Zach Britton pitching his way out of long relief

May 2, 2014

Los Angeles Dodgers – Chris Perez came on in a save spot in the 8th inning, and then stayed on for the 9th after the Dodgers stretched their lead for his first save of the year.  He’s entrenched as the Los Angeles set-up man and stands to inherit the job should anything happen to Kenley Jansen.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenChris PerezBrian WilsonKenley Jansen5/2/14

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Minnesota Twins – Coming in to 2014, Jared Burton had every reason to be given a long leash as the Twins primary set-up man, as he was the team’s steadiest and best middle reliever over the past two years.  But it’s been a different story for the righty this year, as he’s got an ERA of almost 9 and a 6/9 K/BB ratio through 10.1 innings thus far.  Despite the terrible numbers, he was still being used ahead of Glen Perkins — prior to Thursday, his last two outings were 8th inning holds.  But maybe Ron Gardenhire has finally realized that he’s actually got a great bullpen this year (Casey Fien, Brian Duensing, and Michael Tonkin have all been excellent), and yesterday, Burton was finally given a low-leverage inning to sort himself out.  We still get the feeling that Burton could be used as the backup closer if Perkins needs a night off, so we’ll monitor his usage closely over the weekend.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins5/2/14

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Toronto Blue Jays – Aaron Loup picked up a long relief save on Thursday, but he doesn’t factor in to the usual late-inning plans for Toronto.  No hierarchy change. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos5/2/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

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Baltimore Orioles – He started the season as a long reliever, but Zach Britton has been getting more high-leverage innings as of late.  In the first game of the Orioles’ doubleheader on Thursday, he pitched the 7th inning and earned his 4th hold of the year.  Hierarchy change: Zach Britton to 2nd in line, replacing Brian Matusz.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterDarren O’DayZach BrittonTommy Hunter5/2/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Grant Balfour picked up saves in both halves of Tampa’s doubleheader on Thursday and will likely be unavailable today.
2. Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles – Both Tommy Hunter and Darren O’Day pitched in both games of the Orioles’ doubleheader on Thursday.
3. Jim Johnson, Oakland A’s – As we’ve said for the past week, we think Jim Johnson gets the next save chance in Oakland, and we think the job is his again if he converts it.
4. Chad Qualls/Raul Valdes, Houston Astros – What would the Vulture Save Watch be without a couple of awesome Houston relievers on it?  (Answer: Shorter and less sarcastic.)

Houston’s committee is a real thing; Jose Veras struggles

April 7, 2014

Chicago Cubs – Rick Renteria might be saying he’s not worried about Jose Veras, but we’re just not sure that we believe him.  Yesterday, Veras was summoned in a non-save situation and could only get two outs before being bailed out by Pedro Strop.  So far on the year, the Cubs’ closer has allowed 3 ERs in 1.2 innings while walking 6 and hitting a batter.  Veras appears to have some time to turn this around, but a few more bad outings and the Cubs may have to look to Strop, who has yet to allow a run in 3.1 innings so far.  Jose Veras to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCJose VerasPedro StropHector RondonPedro Strop4/7/14

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Cincinnati Reds – Manny Parra pitched the 8th inning for the Reds in a 1-run game on Sunday, and then, with two lefties due up in the 9th, stayed on and picked up his first career save.  With Jonathan Broxton due to be activated as early as tomorrow, Parra probably won’t be getting many more opportunities, but the lefty is off to a fine start this season, having logged 4.2 scoreless innings.  Hierarchy change: Manny Parra to 2nd in line, replacing Logan Ondrusek.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJ.J. HooverSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/7/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Jonathan Broxton (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

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Houston Astros – So, unfortunately, it looks like the Astros are serious about this committee thing.  On Sunday, Chad Qualls was called upon to put out an Anthony Bass fire, and retired the final two hitters for his first save of the year.  Of the three relievers that Bo Porter tapped to share the stopper role in Houston before the season started, it’s actually Matt Albers who has been the best — he’s thrown 4.2 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts and 0 walks.  But so far, Qualls and Josh Fields are the ones with one save apiece.  We still like Fields the best of these three, as he’s been used only twice, and both times was given the keys to the 9th inning.  But get used to seeing Qualls and Albers in the Vulture Save Watch indefinitely.  Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to Set-up, Matt Albers to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChad QuallsMatt AlbersJosh Fields4/7/14
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Los Angeles Dodgers – J.P. Howell picked up his first hold of the year on Sunday.  Should something happen to Kenley Jansen, we don’t think the Howell would be tapped for the 9th inning ahead of Chris Perez, but the lefty has been a key cog in the Los Angeles bullpen thus far.  Three of his four appearances have come in the 8th inning ahead of Jansen.  Hierarchy change: J.P. Howell to 2nd in line, replacing Brandon League.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenChris PerezJ.P. HowellKenley Jansen4/7/14
Brian Wilson (DL)

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New York Mets – Bobby Parnell will have Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2014 season.  As previously mentioned, Jose Valverde will close for the foreseeable future, while Kyle Farnsworth is the best bet to step in if Valverde falters.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMJose ValverdeKyle FarnsworthGonzalez GermenBobby Parnell4/7/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in back to back games and in four of the last five.
2. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Due to recent usage, listed closer Josh Fields is probably the best bet for any Astros save chance today, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.

