Edward Mujica on verge of losing job; Jim Johnson gets demolished

August 10, 2015

Oakland A’s – Edward Mujica’s time as closer for the A’s may have already come to an end. Staked to a 2-run lead against the Astros, Mujica threw 10 pitches, allowing two singles and a go-ahead 3-run home run. The A’s bailed him out by rallying in the bottom half of the inning, but Bob Melvin implied after the game that someone else might get the next save chance. At the very least, Mujica is now in a committee, and Drew Pomeranz or Fernando Rodriguez could end up the full-time stopper in the near future.

Updated hierarchy: *Mujica | Pomeranz | Rodriguez.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies – John Axford finished off the 7th inning of a tie game, and then stayed on to pitch the 8th, ultimately earning the win when the Rockies pushed a couple runs across against Drew Storen. In a bullpen as shaky as this, that’s good enough for a place on the hierarchy — Axford moves back ahead of Rafael Betancourt, who coughed up the lead in the 6th.

Updated hierarchy: Kahnle | Miller | Axford.

Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee picked up his 6th save of the year on Sunday, as Brad Boxberger got the night off after pitching in five of the previous seven games. McGee continues to have tremendous value in holds leagues and is only a Boxberger misstep or two away from full time closer role.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | McGee | Geltz.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Jim Johnson was already off to a very rocky start to his Dodgers career, and that was before Sunday night’s historically bad outing. After a shellacking like that, it’s hard to picture Don Mattingly giving Johnson any more high-leverage chances for a good while. The only two Dodgers middle relievers who have been doing their jobs as of late are Pedro Baez and Juan Nicasio, and we’ll slot them in to the hierarchy for the time being.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Nicasio.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jeanmar Gomez, Philadelphia Phillies – Ken Giles has pitched in three straight.

Bruce Rondon records save while Jean Machi could see saves for Red Sox

August 9, 2015

Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon struck out two batters in the 9th inning last night to protect a one run lead and get his first save of the season.  Alex Wilson was unavailable due to right shoulder fatigue, and will be kept out of Sunday’s game as well.  Manager Brad Ausmus said he would have gone with Wilson if he was available, but he left it open for the future.  Wilson’s injury, as well as Rondon’s performance, will be worth monitoring to determine who ends up seeing the most save chances the rest of the season.

Hierarchy remains: *Wilson | Rondon | Alburquerque.
* = closer-by-committee.

Boston Red Sox — Junichi Tazawa entered the game in the 7th inning last night with the Red Sox up one, but was unable to hold on to the lead.  He gave up a two-run homer to Victor Martinez and recorded a blown save for the third straight outing.  Jean Machi has been mentioned as a possible closer while Uehara is unavailable and with Tazawa’s struggles, he looks to be first in line for saves.

Updated hierarchy: Uehara | Machi | Tazawa.

Oakland A’s — Edward Muijca worked a perfect 9th inning yesterday for his first save with the A’s.  Injured closer Sean Doolittle pitched a scoreless inning on a rehab assignment on Friday.  He is expected to pitch another inning today and could be back in the next couple weeks.

Hierarchy remains: Mujica | Pomeranz | Rodriguez.

Colorado Rockies — Manager Walt Weiss was impressed by Tommy Kahnle’s first save and said he wants him pitching in the ninth inning more often.  We will remove the asterisk for now and hope we don’t jinx him like we seemingly did for Carson Smith when we removed his asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: Kahnle | Miller | Betancourt.

Chicago Cubs – Justin Grimm got the last out of the 9th yesterday to pick up his third save of the season.  The Cubs entered the 9th inning with a 5 run lead but James Russell and Jason Motte combined to give up three runs on four hits while only recording two outs.  Grimm entered the game with the tying-run at the plate and was able to record a ground out to end the game.

Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Strop | Hunter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bruce Rondon, Detroit Tigers – Alex Wilson will be held out of Sunday’s game to rest his shoulder
2. Jean Machi, Boston Red Sox – After Tazawa’s rough outing yesterday, Machi would like get the call if Uehara is still unavailable.
3. Drew Pomeranz, Oakland A’s – Edward Mujica has pitched in three of the past four days.
4. Tony Watson/Jared Hughes, Pittsburgh Pirates – Melancon, Soria, and Watson have all pitched in two straight and three of the last four.  Watson has thrown the fewest pitches over that time (including only six yesterday) so he could be available. If the Pirates choose to give all three guys a rest, Hughes could get the call.
5. Kirby Yates, Tampa Bay Rays – Boxberger, McGee, and Geltz all pitched yesterday and have all pitched in five of the last seven days.  Kirby Yates could get a shot if all three are unavailable on Sunday.

