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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Frank Francisco returns, disappoints fans by not throwing any chairs

September 9, 2013

New York Mets – Frank Francisco, written off by the Mets earlier this year, actually got healthy enough to make a return to the bigs, just in time to try and prove to everyone that he can still get a few outs so he can get a new contract somewhere this offseason.  The Mets are likely determined to get at least a few innings out of the expensive, chair-throwing, would-be closer, and they actually sent him out in his first outing to get the last 2 outs of the 8th inning in a one run game.  With Gonzalez Germen struggling in recent weeks, Francisco might actually be the best bet for saves on nights when LaTroy Hawkins is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Frank Francisco to Set-up, Gonzalez Germen to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsFrank FranciscoGonzalez GermenBobby Parnell9/9/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Oakland A’s – The fantasy managers out there that picked up Brett Anderson two weeks ago (no one) have now gotten three saves out of the converted perfect gamer.  At this point, it doesn’t seem that outlandish to suggest that Anderson might get another long-relief save or two before the season ends, as the A’s might continue to use him in this fashion going forward.  In the deepest of leagues, he might be worth an add if you’re in a very tight race for saves.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook9/9/13

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Philadelphia Phillies – Despite his relative inexperience, we boldly decided to list B.J. Rosenberg as the Philadelphia set-up man last week, but then got timid after he was given five straight days off, promoting Jacob Diekman after Rosenberg was absent on several nights where an 8th-inning hold was available.  So, of course, with Jonathan Papelbon unavailable yesterday, it was Rosenberg who got the 9th inning vulture save chance.  He converted for his first major league save.  Stick to your guns next time, Monkey!  Hierarchy change: B.J. Rosenberg to Set-up, Jacob Diekman to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonB.J. RosenbergJacob DiekmanJonathan Papelbon9/9/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Kelley, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera threw two innings last night, while David Robertson and Boone Logan are dealing with lingering injuries. Shawn Kelley got the 8th on Sunday and pitched well, and could get the call tonight.
2. Luke Hochevar/Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has pitched in two straight, three of four, and six of eight. The overworked closer might get Monday off.
3. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in five of the last six.

Luke Hochevar: Crummy starter, ace reliever

September 8, 2013

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour threw 37 pitches in his Friday outing, so the A’s went to Sean Doolittle in the 9th on Saturday, and the lefty picked up his first save.  Doolittle continues to share the 8th inning role with Ryan Cook.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook9/8/13

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Philadelphia Phillies – Jacob Diekman finished the 8th inning ahead of Jonathan Papelbon on Saturday.  After a tough stretch in late July and early August, the lefty has only allowed one run in his last 11.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Jacob Diekman to Set-up, B.J. Rosenberg to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonJacob DiekmanB.J. RosenbergJonathan Papelbon9/4/13

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Kansas City Royals – Luke Hochevar got the call in the 7th inning yesterday, and stayed on to finish off the 8th.  In recent weeks, the converted starter has seized control of the 8th-inning job in Kansas City, as he’s been more consistent than Kelvin Herrera.  Also seeing late-game innings lately for the Royals is Will Smith, who picked up his 4th hold yesterday, but the lefty hasn’t cracked our hierarchy yet.  Hierarchy change: Luke Hochevar to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandLuke HochevarKelvin HerreraGreg Holland9/8/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman pitched in four straight games from Tuesday to Friday, and might need a second day off today to recover.
2. Jacob Diekman, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in back to back games and three of four, and blew a save yesterday afternoon.  He might get the day off today.

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.