Closers for Rangers, Diamondbacks, Cardinals, and Angels still unsettled

March 22, 2018

Texas Rangers — One week from Opening Day, the Rangers’ closer situation still hasn’t really cleared up. With Jeff Banister eager to deploy Alex Claudio and Matt Bush (who lost his chance at the rotation after three poor starts) in high-leverage situations before the ninth, it sounds more and more like Texas won’t commit to a single closer — at least until (and unless) Tim Lincecum is ready to go. Keone Kela passed a big test with successful back-to-back outings this week, and he says he’s ready for the season to start. We’ll throw an asterisk on here (for now) to account for Banister’s lack of commitment, with Kela still our choice over Jake Diekman and the rest.

Updated hierarchy: *Kela | Diekman | Claudio.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks — The closer competition in Arizona seems to be down to two men: Archie Bradley and Brad Boxberger. While at least one beat writer is leaning toward Box, Torey Lovullo has had kind words for all his relievers, and no one seems particularly concerned about his role going forward. We’ll flip Boxberger and Bradley at the head of the committee to reflect our current feeling about which way the race is going to go, but watch for an official announcement before too long.

Updated hierarchy: *Boxberger | Bradley | Hirano.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — Nothing official out of St. Louis, but there’s still a feeling among writers that Luke Gregerson, back from his injured oblique, will get the first shot at closing ahead of Dominic Leone, Bud Norris, Tyler Lyons, and Sam Tuivailala. Between injuries and competition, even if Gregerson gets the nod, we don’t expect him to keep the job for long.

Hierarchy remains: *Gregerson | Leone | Norris.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels — We’re still roughly in the same place with LA too: Blake Parker continues to have a rough spring, leading to (unsourced) speculation about Cam Bedrosian taking the closer job. The only difference is that now Bedrosian is giving up runs too — three in his last two outings. No changes yet.

Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Bedrosian | Middleton. 
* = closer-by-committee

 

Dominic Leone emerging as closer candidate in St. Louis

March 14, 2018

St. Louis Cardinals – With Luke Gregerson still ailing and Bud Norris sporting a 9.95 ERA this spring, the Cardinals appear to be moving towards Dominic Leone as a closer candidate. They’re giving him a nice long look in the role during the exhibitions — Leone picked up his third save on Sunday — and general manager John Mozeliak mentioned him as a closer candidate in a recent radio interview. If Gregerson can get healthy by the start of the season, we still think the job is his, but Leone could end up being a great pickup late in your drafts.

Updated hierarchy: *Gregerson | Leone | Norris.
* = closer-by-committee

Nate Jones pushes his way into White Sox closer competition

March 12, 2018

Chicago White Sox – The closer gig on the South Side — seemingly in the hands of Joakim Soria at the outset of camp — has turned into a full out competition thanks his bumbling spring (2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 K) and the re-emergence of Nate Jones, who has put together a sterling line in the exhibitions thus far (4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 5 K, 0 BB). The Chicago Tribune speculates that Jones has actually done enough to take the lead, while other sources are less committal, but we consider this a full tossup, with the remaining spring outings to be the likely determinant to who lands this job.

Updated hierarchy: *Soria | Jones | Minaya.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks – There has been no resolution as of yet in the closer competition in Arizona. Both Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano have been knocked around a little bit this spring, while Brad Boxberger has been clean, but has only thrown 2 innings thus far due to lingering arm soreness. Bradley said recently that he didn’t necessarily want the job, and that he enjoyed his multi-inning role last season — and for what it’s worth, that’s how he’s been deployed so far this spring. We still consider him the slight favorite, though, with Boxberger close behind and Hirano in third.

Hierarchy remains: *Bradley | Boxberger | Hirano.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels – Blake Parker got off to a rocky start this spring, but has settled down over his last few outings and, we believe, is still in the lead here. Cam Bedrosian has looked sharp this spring (3 IP, 0 ER, 4 K), but if Mike Scioscia sticks to his script from last year, then Bedrosian will be his pre-9th-inning relief ace, while Parker will get the saves.

Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Bedrosian | Middleton. 
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – It’s been nine days since Luke Gregerson last appeared in his first and only spring training game thus far, as an oblique injury has kept him sidelined since then. Gregerson began as the presumptive favorite for the St. Louis closer gig, but his absence means that the door is now open for offseason acquisition Bud Norris. And while Norris hadn’t done much to stake his claim, getting shelled in his first two spring appearances, he did post a clean inning on Saturday. We’ll continue to monitor Gregerson’s injury.

Hierarchy remains: *Gregerson | Norris | Lyons.
* = closer-by-committee

Amidst trade deadline chaos, Blake Treinen quietly taking over in Oakland

August 1, 2017

[EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re running our Donation Drive this week. As always, we are extremely grateful for your support!]