The top 15 relievers for holds in fantasy baseball

For those of you in leagues that focus on holds, here’s our take on the top 15 options:

1. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals
2. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays
3. Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves
4. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals
6. Sergio Santos, Toronto Blue Jays
7. Luke Gregerson, Oakland A’s
8. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays
9. Alexi Ogando, Texas Rangers
10. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox
11. Brian Wilson, Los Angeles Dodgers
12.  Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins
13. Brandon Kintzler, Milwaukee Brewers
14. Edward Mujica, Boston Red Sox
15. Jason Motte, St. Louis Cardinals

2014 AL Central bullpen preview

March 9, 2014

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox traded their closer Addison Reed in the off-season and Robin Ventura has not announced who will take over his job for 2014.  Nate Jones and Matt Lindstrom seem to be the favorites for the job but both are battling injuries so far.  Jones should be the leading candidate, as he is 6 years younger, has a fastball in the upper 90s, and was 8th among relievers with 89 strikeouts last year.  However, Robin Ventura proved that he is unpredictable when he let Hector Santiago start out closing 2 years ago.  Rookie Daniel Webb could also be an option.  Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Nate Jones, Set-up – Matt Lindstrom, 2nd in line – Daniel Webb.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHWNate JonesMatt LindstromDaniel WebbNate Jones3/9/14

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Cleveland Indians  –The Indians removed Chris Perez as closer at the end of last season and then cut him in the off-season.  They brought in John Axford to close and they are hoping he is as successful at finishing games as he is at picking the Oscars.  Cody Allen should serve as the primary set up man as he struck out 88 batters in 70 innings and finished with an ERA under 2.50 last season.  Bryan Shaw and Vinnie Pestano could also be in the mix for saves if Axford struggles.  Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – John Axford, Set-up – Cody Allen, 2nd in line – Bryan Shaw.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEJohn AxfordCody AllenBryan ShawCody Allen3/9/14

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Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit, who led the Tigers in saves in 2014, is gone but they brought in a pretty good replacement: Joe Nathan.  Nathan is coming off an incredible year in Texas and will take over as closer for the Tigers.  If anything happens to the 39 year-old Nathan, young flamethrowers Bruce Rondon and Al Alburquerque could step in.  Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Joe Nathan, Set-up – Bruce Rondon, 2nd in line – Al Alburquerque.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoe NathanBruce RondonAl AlburquerqueJoe Nathan3/9/14

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Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland solidified himself as an elite closer last year, finishing the season with over 100 Ks and a WHIP under 1.  Luke Hochevar was a solid set up man last year but he will have Tommy John surgery and miss the entire season.  Kelvin Herrera should step in as the primary set up man, with Aaron Crow also seeing some time in the later innings.  Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Greg Holland, Set-up – Kelvin Herrera, 2nd in line – Aaron Crow.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandKelvin HerreraAaron CrowGreg Holland3/9/14

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Minnesota Twins  – The Twins will return most of their key bullpen arms from last year and didn’t make any big adds to their relief corps.  Glen Perkins will be the closer again, with Jared Burton and Casey Fien setting him up.  Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Glen Perkins, Set-up – Jared Burton, 2nd in line – Casey Fien.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins3/9/14

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An unsettled bullpen for the Cardinals’ stretch run

September 24, 2013

St. Louis Cardinals — Over the weekend, the Cardinals demoted Edward Mujica from the closer role in favor of a committee, and on Monday night, erstwhile set-up man Trevor Rosenthal picked up its first save. Other possible committee members include Carlos Martinez, former closer John Axford, and lefty Kevin Siegrist — who got the first out of the ninth on Monday and hasn’t given up a run in nearly two months. Hierarchy change: Trevor Rosenthal to Closer, Kevin Siegrist to Set-Up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLTrevor RosenthalKevin SiegristCarlos MartinezJason Motte9/24/13

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Tampa Bay Rays — After nearly three months on the disabled list, All-Star set-up man Jesse Crain was finally activated on Monday. If he’s truly healthy, he should soon pass Jake McGee as Tampa’s top seventh-inning option. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney9/24/13

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Houston Astros — One week into our prediction, Josh Fields and your mother are tied in recent saves, and she has a decided advantage over his recent 2.00 WHIP. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsJosh ZeidKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/24/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Siegrist/Carlos Martinez/John Axford, St. Louis Cardinals — As the Cardinals head into the postseason, their ninth innings will be handled by a potentially crowded committee.
2. Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has pitched in back-to-back games, including a 27-pitch outing last night.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins was used for two innings (27 pitches) on Monday night.