Bobby Parnell to share save chances in New York

September 28, 2012

New York Mets – After Jon Rauch gave up a 2-run HR in the 9th inning on Thursday, Bobby Parnell got the last two outs for his fifth save of the season.  With Frank Francisco likely done for the year, Rauch and Parnell will split opportunities in the season’s final week.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Rauch |Parnell |Edgin |Francisco |9/28/12 |Francis(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.
2. Bobby Parnell, New York Mets – With Frank Francisco on the shelf, Jon Rauch and Bobby Parnell will split save chances in the season’s final week.

Frank Francisco likely done for the year, Jon Rauch to close

September 26, 2012

New York Mets – ESPN New York reported this morning that Frank Francisco is likely done for the year.  Terry Collins said that Francisco was unable to play catch on Tuesday and that it was “getting near that point of no return.”  Jon Rauch will close in his stead, and Bobby Parnell could also get a chance or two.  Hierarchy change: Jon Rauch to Closer, Bobby Parnell to Set-up, Josh Edgin to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Rauch |Parnell |Edgin |Francisco |9/26/12 |Francis(INJ)|

Jeremy Affeldt on shaky ground; Scott Downs returns from DL

August 19, 2012

New York Mets – Over his last 21 appearances- a 15-inning stretch- Jon Rauch has only given up one earned run.  He finished off the 8th inning last night, and coupled with his two bail-out saves of Frank Francisco earlier this week, he’s moved past Bobby Parnell on the Mets depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Jon Rauch to Set-up, Bobby Parnell to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |8/19/12

 
San Francisco Giants – After Jeremy Affeldt gave up 2 runs while only recording 2 outs in the 9th inning on Saturday, he was yanked in favor of Clay Hensley, who got the last out for his 3rd save of the season.  Hensley doesn’t factor in to the usual late-inning plans for San Francisco, but with the Giants already using a committee of Affeldt, Sergio Romo, and Javier Lopez, this outing is enough to potentially cost Affeldt future save chances.  Jeremy Affeldt to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/19/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs was activated from the DL on Saturday.  Downs, who has 9 saves on the season, should return to his old set-up role and may occasionally see a save chance as he did before.  Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to Set-up, Kevin Jepsen to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Jepsen |Frieri |8/19/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has pitched in three straight games.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in back-to-back games.  The Reds have been trying to protect his arm and have only used him in three straight twice all season.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Ryan Cook could pitch his way back into closer role; Frank Francisco struggling

August 17, 2012

New York Mets – Jon Rauch again bailed out Frank Francisco in the 9th, retiring the only batter he faced for his third save of the season.  Francisco remains on the Hot Seat, and could start losing save chances to Bobby Parnell if he doesn’t get his act together quick.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Parnell |Rauch |Francisco |8/17/12

 
Oakland A’s – Jerry Blevins picked up his 9th hold of the season, pitching parts of the 7th and 8th innings ahead of Ryan Cook and Grant Balfour.  Cook has now had scoreless outings since being demoted, and if Bob Melvin was serious about Cook’s demotion being temporary, then the young righty could win the job back soon.  Grant Balfour, through no fault of his own, is now on notice.  Hierarchy change: Jerry Blevins to 2nd in line, replacing Pat Neshek.  Grant Balfour to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Blevins |Cook |8/17/12

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

Kameron Loe, Matt Albers rising; Heath Bell could lose the job he never had

August 13, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – Kameron Loe picked up his first save of the season as Ron Roenicke continues to follow through on his threat that everyone in the Brewers bullpen will get a shot at closing.  Jim Henderson is still the best bet for saves moving on, but Loe should now be on fantasy radars.  Hierarchy change: Kameron Loe to 2nd in line, replacing Francisco Rodriguez. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Loe |Axford |8/13/12

 
Miami Marlins – Prior to Sunday, Heath Bell had only given up 1 run since the All Star break, and he had lowered his ghastly ERA by nearly a point and a half.  Ozzie Guillen had been impressed enough to say earlier this week that he’d be giving Bell another shot at closing.  The Marlins haven’t had a save chance since Guillen made his declaration, but in the 8th inning on Sunday, Bell took a major step back, allowing 4 earned runs while only recording 1 out.  Despite Guillen’s plans for Bell, Steve Cishek is now a great bet to get the next save opp.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |8/13/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – Matt Albers, acquired in the Craig Breslow deal, pitched a clean 8th inning with the Diamondbacks leading by five runs.  Takashi Saito came on for the 9th and gave up two runs before JJ Putz came on to bail him out.  Saito’s ERA climbed to 6.14 with the bad outing, while Albers is yet to give up a run in the NL.  Hierarchy change: Matt Albers to 2nd in line, replacing Takashi Saito.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Albers |Putz |8/13/12

 
New York Mets – Jon Rauch picked up his second save of the season, bailing out both Josh Edgin and Frank Francisco, who couldn’t combine to get three outs in what was initially a blowout.  The Mets have already said that Bobby Parnell could get some save opps while Francisco regains his strength, and this outing makes Parnell all the more appealing.  Frank Francisco to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Parnell |Rauch |Francisco |8/13/12

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