Pedro Strop and Mitchell Boggs are relevant again

July 22, 2013

Chicago Cubs – For a “good time on the mound,” Dale Sveum plans to call on Pedro Strop to be the Cubs’ new closer if Kevin Gregg heads elsewhere this month, as expected. Hierarchy change: Pedro Strop to Set-up, Blake Parker to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggPedro StropBlake ParkerPedro Strop7/22/13

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Colorado Rockies — The Rockies responded to Rafael Betancourt’s incapacitation by summoning a blast from the National League past: Mitchell Boggs. Reports suggest that Colorado will use him in front of Matt Belisle, and Boggs insists that his time in double-A exile has helped him return to last season’s impressive form. Hierarchy change: Mitchell Boggs to 2nd in line, replacing Wilton Lopez.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleMitchell BoggsRafael Betancourt7/22/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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New York Yankees — Joba Chamberlain’s continued struggles have once again dropped him below Boone Logan on the Yankees’ depth chart; Logan struck out the side in a tied seventh inning on Sunday at Fenway. Hierarchy change: Boone Logan to 2nd in line, replacing Joba Chamberlain.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonBoone LoganDavid Robertson7/22/13

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Arizona Diamondbacks – After Brad Ziegler picked up his fourth save in as many opportunities, Kirk Gibson gave him a half-vote of confidence, saying that he will handle the closer role “for now . . . but that could change.” Gibson also admitted that Ziegler’s propensity to induce groundouts makes him a valuable arm at other points, which does nothing to dispel the long-term uncertainty in this bullpen. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerDavid HernandezJ.J. PutzJ.J. Putz7/22/13

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Detroit Tigers — Jim Leyland might be bluffing, but he sounds like a man who’s satisfied with his bullpen. Joaquin Benoit has converted all nine of his save opportunities, and Bruce Rondon is on a hot streak as well, retiring 11 straight batters over three scoreless outings. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitDrew Smyly Bruce RondonBruce Rondon7/22/13

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Baltimore Orioles — After Jim Johnson was used in two straight games, Darren O’Day picked up the save on Sunday night. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterDarren O’DayJim Johnson7/22/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay Rays — Rodney threw 35 pitches last night in his second straight day of work.

Rex Brothers to close while Betancourt is on DL

July 21, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt has been placed on the DL with appendicitis.  The move is retroactive to July 15.  Rex Brothers will close in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Matt Belisle to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleWilton LopezRafael Betancourt7/20/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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Minnesota Twins – For the second night in a row, Casey Fien pitched the 8th ahead of Glen Perkins while Jared Burton pitched in the 7th inning.  Fien has made 11 straight scoreless appearances, lowering his ERA to 2.88 on the season.  Hierarchy change:  Casey Fien to Set-up, Jared Burton to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsCasey FienJared BurtonGlen Perkins7/21/13

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San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez got the last two outs of the 8th inning last night with the Giants up 2.  Lopez has a 1.54 ERA on the season. Hierarchy change: Javier Lopez to 2nd in line, replacing Jeremy Affeldt.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoSantiago CasillaJavier LopezSergio Romo7/21/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Rafael Soriano and Tyler Clippard have both pitched two days in a row and Davey Johnson could go to Storen if there is a save opportunity today.
2. Sam LeCure, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight.

 

Rafael Betancourt hits DL with appendicitis; Rex Brothers to close

July 20, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt has been placed on the DL with appendicitis.  The move is retroactive to July 15.  Rex Brothers will close in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Matt Belisle to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleWilton LopezRafael Betancourt7/20/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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Herrera back for Royals, Bailey possibly out for year

July 20, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Andrew Bailey has been placed on the DL and will likely miss the rest of the season.  Craig Breslow pitched the 8th inning last night to pick up his 8th hold of the season and should continue to see more time in the late innings for the Red Sox.  Hierarchy change: Craig Breslow to 2nd in line replacing Andrew Bailey.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaJunichi TazawaCraig BreslowJunichi Tazawa7/20/13

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Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera was recalled on Friday and got the last two outs in the 8th in a one run game.  Herrera had 17 strikeouts, and only 2 walks, in 11.2 scoreless innings at Triple-A Omaha.  He should immediately factor into the late inning plans for the Royals.   Hierarchy change: Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line, replacing Tim Collins.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowKelvin HerreraGreg Holland7/20/13

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Philadelphia Phillies – Justin De Fratus gave up 2 more runs on Friday night and his ERA is up to 5.23.  Jacob Diekman, on the other hand, has been pitching well, as he has not allowed a run in his last 5 appearances.  Hierarchy change: Jacob Diekman to 2nd in line replacing Justin De Fratus.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoJacob DiekmanJonathan Papelbon7/20/13
Mike Adams (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel had a long 9th inning last night throwing 25 pitches.

