Rodney out as closer for Mariners, Carson Smith records save

June 7, 2015

Seattle Mariners — Carson Smith pitched a perfect 9th on Saturday night to record his first career save.  Manager Lloyd McClendon said recently that he didn’t have any alternatives to Rodney, but finally admitted that Rodney would get some time off from closing to clean up some things.  It looks like it will be a closer-by-committee with Mark Lowe and Charlie Furbush also getting chances situationally.  Carson Smith should get the majority of chances, but he has only pitched three days in a row once this season, and the Mariners will likely be cautious with his innings.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Lowe | Furbush.
* = closer-by-committee

2015 AL West preview

March 6, 2015

Houston Astros — Houston bolstered its bullpen again this offseason, bringing in ex-A Luke Gregerson (3 years, $18.5 million) and dubious All-Star Pat Neshek (2 years, $12.5 million) to challenge incumbent Chad Qualls, the oldest player in Astros camp, for the closer role. We think Gregerson has the edge over Qualls, Neshek, and Josh Fields (in that order). New manager A.J. Hinch is confident in all his options and won’t rush into a decision.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Gregerson | Qualls | Neshek.
Holds candidates: Neshek, Tony Sipp.

Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street (acquired last July from San Diego) and Joe Smith have the last two innings locked down. After the departure of Kevin Jepsen to Tampa, the Angels have their eye on Mike Morin as their next seventh-inning man. 23-year-old Cam Bedrosian could have an increased role later this year as well, and if Hector Santiago doesn’t make the rotation, he might find a spot as a lefty reliever.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Street | Smith | Morin.
Holds candidates: Smith, Fernando Salas.

Oakland A’s — With Sean Doolittle starting the year on the disabled list — and sleeping on the couch after his semifinal loss in the #FaceofMLB contest — the uber-durable Tyler Clippard will start the season as the closer. Clippard led the NL in holds in 2011, 2013, and 2014, and saved 32 games for Washington in 2012. Lefty Eric O’Flaherty and righty Ryan Cook will back him up, along with Dan Otero and Fernando Abad. If the ambidextrous Pat Venditte can somehow make the team, he could set a new record for appearances — in games, and in Closer Monkey updates.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Clippard | Cook | O’Flaherty.
Holds candidates: Cook, Clippard (eventually).

Seattle Mariners — Almost everyone from Seattle’s surprisingly effective 2014 bullpen is returning this season, including Fernando Rodney, who led MLB and set a Mariners record with his 48 saves, and inspired the Little League champions to skew their hats and fire imaginary arrows. Danny Farquhar and Yoervis Medina will be back in their set-up roles too, ensuring that Seattle’s pen will once again lead the league in Scrabble points (non-Rzepczynski division).

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Rodney | Farquhar | Medina.
Holds candidates: Charlie Furbush, Medina.

Texas Rangers — The Texas hierarchy has seen its fair share of adversity. Neftali Feliz, low strikeout rate and all, is finally starting a season as the closer after his 2013 Tommy John surgery. Tanner Scheppers, a great reliever in 2013, hurt his elbow last year after starting on Opening Day for the Rangers. Although he still wants to start, the team will keep him in the eighth this year. And Shawn Tolleson overcame back surgery in 2013 to be Texas’s most consistent reliever last season. Meanwhile, young Alex Claudio looks like the top lefty option for new manager Jeff Banister. Kyuji Fujikawa, another veteran of Tommy John surgery, also has an outside shot at high-leverage innings.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Feliz | Scheppers | Tolleson.
Holds candidates: Scheppers, Tolleson.

Zach Putnam gets two saves in two days; Joe Nathan struggling

July 20, 2014

Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen was unavailable due to a bout of food poisoning, so Aaron Loup got the call in the 9th inning, picking up his third save of the year. With Brett Cecil pitching erratically as of late (Cecil has allowed a run in four of his last nine outings), Loup is now the primary lefty in the Toronto pen.

Updated hierarchy: Janssen | McGowan | Loup.

Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan’s first appearance out of the break wasn’t a pretty one, as he allowed 3 earned runs and took the loss. Nathan’s ratios have improved considerably since he adjusted his arm slot in mid-June — he has 16 Ks against just 3 BBs in his past 10 innings — but when hitters make contact, they’re still hitting the ball pretty hard. He continues to get a vote of confidence from Brad Ausmus, but with his ERA now at 6.23, he’s back on our Hot Seat.

Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
Joe Nathan to Hot Seat.

Chicago White Sox – Zach Putnam got the save on Friday, so it was Jake Petricka’s turn to try for the last three outs on Saturday. But Petricka was only able to get two of those outs, also allowing a hit and a walk before being yanked by Robin Ventura — Putnam would strike out the game’s final hitter to earn the save. With two saves in two days, and an uncomfortably quick hook on Petricka, Putnam has inched to the top of the White Sox closer-by-committee.

Updated hierarchy: Putnam | Petricka | Guerra.

Philadelphia Phillies – Ken Giles got the ball in the 8th inning last night and picked up his third hold of the season. With Giles continuing to shine in his audition, he’s a great speculative add (as mentioned here) for teams looking for saves. Jonathan Papelbon could be shipped out soon.

Updated hierarchy: Papelbon | Giles | Bastardo.

Seattle Mariners – Charlie Furbush picked up his first save of the season on Saturday, pitching the bottom of the 12th inning. He does not factor in to the Mariners’ usual late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Farquhar | Medina.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dustin McGowan/Aaron Loup, Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen’s food poisoning could keep him out another day or so.

Uehara and Kimbrel to return; Strop gets an edge

April 17, 2014

Oakland A’s — It was Luke Gregerson’s turn to blow a save on Wednesday. Bob Melvin has said that he’ll consider making some changes in the bullpen on tomorrow’s off day; don’t be surprised if Jim Johnson gets back into it. Hierarchy change: Jim Johnson to 2nd in line, replacing Ryan Cook.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKLuke GregersonSean DoolittleJim JohnsonSean Doolittle4/17/14

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Boston Red Sox — After Wednesday’s extra-inning slog against the White Sox, today’s expected return of Koji Uehara should be huge for Boston. Burke Badenhop was the last man standing to pick up the save in the 14th. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaEdward MujicaJunichi TazawaKoji Uehara4/17/14

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Chicago Cubs — The Cubs were swept by the Yankees in a Wednesday doubleheader, and both Justin Grimm and Hector Rondon entered with Chicago trailing — Rondon in the sixth. The Cubs are behind a lot, and somebody has to pitch, but this might point to Pedro Strop as the most likely recipient of the next (rare) save opportunity. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCHector RondonPedro StropJustin GrimmHector Rondon4/17/14

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Seattle Mariners — Fernando Rodney was all over the place on Wednesday night, turning a Felix Hernandez gem into a loss with two unearned runs. The Mariners’ bullpen is somewhat unsettled; although Tom Wilhelmsen would probably be the most likely replacement closer, he hasn’t been used in exclusively high-leverage spots. Nor has Danny Farquhar, who watched Charlie Furbush and Yoervis Medina handle the eighth last night. We’re not quite sure what to tell you about Seattle, other than not to trust the guy with the crooked hat. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
SEAFernando RodneyTom WilhelmsenDanny FarquharDanny Farquhar4/17/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — Josh Fields has pitched on two straight days, and anyone can get a save in Houston anyway.
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has thrown 40 pitches over the last two days.
3. Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox — Matt Lindstrom pitched two innings and Daniel Webb threw 59 pitches on Wednesday. Maikel Cleto also issued three walks during his appearance, and Robin Ventura has said he’s comfortable using Petricka in high-leverage situations.
4. Joaquin Benoit, San Diego Padres — Huston Street has pitched on three of the last four days.
5. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants — Sergio Romo has also pitched on three of the last four days.

Nick Vincent earning some bigger innings

September 16, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Carter Capps was summoned in the 5th inning on Sunday and has been knocked around in his last few outings.  After a short time when Capps was getting some higher-leverage innings, Charlie Furbush has resumed to his role as a dual set-up man with Yoervis Medina.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line, replacing Carter Capps.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushDanny Farquhar9/16/13

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San Diego Padres – Nick Vincent pitched the 8th inning ahead of Huston Street on Sunday, and has been getting some important innings as of late.  Dale Thayer, meanwhile, has been going through a rough stretch, having allowed 6 earned runs in his last 4.1 innings.  Hierarchy change: Nick Vincent to 2nd in line, replacing Dale Thayer.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDHuston StreetLuke GregersonNick VincentHuston Street9/16/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour got the save last night but has a tired arm so Doolittle or Cook could be used tonight.
3. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Huston Street will miss a few games due to the death of his grandmother.