Jonathan Papelbon’s days as Nationals closer nearing end

July 29, 2016

Washington Nationals — While the East Coast was sleeping, there was some late-innings drama in San Francisco when beleaguered closer Jonathan Papelbon entered the ninth inning with a 4-1 lead. He recorded one out, but allowed a single and a walk before he was pulled from the game, which had social media speculating his status as closer was in jeopardy. Oliver Perez made it interesting, allowing an inherited runner to score, but he and Shawn Kelley combined to strike out the final two hitters to secure a Nats victory. After the game, manager Dusty Baker said pulling Papelbon was what he had to do to try to win the game, and that while it was too early to make a decision on Papelbon, he said the team “certainly (has) to figure something out there.” He also expressed concerns about Papelbon’s velocity, which could mean a DL stint or bullpen demotion is near.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.

New York Mets — After an unreal save-conversion streak in the regular season, Jeurys Familia has a new streak of blown saves after he blew his second chance in as many days in the Mets loss Thursday. Manager Terry Collins had been worried about Familia’s fatigue, but he still trotted his closer out there in the 9th despite telling reporters on Wednesday that Familia would be unavailable. Familia has now thrown 52 pitches over the last two days and has pitched in four out of the last five. To be fair, Familia told his manager he was available, but give him a break, Terry!

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Reed | Robles.

Kansas City Royals — The Royals have made closer Wade Davis available in trades, but they’re apparently attempting to attach Ian Kennedy (who is owed $62.5 million after this season) in any Davis deal. The Dodgers and Nationals are supposedly interested, though. In related KC reliever news, Luke Hochevar was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder condition.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Herrera | Soria.

Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks are reportedly near a deal to trade away Daniel Hudson. When asked about a possible Hudson deal, GM Dave Stewart said “close is in the eye of the beholder.”

Hierarchy remains: *Clippard | Barrett | Hudson. 
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies — The Rockies could be close to dealing reliever Boone Logan to the Blue Jays, but no deal is in place as of yet. Several other teams are interested in the lefty.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Ottavino | Logan.

Chicago Cubs – Aroldis Chapman recorded four outs Thursday for his first save with his new team (and his first save of more than three outs this year). His zip-code change hasn’t stopped his heavy flow of triple-digit heat.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Rondon | Strop.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals — Will Dusty Baker pull the plug on Jonathan Papelbon?
2. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in three straight and four of the last five.
3. Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies — Closer Carlos Estevez has recorded a save in three straight games.
4. Hansel Robles, New York Mets — Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed have both pitched in four of five.

Jeurys Familia blows his first (regular-season) save in a year

July 28, 2016

New York Mets — Pour one out for Jeurys Familia’s 52-game regular-season save streak, the third-longest in MLB history (behind Tom Gordon and Eric Gagne). Familia’s streak is survived by Zach Britton’s 34-game regular-season save streak, Tony Wolters’s five-game hitting streak, and Vin Scully’s 67-year streak of being awesome.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Reed | Robles.

Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon and Shawn Kelley were each unavailable on Wednesday afternoon, so Felipe Rivero got a shot at a vulture save. After he stumbled, Blake Treinen earned his first career save with a timely double play. With Papelbon struggling, Washington is in the market for Andrew Miller, although Kelley could provide a perfectly serviceable in-house option.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.

Colorado Rockies — Jason Motte returned to the disabled list on Wednesday with another right shoulder strain. Walt Weiss still doesn’t seem to fully trust Jake McGee, so we’ll elevate fellow lefthander Boone Logan into the hierarchy — but note that Logan has been mentioned in some trade rumors.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Ottavino | Logan.

Detroit Tigers — As we predicted, Justin Wilson earned a vulture save (his first ever), while K-Rod tended to personal business. Rodriguez is expected to be back for Friday’s game.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Addison Reed, New York Mets — Familia will get Thursday off.
2. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in two straight and three of four (53 pitches).

