Another game, another Red Sox closer down

May 7, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s ignoble return to the Boston bullpen lasted for precisely four batters, one of whom tapped him for a game-tying home run. To add injury to insult (and injury), Hanrahan left shortly thereafter with “right forearm tightness.” We believe Junichi Tazawa has a slight edge over Koji Uehara, but either or both could be used in the closer role. Although Craig Breslow (fresh from his own DL stint) is now the third-best healthy reliever in the Red Sox pen, Daniel Bard or Alfredo Aceves could also conceivably join what has become a disturbingly threadbare crew. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Closer, Koji Uehara to Set-up, Craig Breslow to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Tazawa |Uehara |Breslow |Bailey |5/7/13 |Bailey(DL) |Hanrahan(DL)|

 

Greg Holland to the DL; Cordero earns save for Blue Jays

April 23, 2012

Boston Red Sox – After Daniel Bard’s turn in the rotation was rained out on Sunday night, Bobby Valentine announced he will use Bard to bolster the back end of the team’s bullpen — but also vowed that Bard will still make his next scheduled start on Friday. Another debacle like Saturday’s, however, and Bard might wrest the closer job from Alfredo Aceves. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Tazawa |Bailey |4/23/12

 
Kansas City Royals- Greg Holland was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a “stress reaction” in his ribs. Although the ensuing bone scan showed no fracture, he might be three weeks away from returning to the Royals pen. Lefty José Mijares will likely move to 2nd in line, but young fireballer Jeremy Jeffress could move up quickly if he can harness his stuff. Hierarchy change: Aaron Crow to Set-up, José Mijares to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Crow |Mijares |Broxton |4/23/12 |Soria(DL) |Holland(DL) |

  
Toronto Blue Jays- With Sergio Santos on the DL, new closer Francisco Cordero picked up a somewhat rocky save in his first day on the job. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Cordero |Janssen |Frasor |Santos |4/23/12 |Santos (DL) |

  
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Casey Janssen or Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays– Francisco Cordero has pitched in two of the last three games, and if the Blue Jays want to limit his workload, another pitcher might get a shot to close on Monday.

New closer in TB; Red Sox bullpen a mess

Boston Red Sox- Alfredo Aceves and Mark Melancon both blew save chances in Sunday’s Red Sox game, with manager Bobby Valentine saying after the game that there were lots of options on the table, including possibly bringing Daniel Bard back to the bullpen.  Franklin Morales, who had a strong outing Sunday, could also be a candidate to close.  Hierarchy change: Franklin Morales to 2nd in line, replacing Vicente Padilla.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Melancon |Morales |Bailey |4/9/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks- Bryan Shaw picked up the save on Sunday, as JJ Putz had pitched two consecutive days prior.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Saito |Putz |4/9/12

 
Tampa Bay Rays- Fernando Rodney closed out Sunday’s game against the Yankees, notching his second save in as many days.  It seems that Joel Peralta’s leash was at short as it could be, as Rodney will close until Kyle Farnsworth returns from the DL.  Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodney to Closer, Joel Peralta to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |McGee |Farnsworth |4/9/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Kerry Wood- Carlos Marmol has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.
Vinnie Pestano/Rafael Perez- Chris Perez has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.  So, too, has Pestano, however, so Rafael Perez is also a candidate for a vulture save opp.
Jon Rauch- Frank Francisco has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.
Greg Holland- Jonathon Broxton has pitched two days in a row.

Visit our main page for more fantasy baseball bullpen information.

Winter dealings: Melancon, Bell, Street, Santos, etc

Lots of winter moves to report.  Visit our main page for more info.

Boston Red Sox- The Red Sox acquired Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros, and the righty will move into the closer’s role.  The Red Sox have not yet determined a role for Daniel Bard, who may be moving to the rotation.  Hierarchy change: Mark Melancon to Closer, replacing Daniel Bard. 
Houston Astros- With the trade of Mark Melancon, the Astros will probably give Brandon Lyon another shot at closing.  Lyon, in the 2nd of a 3-year, $15 million deal with Houston, was hampered by injuries last year but will be healthy to start the season.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Lyon to Closer, replacing Mark Melancon.
Texas Rangers- The Rangers have announced that Neftali Feliz will move to the rotation in 2012.  Joe Nathan will assume the closer role.  Hierarchy change: Joe Nathan to Closer, replacing Neftali Feliz.
Florida Marlins- The Marlins just gave a fat contract to Heath Bell, who will immediately assume the closer role.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, Edward Mujica to Set-up, Steve Cishek to 2nd in line.
Toronto Blue Jays- The Blue Jays have traded for Sergio Santos, who will assume the closer’s role from the departing Frank Francisco.  Hierarchy change: Sergio Santos to Closer, replacing Frank Francisco.
Chicago White Sox- Down the stretch in 2011, the White Sox split closing opportunities between Sergio Santos and Chris Sale.  They’ve since traded Santos and announced that Sale will move to the rotation, which means a full revamp of the back end of their bullpen. The way it stands now, Jesse Crain will get the first crack at closing.  Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to Closer, Matt Thornton to Set-up, Addison Reed to 2nd in line.
Minnesota Twins- Joe Nathan has been signed away by the Rangers, which means Matt Capps will reassume the closer role in 2012.  Hierarchy change: Matt Capps to Closer, Jose Mijares to 2nd in line.
New York Mets- The Mets acquired Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch during the winter GM meetings, and Sandy Alderson has announced that Francisco will close, with Rauch setting up.  Hierarchy change: Frank Francisco to Closer, Jon Rauch to Set-up, Bobby Parnell to 2nd in line.
San Diego Padres- The Padres acquired Huston Street from the Rockies for a player to be named later, and Street will likely assume the closer’s role vacated by Heath Bell.  Hierarchy change: Huston Street to Closer, replacing Heath Bell.