Tom Wilhelmsen out as closer as Mariners opt for a return to a committee

August 2, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Prior to Friday’s game, Robby Thompson said that he’d go to a closer-by-committee, mentioning lefties Charlie Furbush and Oliver Perez, and righties Yoervis Medina and Danny Farquhar.  Friday’s game offered no clues into who gets first crack, as the Mariners lost and used only Brandon Maurer in relief, but over the last several weeks, Furbush has been, unquestionably, the 8th inning guy.  The set-up man doesn’t always ascend to the role, though, and Perez and Medina are the relievers who have gotten odd save opps earlier this season; they could jump him in the hierarchy as a result, particularly since Thompson is an interim manager, and may not want to give someone new (Furbush) a chance.  Farquhar, meanwhile, has been brilliant lately, but we rank him fourth among the potential options in Seattle.  Hierarchy change: Oliver Perez to Closer, Yoervis Medina to Set-up, Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEAOliver PerezYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushTom Wilhelmsen8/2/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Seattle bullpen melts down; Sergio Santos finally returns

August 2, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen led the Seattle bullpen to one of the most epic collapses of the season thus far, as he, Oliver Perez, and Yoervis Medina combined to allow six runs in the 9th inning in an 8-7 loss to the Red Sox.  The three relievers combined to retire only one hitter in the walkoff loss.  Wilhelmsen allowed four baserunners without recording an out, and then after a bizarre sequence that saw interim manager Robby Thompson summon the wrong reliever by accident, Perez and Medina wrapped up the futility clinic by combining to allow four more hits and a walk.  The only real beneficiary here was Charlie Furbush, who had an stellar-by-comparison 8th inning, where he allowed just one run on a hit and a walk.  Wilhelmsen, whose ratios have been terrible all year (47.1 IP, 35 Ks, 26 BBs), won’t hold on to his job with another outing or two like this.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to Set-up, Oliver Perez to 2nd in line.  Tom Wilhelmsen to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenCharlie FurbushOliver PerezTom Wilhelmsen8/2/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos finally returned to the big leagues on Thursday after spending most of the season on the disabled list.  He’ll pitching middle relief at first, but given his contract and experience, the Blue Jays will likely elevate him to a set up role if he pitches well.  That’s no guarantee of course, as Santos was pretty awful during his rehab stint, posting a 6.17 ERA in 12 appearances.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos8/2/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell has had a stiff neck for the last several days. He said yesterday that he expected to be available tonight, but if he can’t go, LaTroy Hawkins is the best bet for a save opp.

Mark Melancon to close while Jason Grilli is out; Charlie Furbush ascending

July 23, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates have not released much on the injury to Jason Grilli, who will be re-evaluated today.  The official word thus far is “right forearm tightness,” which is often an ominous precursor to Tommy John surgery.  Vin Mazzaro picked up his first career save on Monday, getting the last out after Grilli’s exit, but All Star set-up man Mark Melancon will be the one to get saves going forward.  Justin Wilson and Tony Watson are the two best candidates for the 8th inning role.  Hierarchy change: Mark Melancon to Closer, Justin Wilson to Set-up, Tony Watson to 2nd in line, Jason Grilli injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconJustin WilsonTony WatsonJason Grilli7/23/13
Jason Grilli (INJ)

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Seattle Mariners – On Monday, Charlie Furbush got his third consecutive 8th inning hold and now has a 1.74 ERA in July.  The Mariners might be preparing for life after Oliver Perez, who is a candidate to move at the trade deadline, and Furbush now seems the best candidate to inherit the set-up role if and when the veteran lefty gets moved.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line, replacing Yoervis Medina.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenOliver PerezCharlie FurbushTom Wilhelmsen7/23/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has accumulated 3.1 innings over the last four days.
2. Casey Fien, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched 3.1 innings over the last four days.

The Pedro Strop experiment going well in Chicago so far

July 15, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Charlie Furbush pitched the 8th inning ahead of Tom Wilhelmsen last night, marking the third time out of his last five appearances that he picked up an 8th inning hold.  Seattle bullpen usage has been hard to figure out since the return of Tom Wilhelmsen.  Oliver Perez got a save as recently as 10 days ago, while Yoervis Medina has been better than almost anyone, though recently, he’s generally been pitching the 9th when the M’s have a lead in a non-save situations.  If there’s actually a suitor for Tom Wilhelmsen at the trade deadline (which seems unlikely at this point), then Furbush’s high strikeout rates will throw him in to the mix for Seattle saves along with Perez and Medina.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom Wilhelmsen7/15/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Chicago Cubs – Pedro Strop got out of a tight situation in the 6th inning last night, and was briefly in line for the win until Matt Guerrier blew the save the following inning.  Strop, so dominant for the Orioles in the first half last year, is trying to regain his form in Chicago, and the early returns are good: He’s now pitched 6 scoreless innings for the Cubs, allowing only 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7.  Kevin Gregg did the Cubs no favors by imploding in the 9th last night, but if he’s dealt, Strop has an outside chance to inherit the 9th inning.  Hierarchy change: Pedro Strop to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Guerrier.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggBlake ParkerPedro StropBlake Parker7/15/13

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Oliver Perez with save, Huston Street off DL

June 15, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Eric Wedge said before Friday’s game that he would give Tom Wilhelmsen some time off from closing.  Oliver Perez was the first reliever to get a save chance in his place (which was a bit of a surprise given his 1.32 WHIP), but the lefty converted, and stands to be in a closer-by-committee with Carter Capps and Charlie Furbush until Wilhelmsen rights his ship.  Wedge’s comments make it sound as if Wilhelmsen will get the job back if he can turn it around, so we recommend hanging on to him for the time being.  Hierarchy change: Oliver Perez to Closer, replacing Tom Wilhelmsen.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
SEAOliver PerezCarter CappsCharlie FurbushTom Wilhelmsen6/15/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

 

San Diego Padres – The Padres activated Huston Street from the DL on Friday and he will immediately return to the closer’s role. Hierarchy change: Huston Street to Closer, Luke Gregerson to Set-up, Dale Thayer to 2nd in Line.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
SDHuston StreetLuke GregersonDale ThayerHuston Street6/15/13

 

Los Angeles Angels – Kevin Jepsen pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of Ernesto Frieri last night.  Since coming off the DL on May 26th, Jepsen has pitched 8.2 scoreless innings while only giving up 4 hits.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to Set-up, Garrett Richards to 2nd in line.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
LAAErnesto FrieriKevin JepsenGarrett RichardsErnesto Frieri6/15/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

 

St. Louis Cardinals – Kevin Siegrist pitched another perfect inning last night and has been very impressive since getting called up.  The young lefty has pitched 4.1 innings with 9 ks and has only given up 1 hit.  Siegrist also had 44 ks in 27.2 innings at Triple-A Memphis this season.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Siegrist to 2nd in line, replacing Seth Maness.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalKevin SiegristJason Motte6/15/13

 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs – Kevin Gregg has pitched in three straight
2. Carter Capps/Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – Oliver Perez got the save last night but Eric Wedge said that he will mix and match in the 9th so Capps or Furbush could get the call depending on how the game plays out.
3. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers could use K-Rod on any night in an attempt to get him to 300 saves for his career.  He’s currently at 298.