Parnell likely done for season, Axford traded

August 31, 2013

New York Mets – Bobby Parnell is likely done for the season.  LaTroy Hawkins should continue to be the primary closer for the Mets, but Gonzalez Germen could see a couple save opportunities down the stretch as well.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsGonzalez GermenDavid AardsmaBobby Parnell8/30/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals acquired former closer John Axford from the Brewers on Friday.  Mujica and Rosenthal have been great all season so it is unlikely that Axford will see any save opportunities.  However with a couple good outings, Axford could certainly move into 2nd in line.  We will see how the Cardinals use him.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalKevin SiegristJason Motte8/31/13

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Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon picked up his first career save in a rain shortened game on Friday night as he got the last out of the 7th inning with the Tigers up 3.  He also threw his first warm up pitch over the head of the catcher and hit the backstop so it was a pretty exciting night for him.   No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose VerasDrew SmylyJose Veras8/31/13

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Atlanta Braves — Anthony Varvaro pitched the last two innings last night to record the save.  With Jordan Walden still nursing a leg injury and Avilan and Carpenter being used a lot recently, the Braves went with the more rested option.  Varvaro had not pitched in 5 days so he got the call last night but he still does not factor into the normal late inning plans for the Braves.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelLuis AvilanJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel8/31/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has thrown 46 pitches over the last two days.
2. Gonzalez Germen, New York Mets – The Mets could give Gonzalez Germen a save opp at any time, and today might be a better bet than most, as LaTroy Hawkins has pitched in two straight.

Kevin Siegrist is finally getting some big innings

August 12, 2013

St. Louis Cardinals – We’ve extolled the virtues of Kevin Siegrist in this space before, and finally, the young lefty is getting some love.  On Sunday, he pitched the 7th inning and earned his fifth hold of the season, three of which have come this week in similar circumstances.  The 24-year old lefty currently has a 0.84 ERA, a 0.60 WHIP, and is now getting the high-leverage innings he deserves.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Siegrist to 2nd in line, replacing Seth Maness.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalKevin SiegristJason Motte8/12/13

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New York Yankees – Most closers who blow three consecutive save chances would be destined for a trip to the Hot Seat.  But Mariano Rivera, who completed the third leg of that ignominious feat on Sunday, would probably have to double, or maybe even triple, his current streak of blown saves in order for the Yankees to consider derailing his farewell tour.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonBoone LoganDavid Robertson8/12/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Matt Belisle, Colorado Rockies – Rex Brothers has pitched in three straight.
2. David Aardsma, New York Mets – LaTroy Hawkins has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
3. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Less concerning than his string of blown saves (mentioned above) is the fact that Mariano Rivera has thrown a total of 81 pitches over the past five days.  He might get Monday off to recover.
4. Ryan Cook/Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has pitched in two straight, including a 37-pitch outing on Sunday.

Neal Cotts still mowing down hitters; Ryan Cook nabs a save

July 25, 2013

Texas Rangers – Neal Cotts picked up his second straight 8th-inning hold on Wednesday, and even helped the Rangers get through the 9th, retiring the first two hitters before Joe Nathan was summoned to get the final out.  Though Joakim Soria obviously has a huge edge when it comes to experience, the Rangers are still being cautious with the oft-injured righty, and he’s only thrown 4 innings since returning to the big leagues on July 7.  Cotts, meanwhile, now sports a 0.91 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP, and is striking out more than a batter per inning.  Hierarchy change: Neal Cotts to 2nd in line, replacing Joakim Soria.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TEXJoe NathanTanner ScheppersJoakim SoriaJoe Nathan7/25/13

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Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour got the day off on Wednesday, and Ryan Cook picked up the save in his absence.  Nothing to see here.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook7/25/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has pitched in three straight.
2. Tony Watson/Justin Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in back to back games and four of five.
3. John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers – If the Brewers are truly alternating save chances, then it’s Axford’s turn; Henderson got the save last night.
4. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in two straight, throwing 47 pitches.
5. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Kevin Gregg threw 40 pitches last night over two innings.

Axford and Henderson “co-closers” in Milwaukee as K-Rod heads to Baltimore

July 24, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers — As we feared, now that K-Rod is gone, Ron Roenicke told reporters before Tuesday’s game that Jim Henderson and John Axford will likely “flip-flop” future save opportunities. What can we say? The man loves him some drama. Note that Henderson pitched the ninth on Tuesday with the team down by four. Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Closer, John Axford to Set-up, Brandon Kintzler to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonJohn AxfordBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson7/24/13

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Baltimore Orioles — As we reported last night, the Orioles have traded for Francisco Rodriguez and are likely to put him to immediate use in the set-up role. Jim Johnson is now on notice. Hierarchy change: Francisco Rodriguez to Set-up, Tommy Hunter to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonFrancisco RodriguezTommy HunterJim Johnson7/24/13

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Pittsburgh Pirates — Jason Grilli officially hit the DL on Tuesday and Mark Melancon will indeed take his place in the ninth inning. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconJustin WilsonTony WatsonJason Grilli7/24/13
Jason Grilli (DL)

