Jose Veras – Page 3 – Closer Monkey

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
CHC		Jose Veras		Pedro Strop		Hector Rondon		Pedro Strop		4/7/14

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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
CIN		J.J. Hoover		Sam LeCure		Manny Parra		Aroldis Chapman		4/7/14
		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
HOU		Josh Fields		Chad Qualls		Matt Albers		Josh Fields		4/7/14
				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
LAD		Kenley Jansen		Chris Perez		J.P. Howell		Kenley Jansen		4/7/14
				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
NYM		Jose Valverde		Kyle Farnsworth		Gonzalez Germen		Bobby Parnell		4/7/14
		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.

Nate Jones with injury troubles; movement in New York

April 4, 2014

Chicago White Sox — It was a bad day for White Sox relievers: Nate Jones walked the two men he faced in the seventh, Maikel Cleto let them score, Ronald Belisario gave up a tying home run in the eighth, and Matt Lindstrom blew the save and got tagged for the loss in the ninth. He remains on the Hot Seat, while Jones has had a recurrence of his spring training gluteal strain. There are no good options for Robin Ventura at this point, and he could certainly do worse than Belisario. Hierarchy change: Ronald Belisario to Set-up, Nate Jones to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
CHW		Matt Lindstrom		Ronald Belisario		Nate Jones		Nate Jones		4/4/14

New York Mets — Jeurys Familia and Scott Rice each got smacked around on Thursday and, combined, they’ve retired precisely as many batters as they’ve allowed to score. Gonzalez Germen may have been the last reliever to make the team, but he’s been pretty effective, and we think he’d get the call over Familia, Rice, and Kyle Farnsworth if Jose Valverde falters. This is far from a theoretical exercise, as doctors have told Bobby Parnell he has only a 50-50 shot of avoiding surgery. Hierarchy change: Gonzalez Germen to Set-Up, Jeurys Familia to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
NYM		Jose Valverde		Gonzalez Germen		Jeurys Familia		Bobby Parnell		4/4/14
		Bobby Parnell (DL)

New York Yankees — Adam Warren made an excellent debut in a high-leverage spot, before yielding to Shawn Kelley and new closer David Robertson. Hierarchy change: Adam Warren to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Thornton.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
NYY		David Robertson		Shawn Kelley		Adam Warren		David Robertson		4/4/14

Chicago Cubs — As predicted in Thursday’s Vulture Save Watch, with Jose Veras unavailable, Pedro Strop picked up the save. Veras had thrown 38 pitches after warming up five different times. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
CHC		Jose Veras		Pedro Strop		Hector Rondon		Pedro Strop		4/4/14

2014 NL Central bullpen preview

March 9, 2014

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs signed Jose Veras to a one year deal and he should start the season as their closer. The Cubs used Pedro Strop as their primary set-up man after they traded for him towards the end of last year and he should resume that role again to start 2014. Hector Rondon was mentioned as a potential closer, along with Strop, prior to the Cubs signing Veras. Arodys Vizcaino might be a guy to keep an eye on as he is a youngster with electric stuff. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Jose Veras, Set-up – Pedro Strop, 2nd in line – Hector Rondon.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
CHC		Jose Veras		Pedro Strop		Hector Rondon		Pedro Strop		3/9/14

Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman is already one of the best closers in baseball and could be even better this year now that he feels more at home off the field. J.J. Hoover and Sam LeCure will see time in the 7^th and 8^th innings. Jonathan Broxton is working his way back from injury but could factor into the late innings if he proves he is healthy. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Aroldis Chapman, Set-up – J.J. Hoover, 2nd in line – Sam LeCure.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
CIN		Aroldis Chapman		J.J. Hoover		Sam LeCure		Aroldis Chapman		3/9/14

Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson quietly converted 28 of his 32 save opportunities last year and will begin the season as the closer for the Brewers. Brandon Kintzler was one of the better set-up men in baseball the second half of last season. The Brewers also brought back K-Rod and he could jump ahead of Kintzler if something happens to Henderson, based on his closing experience. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Jim Henderson, Set-up – Brandon Kintzler, 2nd in line – Francisco Rodriguez.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
MIL		Jim Henderson		Brandon Kintzler		Francisco Rodriguez		Jim Henderson		3/9/14

Pittsburgh Pirates– Jason Grilli is the closer for the Pirates and was very good when healthy last season. However he is 37 years old and missed time last year with a right forearm injury. Luckily for Pirates fans they have Mark Melancon, and his 1.39 ERA, waiting to step in if anything happens to Grilli. Tony Watson should round out the back end of the Pirates bullpen. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Jason Grilli, Set-up – Mark Melancon, 2nd in line – Tony Watson.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
PIT		Jason Grilli		Mark Melancon		Tony Watson		Jason Grilli		3/9/14

St. Louis Cardinals– At age 23, Trevor Rosenthal had one of the best seasons of any closers last year and will start the year as closer in 2014. Jason Motte is coming back from Tommy John surgery and might not be ready for the start of the season but should see time in set-up role if he is ready to go. Kevin Siegrist, and his 0.45 ERA, will be used in the 7^th and 8^th innings. Carlos Martinez is competing for a rotation spot but could factor into the late innings if he ends up in the bullpen instead. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Trevor Rosenthal, Set-up – Jason Motte, 2nd in line – Kevin Siegrist.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
STL		Trevor Rosenthal		Jason Motte		Kevin Siegrist		Trevor Rosenthal		3/9/14

Chris Perez has another terrible outing

September 27, 2013

Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez got the dreaded “vote of confidence” from Terry Francona after a blown save on Tuesday, and followed it up on Thursday by getting shelled in a non-save opp. Joe Smith is the best bet for saves if yesterday’s outing costs Perez his job for the remainder of the season. Recently converted starter Justin Masterson is also an option. Chris Perez to Hot Seat.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
CLE		Chris Perez		Joe Smith		Cody Allen		Chris Perez		9/27/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Gregg, Chicago Cubs – Pedro Strop got the opp earlier this week, but Gregg picked up another save on Wednesday. Either one could get the call next time the Cubs have a save chance.
2. Jose Veras, Detroit Tigers – Prior to the Tigers’ offday yesterday, Joaquin Benoit had pitched in three straight. They might give him another day off to make sure he’s totally fresh for the postseason.
3. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Some are clamoring for Mariano Rivera’s Thursday night appearance in Yankee Stadium to be his last outing ever, saying he should sit out the Houston series. If he listens, David Robertson will start his career as the new Yankee closer a few days early.

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
STL		Trevor Rosenthal		Kevin Siegrist		Carlos Martinez		Jason Motte		9/24/13

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
TB		Fernando Rodney		Joel Peralta		Jake McGee		Fernando Rodney		9/24/13

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
HOU		Josh Fields		Josh Zeid		Kevin Chapman		Josh Fields		9/24/13

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.

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