Edward Mujica to close in Oakland; new committee in Toronto

July 29, 2015

Oakland A’s – While still unconfirmed that he subscribes to Closer Monkey, A’s manager Bob Melvin made sure Edward Mujica will remain at the top of our hierarchy, saying before the game that Mujica will close following the Tyler Clippard trade. Mujica’s experience was the main factor in Melvin’s decision. Drew Pomeranz will remain in a set-up role, but Melvin also mentioned he can be used in multiple situations out of the bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: Mujica | Pomeranz | O’Flaherty.

Toronto Blue Jays – Prior to Tuesday’s tilt, manager John Gibbons stated that Roberto Osuna and Aaron Sanchez will share the 8th and 9th innings, while newcomer LaTroy Hawkins and Bo Schultz will split the 6th and 7th innings. Hawkins made his Toronto debut on Tuesday with the Jays trailing, and since Toronto lost, it remains a mystery as to who will get the first crack at a save between Osuna and Sanchez.

Updated hierarchy: *Osuna | Sanchez | Hawkins.

* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies finally dealt away Jonathan Papelbon yesterday, clearing the 9th inning for longtime heir apparent Kenneth Giles, who earned his first save of the season last night. Giles first turned heads at the major league level in 2014, when he posted what was one of the best seasons for a reliever in the game (1.18 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 64 Ks in 45.2 innings). He hasn’t been quite as dominant this year, but early-season nagging injuries may have played a role. We’re guessing he’s already owned if your league is even remotely deep, but if not, he’s a must add. We expect he’ll be the closer in Philadelphia for a good while. Luis Garcia got the 8th on Tuesday, and he’ll join Jeanmar Gomez and occasionally Jake Diekman as the bridge to Giles.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Gomez | Garcia.

Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon was officially traded to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. This is bad news for Drew Storen owners, as Papelbon said he would only waive his no-trade clause if he was going to continue to close games on the other side. Papelbon, for all his general repulsiveness, is still a very good closer. With a strong Washington team behind him, he’s among the favorites to lead the league in saves the rest of the way. Storen, meanwhile, becomes one of the best middle relievers in baseball.

Updated hierarchy: Papelbon | Storen | Janssen.

Chicago Cubs – Jason Motte had a much better appearance yesterday than he did on Monday, but his clean inning of work was in a 7-2 loss. After the game, Joe Maddon was asked about Hector Rondon, and Maddon indicated that not only could Rondon win the job back, but that he anticipates Rondon will do just that. Maddon then praised Pedro Strop while acknowledging that Rafael Soriano “is still not on the top of his game.” What does this mean for Motte? We’ll keep him at the top of the heap for now, but Rondon is closing in fast.

Updated hierarchy: Motte | Rondon | Strop.

New York Mets – Tyler Clippard made his Mets debut on Tuesday and recorded the final three outs of a 4-0 win. His addition came at the perfect time for the Mets, as Jenrry Mejia was suspended for 162 games due to PED use. This means that Bobby Parnell will get the majority of the seventh-inning holds going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Clippard | Parnell. 

Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman pitched the 9th in a non-save situation after the Reds took a 4-0 lead in the top half of the frame. That’s normally not newsworthy, but Chapman may not be pitching for the Reds much longer. Both the Diamondbacks and the Giants are reportedly interested in Chapman, with Arizona’s GM confirming that the D-Backs are “going down that path.” If Chapman does move, J.J. Hoover is our most likely candidate to take over the closer’s role.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Hoover | Badenhop.

New York Yankees — Adam Warren picked up a three-inning save as the Yankees crushed the Rangers, 21-5. He does not factor into the Yankees’ late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Wilson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hector Rondon, Chicago Cubs – Jason Motte has pitched in back-to-back games, and as mentioned above, Rondon may win the job soon enough.
2. Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays – Sanchez and Roberto Osuna will be sharing the 8th and 9th innings.

Mujica, Pomeranz could close in Oakland; Hawkins traded to Toronto

July 28, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays – The Rockies completed a mega-trade in the wee hours this morning that sent All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and veteran set-up man LaTroy Hawkins to the Toronto Blue Jays for shortstop Jose Reyes, reliever Miguel Castro, minor leaguers, and cash. While the shortstops will get the headlines this morning, we know you care only about how this trade affects the bullpens! LaTroy Hawkins will provide the Jays with a much needed arm in one of the league’s sketchiest pens. It is unclear right now exactly how John Gibbons plans to use him, but our best guess is that he’ll be a 7th inning guy who picks up a few holds now and again.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Sanchez | Hawkins.

