David Robertson and Sergio Santos pick up saves

September 28, 2013

New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera got the night off after his emotional final outing in Yankee Stadium.  David Robertson retired the Astros in order (which isn’t hard to do) for his 3rd save of the season.  There are rumors that Mariano could play center field this weekend so Robertson could see more saves.  No hierarchy change.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYY Mariano Rivera David Robertson Shawn Kelley David Robertson 9/28/13
      Boone Logan (INJ)    

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Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos came on in the 8th inning with the bases loaded and one out and the Blue Jays up 4.  He got a double play to get out of the inning and then stayed on for the 9th to pick up his first save of the season. No hierarchy change.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TOR Casey Janssen Sergio Santos Steve Delabar Casey Janssen 9/28/13

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Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez is officially out as closer, and will be replaced by a committee of relievers that includes most of the bullpen.  Former No. 1 starter Justin Masterson, recovering from an oblique injury, is among the best bets for the 9th inning, as mentioned this morning.  Joe Smith is neck-and-neck with Masterson, with Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw close behind.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Closer, Justin Masterson to Set-up.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLE Joe Smith Justin Masterson Cody Allen Chris Perez 9/27/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Gregg, Chicago Cubs – The Cubs could go with Gregg or Strop if they have a save opportunity tonight.
2. David Robertson, New York Yankees – The Yankees may play Mariano Rivera in center field so Robertson could be the closer the rest of this weekend.

Mitchell Boggs to close during Motte’s absence; Gibbons gives nod to Janssen

March 25, 2013

St. Louis Cardinals – Jason Motte will start the season on the DL.  The Cardinals closer felt his forearm tighten up after his most recent appearance, and the Cardinals announced over the weekend that they were shutting him down for at least a week due to a mild flexor strain.  Mitchell Boggs will close in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Mitchell Boggs to Closer, Edward Mujica to Set-up, Mark Rzepczynski to 2nd in line; Jason Motte injured.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |Updated
STL |Boggs |Mujica |Rzepczynski |Motte |3/25/13

 
Toronto Blue Jays – Blue Jays manager John Gibbons seems to think that Casey Janssen will be ready to open the season come April 2.  Janssen himself is far less certain.  Either way, though, Gibbons told the Toronto Sun that Janssen was definitely his closer, even if he wasn’t ready for the season.  So if Sergio Santos gets a few save opportunities, they won’t last long, as Janssen will inherit the job whenever he does return.  Hierarchy change: Casey Janssen to Closer, Sergio Santos to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Santos |Oliver |Santos |3/25/13

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

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

Casey Janssen’s value rising as Sergio Santos suffers another setback

June 12, 2012

Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos suffered another setback in his rehab this weekend and could be out until after the All Star break, or longer.  Casey Janssen has performed well in his stead and with this news, his value continues to rise.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Cordero |Frasor |Santos |6/12/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched on three consecutive days.
2. Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has gotten 2 of the Cubs 3 save opportunities since the demotion of Rafael Dolis; Camp has gotten the other.  Matchups will likely determine who is used in the 9th today.