Colorado suddenly has lots of good relievers

July 19, 2016

Colorado Rockies – Between the emergence of Carlos Estevez, the recent returns of Jake McGee and Boone Logan from the disabled list, and the activation of Adam Ottavino after Tommy John surgery, the Rockies suddenly have a bunch of competent relievers to get them through the late innings. But even with all those arms available, it’s been Jason Motte pitching the 8th inning in close games over the last two days. Ottavino has been used in the 7th in his last two appearances, and McGee has only pitched one third of an inning over the past week, despite Walt Weiss explaining before the All-Star break that he intended to “work him back in” to the late inning mix. We expect Weiss to keep going with what works for now, especially following last night’s win.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Ottavino | Motte.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Justin Wilson, Detroit Tigers – K-Rod has pitched in three of the last four.
2. David Phelps, Miami Marlins – Both A.J. Ramos and Fernando Rodney are seriously overworked.

Jason Grilli gives Roberto Osuna some much-needed rest

June 13, 2016

Toronto Blue Jays – A stretch of 10 appearances in a 17-day span prompted John Gibbons to give Roberto Osuna a second consecutive day off on Sunday, and Jason Grilli got the save in his place. Osuna’s job is perfectly safe, and Grilli has quickly established himself as the youngster’s handcuff.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Grilli | Floyd. 

Colorado Rockies – A day after being named closer, Carlos Estevez needed a night off due to recent workload. In his stead, the Rockies played matchups in the 9th, with Jason Motte starting off the inning and then Boone Logan picking up the last out for his first save of the year. You can expect to see something similar on nights when Estevez isn’t available in the future.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Motte | Logan.

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla retired both hitters he faced last night for his 13th save. He had some help at the start of the inning, as lefty Javier Lopez was used to get Adrian Gonzalez (who tried to bunt his way on!), but it was still an encouraging outing for the righty, who has been shaky of late.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Gearrin | Strickland.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cory Gearrin, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has pitched in three straight.
2. Will Smith/Tyler Thornburg, Milwaukee Brewers – Jeremy Jeffress has pitched in three straight, while Will Smith has gone in four of the last five.

Carlos Estevez is the new closer in Colorado

June 12, 2016

Colorado Rockies – Jake McGee was placed on the DL yesterday and rookie Carlos Estevez recorded the save in his place.  Jason Motte was originally sent out for the 9th but after he allowed a double and hit a batter, he was pulled for Estevez.  After the game, manager Walt Weiss named Estevez the closer while McGee is out.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Motte | Logan.

Houston Astros — Will Harris ended his streak of 27 straight scoreless innings on Saturday, but still recorded his third save of the season.  Harris has converted three straight save opportunities since Gregerson was demoted and he looks to be the primary closer for now.

Hierarchy remains: Harris | Giles | Gregerson.

Cincinnati Reds – Ross Ohlendorf recorded his first save for the Reds yesterday.  Tony Cingrani pitched a perfect 8th with a switch hitter, who bats better against righties, and a lefty due up first.  Since Cingrani is the only lefty in the Reds’ bullpen this could happen occasionally, but he still should be considered the closer and receive the majority of save chances.

Hierarchy remains: Cingrani | Ohlendorf | Wood.

Toronto Blue Jays — Before yesterday’s game, manager John Gibbons said that closer Roberto Osuna would be unavailable and Jason Grilli would serve as closer.  There didn’t end up being a save opportunity on Saturday, but Grilli still pitched the ninth and struck out the side.  Grilli slides into the set-up role and should see any vulture save chances moving forward.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Grilli | Floyd.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ross Ohlendorf, Cincinnati Reds – Tony Cingrani has pitched in three straight and four of five.
2. Jason Motte/Boone Logan, Colorado Rockies – Carlos Estevez has pitched in two straight and four of the past five.
3. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has gone in three straight games
4. Cory Gearrin, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has appeared in two straight and four of five.
5. Fernando Salas, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street threw 28 pitches in a blown save yesterday and also threw 30 pitches on Thursday so he could get Sunday off.