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Texas Rangers — Yankees fans are happy; this time, Joe Nathan set up Mariano Rivera. Blown save or no, Nathan certainly seemed to have a valid case against the home plate umpire. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TEXJoe NathanTanner ScheppersJoakim SoriaJoe Nathan7/24/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins — Ron Gardenhire should have read yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch; instead, he called on a tired Glen Perkins, only to see him blow the save with three walks and a hit. He can’t possibly use Perkins again on Wednesday, and Casey Fien (although slightly better-rested) has also pitched on four of the last five days.
2. Oliver Perez, Seattle Mariners — With Tom Wilhelmsen having pitched four of the last five days, perhaps the Mariners will take one final opportunity to showcase their coveted lefty.
3. John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers — Axford is serving as a sort of “co-closer” with Jim Henderson, and Henderson pitched on Tuesday.
4. Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers — Joe Nathan has appeared in two straight games, throwing a total of 43 pitches; he also threw an awkward wild pitch when his spikes appeared to catch on the Texas mound.
5. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour also blew a save on Tuesday and has pitched two days in a row.
6. Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen had a rough outing on Tuesday night, throwing 28 pitches.
7. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri suffered a full-on meltdown, giving up 5 runs on 27 pitches in a tied tenth.

Trade Deadline Buy/Sell Report: American League Closers

July 17, 2013

SPECIAL UPDATE: TRADE DEADLINE BUY/SELL REPORT (PART ONE OF TWO)

Glossary
BUY+: This player has a large chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
BUY: This player has a small chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.
SELL: This player has a small chance of losing his closer job by the trade deadline.
SELL+: This player has a large chance of losing his closer job by the trade deadline.

TL;DR Version
BUY+: Jose Cisnero
BUY: Matt Lindstrom; Glen Perkins; Jared Burton; Ryan Cook; Yoervis Medina
SELL: Koji Uehara; Addison Reed; Grant Balfour
SELL+: Joaquin Benoit; Jose Veras; Oliver Perez

Baltimore Orioles — In the thick of an extremely competitive AL East race, the O’s are likely to stay with their current approach in the bullpen: Darren O’Day and Tommy Hunter pitching effectively in front of an inconsistent Jim Johnson. BUY/SELL: None.
Boston Red Sox — Boston might not be satisfied with adding Matt Thornton; there’s still a chance that they acquire Bobby Parnell, Jonathan Papelbon, Addison Reed, or Francisco Rodriguez, any of whom would significantly erode Koji Uehara’s fantasy value. SELL: Koji Uehara.
New York Yankees — With all the injuries stalking the Bronx this season (including a 97 MPH All-Star Game fastball to Robinson Cano’s quadriceps), the late innings are the least of Joe Girardi’s concerns. Although New York could always add a setup arm, there’s not a pitcher in the world who could derail Mariano Rivera’s farewell tour. BUY/SELL: None.
Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney isn’t the most reliable closer in the league, but the Rays are still likely to stand pat at this year’s trade deadline. BUY/SELL: None.
Toronto Blue Jays — The Jays’ bullpen has been the team’s biggest strength this disappointing season, and although they might move a pitcher if they get the right offer, any trade is unlikely to affect the save picture. BUY/SELL: None. 

Chicago White Sox — With the White Sox languishing in the AL Central basement, Addison Reed could be traded if another team makes a great offer. If Reed does move, he’ll either take on a setup role (drastically decreasing his value) or close for a better team (mildly increasing it). On balance, we think the rest of this season will see a slight regression in Reed’s worth to you. Meanwhile, if Reed is traded, Matt Lindstrom will probably be the White Sox pitcher who benefits most. Jesse Crain could be in the mix also, once he returns from his injury, but (as noted in the link above) he’s even more likely to be flipped this month. BUY: Matt Lindstrom. SELL: Addison Reed.
Cleveland Indians — The Indians need to add a lefty arm and perhaps replace Vinnie Pestano, but Chris Perez and Cody Allen are pretty secure. BUY/SELL: None.
Detroit Tigers — Detroit is likely to trade for one or two relief pitchers; although it’s not yet clear whether they will replace Joaquin Benoit with a “proven closer” or simply reload with middle relief reinforcements, we think Benoit’s days as the closer in Comerica are numbered. SELL+: Joaquin Benoit.
Kansas City Royals — Although there’s a strong case that Kansas City should flip Greg Holland now, at the height of his value, the three years of team control remaining suggest that he’ll remain a Royal for a while. BUY/SELL: None.
Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins is too good a closer to stay on this bad Minnesota team; if he’s traded, he’ll almost certainly be closing for a contender, while Ron Gardenhire goes to Jared (Burton) and dreams of someday getting a ring. BUY: Glen Perkins, Jared Burton.

Houston Astros — With Houston as bad as expected, Jose Veras is extremely likely to be traded this July — but he’ll probably move into a setup role wherever he ends up. Jose Cisnero is expected to succeed Veras, if necessary. BUY+: Jose Cisnero. SELL+: Jose Veras.
Los Angeles Angels — It’s been a disappointing year for the Angels and it’s unlikely that any exciting bullpen trade news will spark a second-half renaissance. BUY/SELL: None.
Oakland A’s — Oakland might add another arm in middle relief; they were chasing Matt Thornton before the Red Sox sealed that deal. With Grant Balfour facing free agency, though, don’t put it past Billy Beane to deal his All-Star closer, even with the A’s atop their division. BUY: Ryan Cook. SELL: Grant Balfour.
Seattle Mariners — Oliver Perez and Charlie Furbush are both attractive trade bait; Perez’s save chances are likely to drop off dramatically if (and when) he’s moved. Yoervis Medina could benefit as a result. BUY: Yoervis Medina. SELL+: Oliver Perez.
Texas Rangers — The Rangers are very happy with their deep bullpen; any trade they make will focus on their offense or starting rotation. BUY/SELL: None.