Craig Kimbrel: human after all

September 18, 2013

Atlanta Braves — A blown save on Tuesday and three earned runs in his last two appearances should eliminate Craig Kimbrel from any misguided Cy Young consideration. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelDavid CarpenterJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel9/18/13

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San Diego Padres — With Huston Street on bereavement leave, Luke Gregerson picked up the save. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDHuston StreetLuke GregersonNick VincentHuston Street9/18/13

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Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, Joaquin Benoit was unavailable — but Carter Capps’s ineffectiveness for Seattle robbed Jose Veras of his vulture save opportunity. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras9/18/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. B.J. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon needed 32 pitches to get Tuesday’s save.

Melancon could remain Pirates closer even after Grilli’s return

September 3, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon’s outstanding performance as the Bucs’ interim closer could give Clint Hurdle the luxury of easing Jason Grilli back into high-leverage use. Grilli struck out the side in his Monday rehab appearance with the Altoona Curve; he’s expected to make one last rehab appearance on Wednesday for AAA playoff team Indianapolis, unless the big club calls him up first. Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up (DL).

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconTony WatsonJustin WilsonJason Grilli9/3/13
Jason Grilli (DL)

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Toronto Blue Jays — Steve Delabar returned from the disabled list after almost a month and jumped right back into the eighth inning, earning a hold on Monday. Toronto has been leaning on Sergio Santos more than Brett Cecil over the past two weeks, so Santos keeps his slot at #3 for the Jays. Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to Set-up, replacing Brett Cecil.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarSergio SantosSergio Santos9/3/13

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Houston Astros — If you’re still chasing saves right now, you’re probably in your fantasy playoffs — and if you’re in your fantasy playoffs, you’ve probably stayed far away from the hellscape of the post-Veras Houston bullpen. The events of Labor Day won’t inspire you to change that sound plan: after a solid sixth and seventh from putative closer Josh Fields, Kevin Chapman let an inherited runner score to tie the game. Chia-Jen Lo came out for the ninth, which might have been enough to edge him past Fields in our hierarchy. If, that is, Lo hadn’t loaded the bases in time for a Chris Colabello grand slam. On the bright side, Houston’s minor league teams have the best combined record in baseball. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/3/13

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Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, it was Jose Veras who earned the save by finishing off a shutout of Boston. Bet he’s glad he got out of Houston. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras9/3/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has three saves in the last three days.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has pitched on four of the last five days, and Ryan Cook has pitched in three of four himself. Doolittle had Labor Day off.
3. Sergio Santos/Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen has pitched in three of the last four games, and it may be too early for John Gibbons to use Steve Delabar on back-to-back days.

Aaron Crow falling out of favor in Kansas City; Tom Wilhelmsen called up

September 2, 2013

Kansas City Royals – Aaron Crow, who spent the better part of two months as a rock-solid 8th inning man, has fallen out of favor over the last few weeks in Kansas City.  He hasn’t been particularly awful — despite a few recent hiccups, he still sports a 3.09 ERA for the year — but he hasn’t gotten a hold in over two weeks, as the Royals have been more apt to use Kelvin Herrera and Luke Hochevar to bridge the gap to Greg Holland.  The flame throwing Herrera has long been the organizational favorite to hold the set-up role, while Hochevar has revitalized his career in the bullpen and got the call in the 8th last night.  Hierarchy change: Kelvin Herrera to Set-up, Luke Hochevar to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandKelvin HerreraLuke HochevarGreg Holland9/2/13

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Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen was among Seattle’s September callups, and though The Bartender won’t be getting into any high-leverage spots right away, a few good outings could compel the Mariners to put him in to some tighter spots.  If he performs, it could raise his trade value prior to 2014, which is the last year before he is eligible for salary arbitration.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushDanny Farquhar9/2/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dane de la Rosa, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in back to back games and three of the last four days, pitching 3.1 innings and throwing 79 pitches in that span.  Dane de la Rosa also appeared in each of those games, but only logged 2.1 innings and 46 pitches; he’s more suited for the save opportunity today.
2. Jose Veras, Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit has pitched in back to back games and three of the last four, and yesterday’s outing was particularly ugly, as he gave up a grand slam and took the loss.  He might get the day off today.

