Heath Bell close to losing his job; Brian Fuentes as temporary closer

May 3, 2012

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour threw 29 pitches in blowing a save on Tuesday, and has been dealing with a sore back, so Brian Fuentes picked up the save in his absence on Wednesday.  But while Balfour remains on the Hot Seat, this isn’t an indication that he’s lost his job yet.  If his back continues to bother him, Brian Fuentes or Ryan Cook will get save opportunities.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Fuentes |Balfour |5/3/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Tim Collins has been used in some tight spots lately, and he recorded the win on Wednesday after getting 2 outs in a tie game in the 8th inning.  Hierarchy change: Tim Collins to 2nd in line, replacing Jose Mijares.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Crow |Collins |Broxton |5/3/12 |Soria(DL) |Holland(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica/Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell blew another save last night, and for the first time, Ozzie Guillen indicated that he may have to look elsewhere for the 9th inning role.  Whether or not Guillen anoints a new closer remains to be seen, but either way, Bell is almost certain to get the day off today, giving Edward Mujica or Steve Cishek the chance to nab a save.

Heath Bell on the hot seat; Frank Francisco day-to-day

May 1, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – The ageless LaTroy Hawkins is sporting a 1.17 ERA and bridged the gap to new closer Scott Downs on Monday.  Hierarchy change: LaTroy Hawkins to 2nd in line, replacing Jason Isringhausen.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Downs |Walden |Hawkins |Walden |5/1/12

 
Colorado Rockies – Edgmer Escalona has been used as the late-innings righty out of the Rockies bullpen over the past week, helping to bridge the gap to Rafael Betancourt twice in the last two days.  Hierarchy change: Edgmer Escalona to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Belisle.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Brothers |Escalona |Betancourt |5/1/12

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell pitched in a non-save situation and was, again, terrible, allowing the Diamondbacks to score two late insurance runs.  Scouts say his velocity is down, and a big contract can’t protect his job forever.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/1/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jon Rauch, New York Mets – Frank Francisco has a tight hamstring and was unavailable Monday.  He’s day to day and could be out today as well.
2. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in back to back games, throwing a total of 44 pitches.
3. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell pitched yesterday in a non-save situation and was, again, terrible.  Ozzie Guillen might give him a night off tonight.

Jim Johnson still hospitalized; Heath Bell blows yet another save

April 27, 2012

Miami Marlins — Another day, another debacle for big-ticket closer Heath Bell, who blew his third save in five chances with a 46-pitch, four-walk nightmare on Thursday. After the game, Ozzie Guillen gave Bell a vote of confidence as the  Miami closer; it seems the Marlins have 27 million reasons to stay the course.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |3/20/12

 
Baltimore Orioles — With Jim Johnson hospitalized all week with a mystery illness, the Orioles have had to turn elsewhere in the ninth during their last three games. After two straight saves for Pedro Strop, Thursday was Luis Ayala’s turn.  Manager Buck Showalter says Johnson could be released from the hospital Friday “if he can hold the food down.” No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/26/12

 
Boston Red Sox — Junichi Tazawa picked up a three-inning save in last night’s blowout win over the White Sox. No hierarchy change.

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

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins — Ozzie Guillen promised to give Heath Bell the day off on Friday, so if the Marlins need a save, they’ll likely turn to set-up man Mujica.
2. Aroldis Chapman,  Cincinnati Reds — Sean Marshall blew his first save of the year on Thursday, and also pitched for the second straight day. Watch for Chapman to get the call in the ninth on Friday, if need be.
3. Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres —  Huston Street has pitched two days in a row, albeit in fairly short outings. There’s a chance he might get Friday off.

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.