Trade Deadline Buy/Sell Report: National League Closers

July 18, 2013

SPECIAL UPDATE: TRADE DEADLINE BUY/SELL REPORT (PART TWO OF TWO)

Glossary
BUY+: This player has a large chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
BUY: This player has a small chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
SELL: This player has a small chance of losing his closer job by the trade deadline.
SELL+: This player has a large chance of losing his closer job by the trade deadline.

TL;DR Version
BUY+: Blake Parker; Jim Henderson
BUY: Antonio Bastardo; John Axford; Rex Brothers; Luke Gregerson
SELL: Francisco Rodriguez; Rafael Betancourt; Huston Street
SELL+: Brad Zeigler

Atlanta Braves – The Braves are all set at closer, although they might well add a setup arm like Oliver Perez or Jesse Crain. BUY/SELL: None. 
Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn are likely to remain Fish this season, although pending free agent Chad Qualls could soon be headed to, um, bluer waters. BUY/SELL: None. 
New York Mets – The Mets claim they will need to be “blown away” to trade Bobby Parnell, but even if they remember that he’s Bobby Parnell and change their mind, his value is unlikely to drastically change. Any team who goes to the trouble to pry him away from Queens will probably use him to close. BUY/SELL: None.
Philadelphia Phillies – With Jonathan Papelbon on the market, the euphonious Antonio Bastardo is just a trade away from closing. BUY: Antonio Bastardo.
Washington Nationals – The Nats are set in the bullpen and might add some depth at starting pitcher. Drew Storen might be an attractive option for a team in need of a closer. BUY/SELL: None.

Chicago Cubs – 35-year-old Kevin Gregg is one of the hottest arms available at the deadline, just as everyone predicted in April. If Gregg leaves Chicago, Blake Parker stands ready to take advantage of the opportunity to close. BUY+: Blake Parker.
Cincinnati Reds – Cincinnati’s bullpen has been excellent lately, and Sean Marshall and Jonathan Broxton are expected to return from the DL soon; the Reds don’t need to make a move in this area. BUY/SELL: None.
Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers have said that they won’t move Jim Henderson, who is well-positioned to move back into closing when they do trade Francisco Rodriguez. John Axford might be moved as well, but even if he’s not, we think he’s more likely to get save opportunities going forward than a traded K-Rod. BUY+: Jim Henderson. BUY: John Axford. SELL: Francisco Rodriguez.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Pittsburgh’s bullpen has been very good, so if they do make a move, it would probably be only to add a setup man. BUY/SELL: None.
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals have the best record in baseball and a solid bullpen but, like most teams, they would add another middle reliever if the price were right. BUY/SELL: None.

Arizona Diamondbacks – An ugly, unsettled bullpen situation in Phoenix could lead to a deadline move and a new closer; even without a trade, Brad Zeigler probably can’t hang on for long. SELL+: Brad Ziegler.
Colorado Rockies – The Rockies might move Rafael Betancourt in exchange for a starting pitcher, at which point Rex Brothers would again ascend to close. BUY: Rex Brothers. SELL: Rafael Betancourt.
Los Angeles Dodgers – LA might move Brandon League (if anyone would bite) or bring in another setup guy, but none of the changes should affect anyone’s ninth inning. BUY/SELL: None.
San Diego Padres – Huston Street is available, and even Luke Gregerson and Dale Thayer might be on the market as the Padres move into sale mode after a recent collapse. Street seems most likely to be traded, which would improve Gregerson’s value as it lowered Street’s. BUY: Luke Gregerson. SELL: Huston Street. 
San Francisco Giants – Jeremy Affeldt or Javier Lopez could move, but Sergio Romo is safe. BUY/SELL: None.