Oakland A’s – Blake Treinen picked up his first Oakland save last night, putting him firmly at the front of the team’s closer-by-committee. He’s allowed only one earned run and seven total baserunners (4 H, 3 BB) in 9.1 IP since joining the team, and is clearly the best reliever in the bullpen right now. If he converts his next opportunity, that might be enough for us to shed him of his asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: *Treinen | Casilla | Dull.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers – We thought Alex Claudio had seized control of the closer role in Texas, but last night he was summoned in a tie game in the 7th inning, which isn’t exactly the place you’d use your full-time closer. Claudio ended up pitching 2.2 innings and taking the loss after a balk-filled 9th. We’re slapping the committee tag back on here and will watch to see how Texas proceeds the next few days.

Updated hierarchy: *Claudio | Kela | Leclerc.

Cleveland Indians – Joe Smith is returning to the place where he enjoyed five years of success, as Cleveland reacquired him late Monday afternoon. Smith joins Bryan Shaw behind Cody Allen and Andrew Miller, giving the Indians an enviable group of late game relievers for their stretch run.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Miller | Shaw.

Toronto Blue Jays – With Joe Smith gone, Roberto Osuna’s new handcuff is Ryan Tepera. Look for Joe Biagini to get a few more chances in the late innings as well.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Tepera | Biagini.

Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers picked up Tony Watson and Tony Cingrani at the deadline, giving them plenty of flexibility in the late innings. Watson is the more likely of the two to get late inning work, though we won’t bump Pedro Baez or Brandon Morrow out of their hierarchy positions yet.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Baez | Morrow.

Cincinnati Reds – With Tony Cingrani gone, Drew Storen returns to the Cincinnati hierarchy. Storen hasn’t been great lately (4.82 ERA in July), but the Reds aren’t exactly swimming in late-inning options right now.

Updated hierarchy: Iglesias | Lorenzen | Storen.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Despite moving on from Tony Watson, the Pirates weren’t selling by any stretch, as they also moved to acquire Joaquin Benoit from the Phillies. Benoit will take over Watson’s 7th inning role.

Updated hierarchy: Rivero | Nicasio | Benoit.

Philadelphia Phillies – With Joaquin Benoit gone, the Phillies don’t really have any major league caliber relievers left other than Hector Neris and Luis Garcia, so we’ll take our best guess and give Jesen Therrien the 7th inning job for now. The righty has only been in the bigs for a few days, but he had 9 saves in the minors.

Updated hierarchy: Neris | Garcia | Therrien. 

Arizona Diamondbacks – Longtime fan favorite David Hernandez returned to the Diamondbacks on Monday, where he will likely serve as a late-inning option along with Archie Bradley. Hernandez has enjoyed a fine year with the Angels to this point, sporting a 2.23 ERA over 38 appearances.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Bradley | Hernandez.

Los Angeles Angels – David Hernandez is now a Diamondback, meaning in the rare instances that the rebuilding Angels have a lead, they’ll probably look to Blake Parker more often.

Updated hierarchy: Norris | Bedrosian | Parker.

Milwaukee Brewers – In one of the more minor moves of the day, the Brewers reacquired Jeremy Jeffress prior to the trade deadline. Jeffress doesn’t figure to supplant Jacob Barnes as the primary set-up man, but he’ll join Anthony Swarzak in bridging the gap in the 6th and 7th innings.

Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Barnes | Swarzak.

Houston Astros – For a time, the Astros seemed like the leaders in the Zach Britton sweepstakes, but they ended up standing pat. They did, however, have to put Will Harris back on the DL before he’d even made an appearance in the big leagues, meaning we welcome Luke Gregerson back to the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Devenski | Gregerson.

Colorado Rockies – The Rockies already made their bullpen-bolstering move, adding Pat Neshek a few days ago, and as it turned out, the move couldn’t have come at a better time, as Jake McGee felt his back tighten up over the weekend and will need a short DL stint. Lefty Mike Dunn has settled in as of late (only 1 ER in 10 July appearances) and might get some matchup-based looks in the 7th and 8th in McGee’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Neshek | Dunn.

Minnesota Twins – The Twins shipped Brandon Kintzler off, leaving the cupboard pretty bare when it comes to 9th inning options. The team hasn’t said much, and beat writers don’t have a good guess, so we’ll make split our bets on veteran Matt Belisle and 26-year-old righty Trevor Hildenberger. Belisle has been pitching the best as of late, with 13 straight scoreless outings, but durability is an issue, while Hildenberger had a strong outing Sunday and averages more than a strikeout per inning. Taylor Rogers seemed the best option as recently as a week ago, but he’s been hit around as of late (his last five appearances: 3 IP, 9 ER) and is probably in third place at the moment; however, if the Twins do employ a full committee, he could get the 9th when a lefty-heavy part of the lineup is due.

