Ryan Cook primary set up man; Joe Nathan still closer

April 14, 2012

Texas Rangers – Alexi Ogando got the save last night.  Ron Washington declared after the game that Joe Nathan was still the closer but with Adams getting the save the night before, the Rangers have several other options if Nathan continues to struggle. Joe Nathan to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Adams |Ogando |Nathan |4/14/12

 
Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook got the call for the 8th inning in a 3 run game last night and manager Bob Melvin has said that he plans on using Cook as his primary right-handed set up man.  Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to 2nd in line, replacing Fautino De Los Santos.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Fuentes |Cook |Balfour |4/14/12

 
Baltimore Orioles – Pedro Strop pitched in the 8th last night with the Orioles up one.   Strop has only given up one run so far this season while Kevin Gregg has gotten off to a slow start.   Hierarchy change: Pedro Strop to Set-up, replacing Kevin Gregg.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/14/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen came in for the save with the Dodgers up 2 in the 9th but was unable to convert the save opportunity.  Javy Guerra is still clearly the closer and was just getting a day off after pitching three consecutive days.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Guerrier |Guerra |4/14/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – Logan Ondrusek pitched 1.2 scoreless innings last night and has yet to give up a run this season.  He replaces the injured Nick Massett and moves to second in line behind Marshall and Chapman.  Hierarchy change: Logan Ondrusek to 2nd in line, replacing Nick Masset.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Marshall |Chapman |Ondrusek |Madson |4/14/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals  – Lidge has pitched two days in a row and it still should be Rodriguez’s turn for a save opp since Lidge got the lass one.
2. Francisco Cordero, Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos was not with the team last night due to the birth of his daughter.  Santos is expected to back today in time for the game but if something came up and Santos was not able to get back in time for the game, Cordero would likely get the save opportunity.

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.