Colorado Rockies – The Rockies picked up Miguel Castro in the Troy Tulowitzki deal, and given the state of their bullpen, he might get summoned to the big leagues soon. For now, though, we suspect that LaTroy Hawkins’s absence means more holds for Rafael Betancourt and Tommy Kahnle. Keep an eye on Betancourt in particular, who has come around as of late, having allowed only one run in his last nine innings pitched; he’s becoming an appealing alternative to closer John Axford, who destroyed his trade value by allowing 12 ERs in his last 11 innings. Axford blew the save last night after the Rockies staged a big rally to take the lead in the top of the 9th.

Updated hierarchy: Axford | Betancourt | Kahnle.

Chicago Cubs – Beginning on May 16, Jason Motte had a terrific run that saw him give up just 1 run in 21 appearances, pushing him to the front of the closer-by-committee in Chicago. But after winning the full time job, he’s been more hittable, and has now allowed 13 hits in his last 6.1 innings. Last night, he was yanked before recording an out after giving up a home run, single, and double. (After Motte was pulled, Rafael Soriano didn’t fare much better, allowing a home run to Carlos Gonzalez.) There’s been no indication that Joe Maddon will revert to a closer-by-committee, but he’s more the type to just do it, and tell the media of his plans later. Either way, we recommend a long look at Hector Rondon, if he’s available in your leagues; he’s allowed only 1 earned run in his last 25 innings.

Hierarchy remains: Motte | Rondon | Soriano.

Seattle Mariners – After taking the loss last night, Carson Smith has now had two outings and two losses since we removed his asterisk. As mentioned yesterday, the guy who he might have competition from now, though, is Mark Lowe. Lloyd McClendon favorite Fernando Rodney still lurks, as well.

Hierarchy remains: Smith | Lowe | Rodney.

San Francisco Giants – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Santiago Casilla got a night off after pitching back to back games, allowing Sergio Romo to pick up the save.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.

Arizona Diamondbacks – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Brad Ziegler got the night off after pitching three in a row, meaning Daniel Hudson got the keys to the 9th inning. As NOT predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Hudson blew the save, and Andrew Chafin ended up nabbing a 1-out save in the 10th. So close yet so far.

Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Hudson | Hernandez.

Kansas City Royals – Quick, who has more saves since July 19 — Joe Blanton or Aroldis Chapman? If you guessed Chapman, you’re wrong! If you guessed Blanton, well, you’re also wrong. They’re tied. They both have two. I guess this exercise was stupid.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Oakland A’s – Tyler Clippard has been traded to the Mets. As mentioned earlier, we believe Edward Mujica is probably the best bet for saves in Oakland at the moment. Drew Pomeranz could also factor if the A’s continue to reconsider shifting him to the rotation, and one A’s beat writer believes Eric O’Flaherty is a possibility. We will follow this situation closely to see if the A’s anoint someone specific.

Updated hierarchy: *Mujica | Pomeranz | O’Flaherty.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – The Mets’ acquisition of Tyler Clippard won’t displace Jeurys Familia, who has been one of the best closers in the game this year. It will, however, cut into hold opportunities for Jenrry Mejia and Bobby Parnell, as Clippard figures to be the 8th inning guy going forward. On the off chance that the playoffs matter in your fantasy league, know that the Mets likely made this move because they know they won’t have Mejia should they make it to October — he’s barred from postseason play this year as part of his earlier PED suspension.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Clippard | Mejia. 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mark Lowe, Seattle Mariners – Carson Smith has taken losses in back to back appearances and has pitched in four of the last five games.
2. Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox – David Robertson threw 33 pitches last night (46 in the last two days) and Zach Duke has gone three straight.

Edward Mujica, Drew Pomeranz among closer candidates after Tyler Clippard trade

July 27, 2015

Oakland A’s – Tyler Clippard has been traded to the Mets. As mentioned earlier, we believe Edward Mujica is probably the best bet for saves in Oakland at the moment. Drew Pomeranz could also factor if the A’s continue to reconsider shifting him to the rotation, and one A’s beat writer believes Eric O’Flaherty is a possibility. Check back to see if the A’s anoint someone specific.

Updated hierarchy: *Mujica | Pomeranz | O’Flaherty.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – The Mets’ acquisition of Tyler Clippard won’t displace Jeurys Familia, who has been one of the best closers in the game this year. It will, however, cut into hold opportunities for Jenrry Mejia and Bobby Parnell, as Clippard figures to be the 8th inning guy going forward. On the off chance that the playoffs matter in your fantasy league, know that the Mets likely made this move because they know they won’t have Mejia should they make it to October — he’s barred from postseason play this year as part of his earlier PED suspension.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Clippard | Mejia.