Cam Bedrosian might have to share save chances

April 4, 2017

Los Angeles Angels – Despite his excellent spring training, Cam Bedrosian will share closing duties while Huston Street is out. Mike Scioscia shied away from calling the arrangement a “committee,” saying instead that he wants to retain the flexibility to use his ‘closer’ earlier in the game if matchups require. Wise though this might be, the downside to fantasy owners requires us to brand this ‘pen with the committee asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: *Bedrosian | Bailey | Parker.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — The A’s played matchups in the late innings, deploying Sean Doolittle against Kole Calhoun, then bringing in Ryan Madson to face Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. This left Santiago Casilla to grab the save in the ninth. Bob Melvin has talked about doing things a little differently in the bullpen, and this looks like the makings of a full-fledged closer committee.

Updated hierarchy: *Madson | Casilla | Doolittle.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays — With Roberto Osuna on the DL, the Blue Jays have slotted 40-year-old Jason Grilli at closer in the meantime. Seizing the opportunity, Grilli gave up a walk-off home run on Opening Day. Blue Jays fans can console themselves with the knowledge that Osuna will be back in five days, and the performance of Joe Biagini, who kept the game tied in the seventh and eighth. Manager John Gibbons has spoken highly of Biagini, even suggesting that he may get some save chances with Osuna out.

Updated hierarchy: Grilli | Smith | Biagini.

Minnesota Twins — Despite cruising to a 7-1 victory, the Twins took no chances in the ninth, calling on closer Brendan Kintzler to slam the door. In the eighth, veteran righty Matt Belisle needed just 11 pitches to retire the side, and won plaudits for his high socks. Belisle could be the veteran presence Minnesota needs to help stabilize its bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Pressly | Belisle.

Philadelphia Phillies — After Jeanmar Gomez (ranked as our #30 preseason closer) gave up a two-run homer in his 2017 debut, manager Pete Mackanin allowed that he was “concerned.” With several superior arms backing Gomez up — Hector Neris, Joaquin Benoit, Edubray Ramos, and Pat Neshek — Mackanin should probably go ahead and act on that concern.

Hierarchy remains: Gomez | Neris | Benoit.

Boston Red Sox – In a bit of a surprise, Joe Kelly didn’t see action in Boston’s opener, even though the situation seemed to call for him. The Sox won, but Boston writers are already nervous.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Kelly | Barnes.

Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day has been suffering from the flu and was unavailable on Monday. The Orioles have today off, but if O’Day isn’t healthy by Wednesday, Buck Showalter says he might go to the disabled list.

Updated hierarchy: Britton | Brach | O’Day.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jeremy Jeffress, Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson had a rough time on Monday, giving up three runs on 23 pitches. Jeffress wasn’t used. If Dyson does get the call again tonight, look for Jeffress or Matt Bush on Wednesday.

Wednesday (new feature):
2. Randall Delgado/J.J. Hoover, Arizona Diamondbacks — Fernando Rodney threw 30 pitches on Monday. If he’s used in Tuesday night’s game, we don’t expect to see him on Wednesday.
3. Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies — Greg Holland isn’t likely to go in three straight, so expect a pending vulture if he pitches this evening.
4. Andrew Miller/Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — If Cody Allen or Miller pitch on Tuesday, they probably won’t go again on Wednesday.

2017 NL West Preview

March 1, 2017

Arizona Diamondbacks — With swole shoulders and an ever-crooked hat, the Fernando Rodney Experience moves on to its fifth team since 2015. The 40-year-old Rodney was signed to a one-year deal, suggesting that the Diamondbacks hope to deal Rodney like the Padres did last June, turning the closer’s uber-fluky .210 BABIP and 1306(!!!) ERA+ into a pitching prospect. But if Arizona gets the version of Rodney that stunk up Miami with a 1.80 WHIP last summer, they’ll turn to Randall Delgado, Enrique Burgos, or Jake Barrett. Barrett’s recent shoulder stiffness puts him at the back of the pack now, but we think he actually has the best stuff of the three.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Delgado | Burgos.
Holds candidates: Delgado, Burgos, Barrett.

Colorado Rockies — None of this newfangled bullpen fluidity for Bud Black: the Colorado manager is a traditionalist who likes his beer cold, his TV loud, and his closers strictly identified, “dog.” Although that article suggests that Black wants Greg Holland to return to his past ninth-inning greatness, the former Royal has yet to appear in a spring training game, continuing rehab from his 2015 Tommy John surgery. Based on that uncertainty, we’ll give the tentative edge to Adam Ottavino, whose new two-seam fastball looked good in a small sample size last season. Jake McGee and Mike Dunn are likely to fill late-inning roles, with old friends Jason Motte, Chad Qualls, and Carlos Estevez also hanging around (at least for now).

Starting 2017 hierarchy: Ottavino | Holland | McGee.
Holds candidates: Holland, McGee, Mike Dunn.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen turned down a massive offer from the Washington Nationals to re-sign with the Dodgers this offseason. LA also picked up longtime Giant (but longer-time Dodger fan) Sergio Romo to handle the eighth inning. The seventh inning is up in the air: Pedro Baez has a bone bruise on his pitching hand, leaving a battle among lefties Adam Liberatore, Grant Dayton, and Luis Avilan. Chris Hatcher and Josh Fields are the best remaining righties.

Starting 2017 hierarchy: Jansen | Romo | Liberatore.
Holds candidates: Romo, Liberatore, Dayton, Avilan.