Rafael Betancourt could be on a short leash; Tommy Hunter picks up save

August 22, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt’s third outing since returning from the DL ended in a blown save.  Betancourt has been reliable all year, and had posted two scoreless appearances since his return.  But he’s also 38 years old, and the Rockies are well out of the playoff race.  With Rex Brothers flourishing in Betancourt’s absence, the Rockies might not need much incentive to turn the keys over to their future closer.  Rafael Betancourt to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRafael BetancourtRex BrothersMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt8/22/13

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Detroit Tigers – Jose Veras got the last out of the 8th inning in a three-run game on Wednesday, then stayed on for the 9th after the Tigers put the game out of reach.  He picked up his 20th save of the season in the process, but is not a threat to Joaquin Benoit.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras8/22/13

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Baltimore Orioles – In a wild 9th inning, Buck Showalter first left Darren O’Day on the mound to try to get the first out, and then yanked him in favor of Brian Matusz after the submariner allowed the first runner to reach.  Matusz walked the only hitter he faced before being pulled in favor of Tommy Hunter, who worked his way through the remainder of the inning to earn the save.  Postgame, Showalter gave no endorsement to embattled closer Jim Johnson, saying the Orioles would do what they could to win the rest of the way.  Given Hunter’s successful outing tonight, he’s probably the best player to add, though Francisco Rodriguez, Matusz, O’Day, and Johnson could all be in the mix.  Hierarchy change: Tommy Hunter to Closer, Jim Johnson to Set-up, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterJim JohnsonFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/21/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched in back to back games and on five of the last six days.
2. J.J. Hoover/Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman threw 35 pitches in a two-inning appearance last night.
3. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera pitched in both ends of Tuesday’s doubleheader, and also picked up a save last night.

Trade deadline moves abound: Veras, Downs, and Crain on the move

July 30, 2013

Los Angeles Angels — Scott Downs was traded to Atlanta on Monday, and Ernesto Frieri had his second terrible outing in his last three appearances, blowing the save and catching the loss. If Frieri keeps this up, Dane de la Rosa and Kevin Jepsen would be Mike Scioscia’s next options to close. Jepsen has a longer track record with the team, but de la Rosa has been picking up some important holds — he pitched the eighth on Monday, while Jepsen has often come in with the team trailing. Keep an eye on this fluid situation if you’re relying on Frieri. Hierarchy change: Dane de la Rosa to Set-up, Ernesto Frieri to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri7/30/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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Houston Astros — In the aftermath of the Jose Veras trade, we suspected the Astros might return to the mediocre Hector Ambriz to protect their vanishingly rare late-inning leads. Houston had other ideas, however, optioning Ambriz to Oklahoma City and recalling two relievers no one has ever heard of: Chia-Jen Lo and Josh Zeid. The seventh-inning role is in flux and could be filled by any of several lousy options: Josh Fields and his sparkling 6.35 ERA, lefty Wesley Wright, who boasts a 1.46 WHIP, or even Lo, who was pitching in the low-A New York-Penn League just five weeks ago. We think Zeid, who had a 10.92 K/9 ratio and 13 saves in 15 opportunities at AAA, is the best of the bunch. Faint praise. Hierarchy change: Josh Zeid to 2nd in line, replacing Hector Ambriz.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose CisneroTravis BlackleyJosh ZeidJose Cisnero7/30/13

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Detroit Tigers — The Tigers acquired Jose Veras from Houston, and are likely to use him and Drew Smyly interchangeably in the seventh and eighth innings, based on how the matchups fall. Veras’s attractive contract terms also make him the new favorite to close for Detroit in 2014. Hierarchy change: Jose Veras to Set-Up, Drew Smyly to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras7/30/13

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Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays took a gamble on Jesse Crain; if he’s able to return from his injury with the same form he exhibited earlier in the season, he’ll be in the thick of the bullpen mix with Joel Peralta and Jake McGee down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to 2nd in line (DL).

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney7/30/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Atlanta Braves — As we expected, Jordan Walden got a vulture save opportunity on Monday, but blew it, giving Scott Downs a vulture win in his first appearance as a Brave. Although Downs was serving in a set-up role for the Angels, we don’t see him challenging the existing hierarchy in Atlanta, at least at this point. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelJordan WaldenLuis AvilanCraig Kimbrel7/30/13

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Chicago White Sox — Injured All-Star righthander Jesse Crain was traded to the Rays on Monday. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHWAddison ReedMatt LindstromNate JonesAddison Reed7/30/13

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