baker wanted to keep him in the bullpen.  With both player and coach in the same corner, the higher-ups in the Reds organization that wanted Chapman to start eventually backed down, allowing the young Cuban to return to his 9th inning role.  Jonathan Broxton’s value takes a huge hit.  Hierarchy change: Aroldis Chapman to Closer,a Jonathan Broxton to Set-up, Sean Marshsall to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Broxton |3/24/13

 

Sergio Santos probably the Opening Day closer in Toronto

March 20, 2013

Los Angeles Angels – Ryan Madson, who the Angels hoped would be ready for the start of the season, suffered a setback in his rehabilitation last Thursday.  Ernesto Frieri will close games until Madson gets healthy, at which point the Angels will have to decide with reliever is better suited for the 9th.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Jepsen |Downs |Frieri |3/20/13 |Madson(INJ) |

 
Cincinnati Reds – All spring, it seemed that Aroldis Chapman would become a starting pitcher, but recently Chapman has been saying that he’d prefer to close, and he has Dusty Baker in his corner.  The Reds front office has been pushing for Chapman to move to the rotation, so his status remains up in the air as the Cincinnati decision-makers argue amongst themselves.  Jonathan Broxton remains the only option to close if Chapman’s destination is the rotation.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Broxton |Marshall |Arredondo |Broxton |3/20/13

 
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers have still not declared a closer, though Bruce Rondon remains the favorite.  Others who could have an opportunity to close include Joaquin Benoit, Phil Coke, or Al Alburquerque, but each carries a question mark.  Jim Leyland said earlier this spring that he wasn’t sure that Benoit had the ability to bounce back in the way the position requires.  Coke, who picked up a handful of saves late last season, remains a possibility, but is the only lefty in the back end of the bullpen and may be better suited as a match-up guy.  Alburquerque has had trouble staying healthy.  Rondon, meanwhile, has pitched better as of late, and probably has a 50/50 shot of being named the full-time closer at this point.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Rondon |Benoit |Coke |Rondon |3/20/13

 
Toronto Blue Jays – With Casey Janssen’s rehab going slower than expected, Sergio Santos will most likely start the season as the closer in Toronto.  Santos was signed before last season with the expectation that he would close for the Blue Jays, so if he pitches well in the early going, he could hold on to the job for good.  Hierarchy change: Sergio Santos to Closer, Casey Janssen to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Santos |Janssen |Oliver |Santos |3/20/13

Aroldis Chapman headed to rotation; Frank Francisco won’t be ready for Opening Day

March 7, 2013

New York Mets – Frank Francisco’s elbow inflammation will not be healed come opening day, Terry Collins said earlier this week.  “It’ll be Bobby [Parnell],” said Collins.  “And you know what?  He can take that job and run with it.”  Parnell has gotten several chances to “run with it” in the past and has never come through, but it sounds as if he’ll have the opportunity to keep the job if he performs well early on.  Hierarchy change: Bobby Parnell to Closer, Brandon Lyon to Set-up, Josh Edgin to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Lyon |Edgin |Parnell |3/7/13 |Francis(INJ)|

 
Cincinnati Reds – All signs point to Aroldis Chapman heading to the rotation.  Even Mike Leake, who has pitched well so far this spring, told the Dayton Daily News that he thinks Chapman will win the 5th starter’s spot.  Jonathan Broxton will close, while Sean Marshall sets up.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to Closer, Sean Marshall to Set-up, Jose Arredondo to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Broxton |Marshall |Arredondo |Broxton |3/7/13

 
Detroit Tigers – A decision has not yet been made on Bruce Rondon’s role this season, though his spring struggles have led to rampant speculation that the Tigers will trade for a closer.  For now, Rondon is still the best candidate to enter the season as the stopper, but a few good spring outings would certainly put everyone at ease.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Rondon |Coke |Benoit |Rondon |3/7/13

Spring Training 2013: Closer Battles to Watch

New York Mets – Frank Francisco is recovering from an injury and may not be ready for the start of the season.  Bobby Parnell will close if Francisco doesn’t make it back in time.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Frank Francisco, Set-up- Bobby Parnell, 2nd in line- Brandon Lyon.

Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen enters camp as favorite to hold the Toronto closer job, but Sergio Santos was brought in last season to finish games, and could easily seize the job if Janssen falters.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Casey Janssen, Set-up- Sergio Santos, 2nd in line- Darren Oliver.

Detroit Tigers – With Jose Valverde’s departure, the early favorite to win the closer job is rookie fireballer Bruce Rondon.  But if Rondon struggles this spring, veterans Phil Coke or Joaquin Benoit could get a shot at finishing games.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Bruce Rondon, Set-up- Phil Coke, 2nd in line- Joaquin Benoit. 

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour recently underwent surgery and will miss six weeks.  If he’s not ready to start the season, Ryan Cook should get the early chances.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Grant Balfour, Set-up- Ryan Cook, 2nd in line- Sean Doolittle.

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds are keeping ambiguous their intentions with Aroldis Chapman.  Until they say otherwise, Chapman should still be expected to close.  Jonathan Broxton will be the 9th inning man if Chapman is moved to the rotation.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Aroldis Chapman, Set-up- Jonathan Broxton, 2nd in line- Sean Marshall. 

At a glance:

 |Closer |Set-Up |Updated |Closer |Set-Up |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |2/24/13 ATL |Kimbrel |Walden |2/24/13BOS |Hanrahan |Bailey |2/24/13 MIA |Cishek |Dunn |2/24/13NYY |Robertson |Aardsma |2/24/13 NYM |Francisco |Parnell |2/24/13TB |Rodney |Peralta |2/24/13 PHI |Papelbon |Adams |2/24/13TOR |Janssen |Santos |2/24/13 WAS |Soriano |Storne |2/24/13CHW |Reed |Thornton |2/24/13 CHC |Marmol |Camp |2/24/13CLE |C.Perez |Pestano |2/24/13 CIN |Chapman |Broxton |2/24/13DET |Rondon |Coke |2/24/13 MIL |Axford |Henderson |2/24/13KC |Holland |Herrera |2/24/13 PIT |Grilli |Melancon |2/24/13MIN |Perkins |Burton |2/24/13 STL |Motte |Boggs |2/24/13HOU |Veras |Ambriz |2/24/13 ARI |Putz |Hernandez |2/24/13LAA |Frieri |Downs |2/24/13 COL |Betancourt |Belisle |2/24/13OAK |Balfour |Cook |2/24/13 LAD |League |Jansen |2/24/13SEA |Wilhelmsen |Pryor |2/24/13 SD |Street |Gregerson |2/24/13TEX |Nathan |Soria |2/24/13 SF |Romo |Casilla |2/24/13

Random saves all over the place as closers’ arms are rested

October 2, 2012

Philadelphia Phillies – Phillippe Aumont picked up his second save of the season on Monday.  Jonathan Papelbon had pitched in two straight and was unavailable.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Aumont |Bastardo |Papelbon |10/2/12

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – With Joel Hanrahan and Jason Grilli unavailable after pitching in two straight, Jared Hughes picked up his second save of the season.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Hughes |Hanrahan |10/2/12

 
Colorado Rockies – Josh Roenicke picked up his first career save on Monday, retiring the final two batters in extra innings.  Roenicke was the sixth man out of the pen.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Belisle |Brothers |Betancourt |10/2/12

 
Houston Astros – Though Wilton Lopez was available, the Astros went to Wesley Wright for the final four outs on Monday.  However, this was a match-up play, as Wright faced off against several lefties in earning his first save of the year.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Lopez |Valdez |Wright |Lopez |10/2/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in three straight.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s – Both Grant Balfour and Ryan Cook have pitched in three straight.
3. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.