Greg Holland, Steve Cishek struggling

April 8, 2013

Miami Marlins – After getting knocked around in a non-save situation on Friday, Steve Cishek blew a save on Sunday, allowing 2 runs and taking the loss against the Mets.  Cishek doesn’t have a ton of competition in the Miami bullpen.  Mike Dunn got a couple saves last year, but is mostly a match-up guy, while Jon Rauch and Chad Qualls have been around the block a few times and aren’t particularly imposing at this point.  If Cishek continues to struggle, though, the Marlins may have to give someone else a try.  Steve Cishek to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Dunn |Rauch |Cishek |4/8/13

 
Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland had another rough outing on Sunday, one day after blowing the save and taking the loss against the Phillies.  After putting several runners on, Holland had to be pulled for Kelvin Herrera, who cleaned up the mess and earned his first save of the year.  The job still belongs to Holland for now, but Herrera, a fireballer who already has 7 Ks in 3.1 innings this season, could challenge for it if Holland continues to struggle.  Greg Holland to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Herrera |Crow |Holland |4/8/13

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell picked up his first save of the season on Sunday.  The save came two innings after JJ Putz had blown it in the 9th, and David Hernandez and Brad Ziegler had already pitched.  The blown save was the first of the season for Putz, who is not in danger of losing his job.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Ziegler |Putz |4/8/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.

Jonny Venters back on track; Craig Stammen and Kelvin Herrera pick up saves

September 30, 2012

Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera picked up a save in the 14th inning on Saturday.  Greg Holland blew the save in the 9th, but his job is not in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Herrera |Crow |Holland |9/30/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
Atlanta Braves – Jonny Venters is finishing his up-and-down season on the up side.  After picking up the hold in the 8th inning yesterday, he’s got six straight scoreless appearances, and has lowered his ERA from a high of 4.40 in July to 3.28.  Hierarchy change: Jonny Venters to 2nd in line, replacing Chad Durbin.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedATL |Kimbrel |O'Flaherty |Durbin |Kimbrel |9/30/12

 
Washington Nationals – Craig Stammen picked up an extra-inning save on Saturday.  Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, and Sean Burnett had already appeared in the game.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Storen |Clippard |Burnett |Storen |9/30/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Greg Holland to close in KC; deadline moves affect hierarchies for Reds, Cardinals

August 1, 2012

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds acquired Royals closer Jonathan Broxton on Tuesday.  Aroldis Chapman will remain the closer, while Broxton will share the 8th inning role with Sean Marshall.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to 2nd in line, replacing Logan Ondrusek.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Broxton |Madson |8/1/12

 
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals acquired Edward Mujica from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.  Mujica will likely pitch the 7th inning for the Cardinals, which is a role they’ve been trying to fill all season.  Hierarchy change: Edward Mujica to 2nd in line, replacing Victor Marte.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Marte |Motte |8/1/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs was placed on the DL prior to Tuesday’s game.  With a 4-run lead, Kevin Jepsen got out of a jam in the 7th inning before giving way to Jason Isringhausen for the 8th.  Ernesto Frieri pitched the 9th in a non-save situation.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to Set-up, Jason Isringhausen to 2nd in line, Scott Downs to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Jepsen |Isringhausen|Walden |8/1/12 |Downs(DL) |

 
Boston Red Sox – Franklin Morales got a 1-out save in the 6th inning on Tuesday, retiring a hitter before the tarp came out.  The game was never resumed, and Morales was awarded one of the more bogus saves of the season.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Padilla |Miller |Bailey |8/1/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
San Francisco Giants – After pitching three of the last four games, including a blown save on Monday, Santiago Casilla was given the night off.  In a 3-run game, Jeremy Affeldt pitched the last two innings for his second save of the year.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |8/1/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Kansas City Royals – The Royals have traded closer Jonathan Broxton to the Cincinnati Reds, where he will serve as a set-up man.  Greg Holland will inherit the closer job in Kansas City, said Royals manager Ned Yost, though Aaron Crow will be nipping at Holland’s heels if he struggles.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Closer, Aaron Crow to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Crow |Herrera |Holland |7/31/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Jonathan Broxton traded; Greg Holland to close in Kansas City

July 31, 2012

Kansas City Royals – The Royals have traded closer Jonathan Broxton to the Cincinnati Reds, where he will serve as a set-up man.  Greg Holland will inherit the closer job in Kansas City, with Aaron Crow nipping at his heels if he struggles.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Closer, Aaron Crow to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Crow |Herrera |Holland |7/31/12 |Soria(DL) |

Greg Holland returns to 8th inning role for Royals

July 15, 2012

Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has re-taken the lead as the Royals go-to set-up man, an important spot to watch, given the likelihood that Jonathan Broxton will be dealt.  Holland helped to finish off the 7th, and then pitched the 8th inning for the second night in a row, earning the win.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Set-up, Aaron Crow to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |7/15/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
New York Mets – The Mets bullpen is a mess at the moment, but the recently returned Pedro Beato could help provide some stability.  Beato was often used in the 8th inning last year, and could ease back in to a late inning role soon.  Hierarchy change: Pedro Beato to 2nd in line, replacing Tim Byrdak.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rauch |Beato |Francisco |7/15/12 |Francisc(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins – Ron Gardenhire said he wanted to give Matt Capps one or two lower-pressure roles before re-inserting him as closer.  Capps got one such appearance yesterday, pitching the 8th inning in a blowout, but if the Twins want to hold him out of the 9th inning for another day, Glen Perkins will get the save chance.