Updated hierarchy: *Belisle | Hildenberger | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals – Brandon Kintzler adds to a cadre of veterans the Nationals have assembled over the last few weeks. Sean Doolittle has done a great job so far — nabbing another save last night before Kintzler got to town — but GM Mike Rizzo wouldn’t name a full-time closer after the trade. We think Doolittle keeps the job and Kintzler is first in line for chances if the lefty falters, but will leave the committee tag on until things are certain.

Updated hierarchy: *Doolittle | Kintzler | Madson.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – Addison Reed  is headed to the Red Sox in exchange for three minor leaguers. AJ Ramos takes over as closer for the Mets, while Jerry Blevins and Paul Sewald continue to be the team’s main source of holds.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Blevins | Sewald.

Boston Red Sox – Addison Reed fills a big need for the Red Sox, who have struggled to bridge the gap to Craig Kimbrel on several occasions this year (including their last game). Reed still retains a good deal of value in Holds leagues, as he’s likely to rack up 8th inning chances in Boston.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Reed | Barnes.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brad Brach – Zach Britton, who is still an Oriole, has gone three straight.
2. Brandon Kintzler – Sean Doolittle has gone in back to back games and has yet to pitch in three straight all season.
3. Jesen Therrien – Hector Neris and Luis Garcia have gone three straight. Buy us a coke if we actually get this one right.

Tomorrow
1. Brandon Kintzler – See above. If Doolittle does go today, he’ll be off tomorrow.
2. Santiago Casilla – If Blake Treinen gets a save today, we’ll probably give him the full time job, but it’ll be three straight appearances.

White Sox, Yankees shuffle bullpens in monster trade

July 19, 2017

Chicago White Sox — Both David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle were traded to the Yankees late Tuesday night, with Tyler Clippard part of the package that came back to the White Sox. Clippard has struggled lately, but he has experience as a closer and is likely to take over the ninth inning for Chicago. Anthony Swarzak will be next in line for save chances if he also doesn’t eventually get traded.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Swarzak | Jennings.

New York Yankees — The Yankees bolstered their bullpen by trading for both David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle. Robertson instantly becomes one of the top setup men in baseball, and should be first choice to close if Aroldis Chapman is unavailable. Kahnle and Dellin Betances will get the ball ahead of Robertson and Chapman – we’ll keep an eye on how Joe Girardi deploys those two arms.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Robertson | Betances.

Washington Nationals – Prior to Tuesday’s game, Dusty Baker made clear that he won’t have a traditional closer/setup situation. He wasted no time practicing what he preached, using Ryan Madson in the eighth inning before Sean Doolittle got the ninth and the save. Matchups probably played a part in this decision, as two lefties were due up in the ninth. However, Baker also said that Madson felt more comfortable in the eighth. It truly could be either Doolittle or Madson in the ninth if the Nats have a lead, which means frustration for fantasy owners.

Hierarchy remains: *Madson | Doolittle | Albers.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s – Blake Treinen impressed on Tuesday, pitching a clean eighth inning in a one-run game before Santiago Casilla blew the save in the ninth. It’s early in his tenure with Oakland, but Treinen appears to have quickly earned Bob Melvin’s trust.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Treinen | Hendriks.

Houston Astros – The Vulture Save Watch picked a winner in Luke Gregerson on Tuesday, but it was not a conventional save. Gregerson entered the eighth inning with the tying run on deck in a 6-2 game, picked up the final out of the frame, and then stayed on to complete the ninth for his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Devenski | Gregerson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Andrew Miller/Bryan Shaw – Cody Allen has pitched in three straight games. Miller needed 28 pitches yesterday, so Bryan Shaw may be an option depending on the game situation.
2. Pat Neshek/Joaquin Benoit – Hector Neris has pitched in three straight. Neshek has gone in three of four, so Benoit may get the call.
3. Ryan Tepera  – Roberto Osuna has pitched in three straight games.

Thursday
1. Matt Barnes/Heath Hembree – If Craig Kimbrel pitches tonight, it will be back-to-back and four of five. Matt Barnes will also need a day off if he pitches on Wednesday.
2. David Robertson – The Yankees acquired Robertson to win, so no sense in holding him back if Aroldis Chapman needs a day off. That may be on Thursday – Chapman will have gone in back-to-back games and four of five if he gets the ball on Wednesday.
3. Juan Nicasio – If Felipe Rivero pitches on Wednesday it will be three straight.