San Diego Padres — This is Brandon Maurer’s job to lose, but if Carter Capps is healthy, lose it he should. Capps has a new (probably still illegal) two-hop delivery following Tommy John surgery, and his upside is far higher than the rather pedestrian Maurer. Ryan Buchter and Brad Hand were extremely solid lefties last year and may be called on in the eighth if Capps isn’t quite ready by Opening Day.

Starting 2017 hierarchy: Maurer | Capps | Buchter.
Holds candidates: Buchter, Hand, Kevin Quackenbush.

San Francisco Giants — Mark Melancon’s enormous offseason deal might pay dividends this season, but is likely to wind up as an expensive albatross as he ages. Hunter Strickland will back him up, with Derek Law and Will Smith (currently suffering from elbow inflammation) also late-inning options.

Starting 2017 hierarchy: Melancon | Strickland | Law.
Holds candidates: Strickland, Law, Smith, Josh Osich, Cory Gearrin.

Jeanmar Gomez may not finish season as closer

September 21, 2016

Philadelphia Phillies — It’s been a while since we’ve updated you on the Phillies’ bullpen, but the final days of the season have become more interesting. Jeanmar Gomez entered Tuesday’s ninth inning with a 7-3 lead and retired two of the first three batters. However, an infield single, walk, wild pitch and double made it 7-6 and paved the way for Michael Mariot to earn his first career save. After the game, manager Pete Mackanin hinted that he is considering a change in closer. With the season long out of reach and Gomez struggling mightily of late, don’t be surprised if “potential closer” Hector Neris gets the first crack at saves soon, with Edubray Ramos also likely to get at least one chance before the season ends.

Hierarchy remains: Gomez | Neris | Ramos.

San Francisco Giants – Well well well, look who finally got a chance to get a save. For the first time since July 27, 2015, Sergio Romo closed out a game, pitching a clean ninth to secure a 2-0 win over the Dodgers. It was a stellar night for a struggling bullpen, as lefties Steven Okert and Will Smith bridged the gap to Romo beautifully. Smith has thrown 14 scoreless innings and has a hold in six straight appearances. Smith should at least get the eighth inning today against the Dodgers, a team that is hitting .210 against lefties. As for Romo, Bochy refused to define his role, but we’ll move him to the top of a lackluster committee. He has closing experience and actually got a save, which the Giants haven’t earned since Sept. 11. We’ll see how long he stays there.

Updated hierarchy: *Romo | Law | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – With A.J. Ramos requiring a night off, it was David Phelps, and not Fernando Rodney, who faced the heart of the Washington order in the ninth inning. Phelps did the job, preserving a 1-0 lead and moving past Rodney in the Miami hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Phelps | Rodney.

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs plan to activate Pedro Strop on Friday and he is expected to pitch that afternoon against the Cardinals. He is not expected, however, to see a ton of time on the mound prior to the postseason, as the Cubs anticipate Strop needing just four more innings of work upon his return.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Rondon | Edwards.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies – If he doesn’t get the job outright on Wednesday, he may still vulture a chance from Jeanmar Gomez, who threw 22 pitches in an awful outing on Tuesday.
2. Mauricio Cabrera, Atlanta Braves – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Luke Gregerson, Houston Astros – Ken Giles has also pitched in two straight and three of four, including a 26-pitch outing on Tuesday.

Sean Doolittle ever more likely to return to closing in Oakland

September 17, 2016

Pittsburgh Pirates — Tony Watson converted his 13th save in the tenth inning of Friday’s game, but the real stories happened in front of him. Swingman Juan Nicasio set a club record with his 28th straight relief appearance with at least one strikeout, and Antonio Bastardo picked up the win with a clean ninth inning. Neftali Feliz hasn’t pitched since September 3, and though the team believes he’ll pitch again this season, it’s time to reward Bastardo for his legit work setting up Watson.

Updated hierarchy: Watson | Rivero | Bastardo.

Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara pitched a clean eighth inning last night, his fifth straight scoreless appearance since returning from the DL. Over that time, Uehara has a 0.60 WHIP and has thrown 78% of his pitches for strikes. Koji seems to be returning to his eighth-inning role, and we’ll edge him in front of Brad Ziegler.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Uehara | Ziegler.

Oakland A’s — Ryan Madson’s seventh blown save of the season on Friday renews speculation that the team will return Sean Doolittle to the role next year, if not sooner.

Updated hierarchy: Madson | Doolittle | Axford.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Fernando Rodney, Miami Marlins — A.J. Ramos took the loss last night in the 12th inning, after throwing 30 pitches. He has pitched in three of the last four, so he is likely going to get a rest today.
2. Ryan Buchter/Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — Brandon Maurer blew a save with 36 pitches on Friday. Buchter has pitched in two of three, so Quack might get another shot.
3. Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton has pitched in three of four and five of seven.

Bruce Rondon finishing strong

September 15, 2016

Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon pitched a clean 8th inning ahead of Francisco Rodriguez on Wednesday, his second straight appearance where he’s nabbed an 8th inning hold. It also marked his 9th straight scoreless appearance (9 IP, 13 Ks, 4 BBs), and with his usage over the last few games, he’s the closest thing the Tigers have to a handcuff for K-Rod.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Rondon | J.Wilson.

Miami Marlins – David Phelps returned from the disabled list and also returned to the Miami bullpen, splitting the 8th inning with Mike Dunn. Phelps, who set up for A.J. Ramos for a time earlier this year, re-enters the hierarchy as a reliable bridge to the late-inning guys.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Rodney | Phelps.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies – Jeanmar Gomez has pitched in three straight.
2. Tyler Clippard, New York Yankees – Dellin Betances has thrown in back to back games (2.1 IP). Clippard has also appeared in both games, but with a significantly lighter workload.
3. Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton has pitched in back to back games and four of five.