Marmol out on Chicago’s North Side; Crain ascending in the South

April 7, 2013

Chicago Cubs — It seems that Carlos Marmol is finally done as the Cubs closer after giving up two home runs in the ninth to lose to Atlanta. Although Dale Sveum pointed out that Kyuji Fujikawa also pitched poorly on Saturday night, and offered Shawn Camp and James Russell as potential alternatives, we believe the Cub most likely to land in the closer role is the longtime Japanese relief ace.  Hierarchy change: Kyuji Fujikawa to Closer, Shawn Camp to Set-Up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Fujikawa |Camp |Russell |Fujikawa |4/7/13

 
Chicago White Sox — The Sox turned to Jesse Crain in a very important spot in the eighth inning on Saturday, and it seems that he has moved ahead of Matt Lindstrom in Chicago’s bullpen. Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Lindstrom.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Crain |Reed |4/7/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ronald Belisario, Los Angeles Dodgers –– Brandon League and Kenley Jansen have each pitched in two straight games.
2. Matt Belisle, Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt has thrown twice in a row.

Carlos Marmol finally out as Cubs closer

April 7, 2013

Chicago Cubs — It seems that Carlos Marmol is finally done as the Cubs closer after giving up two home runs in the ninth to lose to Atlanta. Although Dale Sveum pointed out that Kyuji Fujikawa also pitched poorly on Saturday night, and offered Shawn Camp and James Russell as potential alternatives, we believe the Cub most likely to land in the closer role is the longtime Japanese relief ace.  Hierarchy change: Kyuji Fujikawa to Closer, Shawn Camp to Set-Up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

Brad Ziegler moving up in Arizona; more wackiness in Detroit

April 6, 2013

Detroit Tigers — Jim Leyland is just messing with us now, leaving long man Drew Smyly in for a four-inning save, as the Tigers slowly pulled away from the Yankees. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Coke |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/6/13

 
Arizona Diamondbacks — Arizona has used Brad Ziegler in a few high-leverage spots so far this season, while Heath Bell’s only appearance left him with an 81.00 ERA and more home runs allowed than batters retired. At this point, Bell is strictly a reliever of last resort. Hierarchy change: Brad Ziegler to 2nd in line, replacing Heath Bell.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Ziegler |Putz |4/6/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners –– Tom Wilhelmsen loaded the bases and needed 34 pitches to get last night’s save. Stephen Pryor could be sidelined too; he threw 28 pitches over two innings himself.
2. Mike Dunn/Jon Rauch, Miami Marlins — Steve Cishek threw 30 pitches on Friday and 10 on Thursday.

Marmol bumbles through another save opportunity; Valverde a Tiger again

April 5, 2013

Chicago Cubs — Dale Sveum stuck by Carlos Marmol after the embattled closer barely escaped a ninth inning that featured three singles wrapped around a walk. “He was OK. It didn’t seem that way, but it wasn’t too bad . . .  We know things can get interesting with him.” When Sveum tires of “interesting” approaches to protecting late leads, Kyuji Fujikawa and his 200+ saves await.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Fujikawa |Camp |Marmol |4/5/13

 
Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman picked up his first save of the year, and Sean Marshall, who has been kept out this season due to shoulder soreness, announced that he expected to be back for Friday night’s game against the Nationals.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Broxton |4/5/13

 
Detroit Tigers — In another threat to the Tigers’ fragile bullpen-by-committee setup, the team signed freshly shaven free agent Jose Valverde to a minor-league contract on Thursday. He’ll start out in extended spring training, then travel to Triple-A Toledo, and can opt out of the deal if he’s not in the majors by May 5. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Coke |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/5/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sergio Santos, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen has pitched in two consecutive games.
2. Mike Adams, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon has thrown on two straight days.

John Axford struggling; Phil Coke gets two straight opportunities

April 4, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford got rocked in a non-save situation on Wednesday, entering the game in the 9th inning with the Brewers down by a run and allowing three runs.  He’s now given up three home runs in just 1.2 innings this season, prompting Ron Roenicke to observe: “(His velocity) was way down.  We’ll talk to him and see how he’s doing.”  John Axford to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Gonzalez |Axford |4/4/13

 
Cleveland Indians – Joe Smith picked up the save for the Indians in the 11th inning last night.  Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano had already pitched.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |Smith |C.Perez |4/4/13

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Watson came on to finish the 7th inning for the Pirates on Wednesday, then stayed on to pitch the 8th, logging a perfect 1.1 innings and picking up his first save of the year.  Due to his past experience, Mark Melancon is likely the guy the Pirates will use on days where Jason Grilli is unavailable, but Watson may get some 8th inning action as well.  Hierarchy change: Tony Watson to 2nd in line, replacing Jared Hughes.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Grilli |Melancon |Watson |Grilli |4/4/13

 
Detroit Tigers – We’re two games into the season, and Phil Coke has gotten both save opportunities for the Tigers.  He blew the save, retiring the first man before allowing two hits.  Additionally, the batters he faced were two lefties and a switch hitter, so Jim Leyland could still very easily be playing matchups, and it could just have fallen on Coke on the first two games of the season.  But if you’re only going to own one Tigers reliever, he’s the guy; Joaquin Benoit and Al Alburquerque are also worth stashing, if you have the room.  Hierarchy change: Phil Coke to Closer, Joaquin Benoit to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Coke |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/3/13