Joakim Soria going through odd stretch; Giants turn to committee

June 30, 2014

Chicago White Sox – We’re paying close attention to the White Sox, who on Sunday used Jake Petricka to protect a 4-run 9th inning lead. Robin Ventura keeps saying that he isn’t ready to name a new closer yet, but based on the last several days, Zach Putnam and Petricka continue to look like the two main options.

Hierarchy remains: Putnam | Petricka | Guerra.

Texas Rangers – Something odd is afoot with Joakim Soria. He didn’t pitch for 10 days from June 14 to June 24, and then, when Ron Washington finally decided to get him some work, Soria entered in the 9th inning of a blowout, threw 8 pitches, got 2 outs, and then was yanked for Scott Baker, who faced the final batter. Three days later, Soria had his worst outing of the year, blowing the save against the Twins. And then, two days after that — yesterday — he took the loss after allowing the tie breaking run in the 9th. He’s earned way too much trust to be placed on the Hot Seat just yet, but it’s certainly been a strange week for Soria, who has a troubled injury history. We’ll keep an eye on him in the coming days.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Frasor | Cotts.

Houston Astros – Chad Qualls has been nursing a minor groin injury, so rather than use him on three straight days, Bo Porter called for Tony Sipp in the 9th inning on Sunday. Qualls was warming up just in case and should be fine for the next save chance.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Veras.

Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle and Luke Gregerson had both pitched in two straight and three of four, so the A’s used Ryan Cook to get the last four outs of the game on Sunday. Cook, Dan Otero, and Fernando Abad will continue to jockey for 7th inning chances.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Gregerson | Cook.

San Francisco Giants — Bruce Bochy announced on Sunday that the struggling Sergio Romo would move into a setup role, and that closing duties would be handled by the newest rage: a committee, prominently featuring Santiago Casilla and lefthander Jeremy Affeldt. Romo himself could see work as part of the committee, depending on — say it with us now — matchups.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Affeldt | Romo.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox – Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka appear to be sharing save chances in Chicago.

What the hell is going on in Houston?

May 30, 2014

Oakland A’s – With $10 million invested, the A’s really want Jim Johnson to succeed — or at least be a usable reliever. But after giving up 2 runs in the 7th inning of a close game on Thursday afternoon, Johnson’s ERA sits at 6.55. The A’s season is exactly 1/3 over, so we’ve reached the point where a small sample size is no longer an excuse, and with the rest of the bullpen essentially dominating, Johnson is unlikely to sniff a save opportunity again for a long time.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Gregerson | Abad.

Houston Astros – One million points to the person who picked up Josh Fields right after he was called up from AAA on May 14. When the one-time closer was sent down, his ERA was an even 12.00. Since returning? 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 13 K. Fields got the win last night, pitching two clean innings before giving way to closer Chad Qualls, who now has an 11.1-inning scoreless streak of his own. Tony Sipp, meanwhile, who was signed off the scrap heap, still has a 0.00 ERA through 9.2 absolutely dominant innings (1 H, 1 BB, 13 Ks). That adds up to a 29 scoreless innings for the top three Astros relievers. What the hell is going on here?

Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Sipp | Fields.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Frasor, Texas Rangers – Joakim Soria has pitched in three straight.
2. Joba Chamberlain, Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan has pitched in three straight.

Porter declares Qualls the Astros’ closer, Motte close to returning

May 17, 2014

Houston Astros — It sounds like manager Bo Porter is tired of having a different guy blow each of the Astros’ save opportunities so he has finally chosen one guy.  Porter said yesterday that Chad Qualls will be their closer moving forward.  Qualls has not allowed an earned run in his last 9 outings.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Zeid.

Tampa Bay Rays – Grant Balfour picked up his 8th save by pitching a perfect 9th inning last night, just one night after being removed from a save opportunity without recording an out.  Manager Joe Maddon said that Balfour is still his closer.  Balfour may have given himself a little more leeway with his outing yesterday, but we still think Maddon will have to think about changing things up if Balfour has another outing like Thursday.

Hierarchy remains: Balfour | Peralta | McGee.

St. Louis Cardinals – Jason Motte is close to returning to the Cardinals bullpen.   He has pitched well so far on his rehab assignments, throwing 6.2 scoreless innings.  Trevor Rosenthal picked up the save last night and is 12 for 13 in save opportunities so far this season.  However, his ERA is 4.5 and he has allowed 12 walks in 20 innings so he has not been dominant.  Motte will likely be eased back into high leverage situations but could be a guy to keep an eye on in deeper leagues.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Martinez | Siegrist.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has pitched in 2 straight and 3 of the past 4, including 1.2 innings on Thursday.
2. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles are using a committee and, while we think Britton is the better option, O’Day could be used as well.
3. Jeurys Familia/Jose Valverde, New York Mets – The Mets could use pretty much anybody in their bullpen at this point.
4. Brad Boxberger/Juan Carlos Oviedo, Tampa Bay Rays – Balfour, Peralta, and Mcgee have all pitched three days in a row.
5. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen could get the call in the 9th on any given night, if the Indians don’t have to use him earlier in the game in a high leverage situation.

Jeurys Familia ascending; Frieri and Smith swap save opps

May 15, 2014

New York Mets — As we reported late Wednesday night, Kyle Farnsworth was released by the Mets in a bizarre, cost-cutting move, two days after he picked up a save against the Yankees. Collins promised a closer committee, and we think Jeurys Familia is the best-positioned of that bunch, followed by Jose Valverde. We’ll leave Jenrry Mejia ahead of Daisuke Matsuzaka for now, as his potential is much higher.

Hierarchy change: Familia | Valverde | Mejia.

Los Angeles Angels — This time it was Ernesto Frieri’s turn to set up Joe Smith for the save, and Mike Scioscia explained after the game that LA’s three-run lead freed him to use Frieri against the top of Philadelphia’s order. He clearly trusts Smith more, but he also wants Frieri to win the closer job permanently — and for that reason, Ernie keeps our top spot.

Hierarchy remains: Frieri | Smith | Kohn.

Houston Astros — Last September, we called the Houston bullpen a “hellscape.” It’s somehow worse now. Jesse Crain won’t be added to any roster for another two weeks. Matt Albers is out until mid-June. And now Anthony Bass is on the DL with a strained oblique. To make matters worse, Josh Fields — who has somehow allowed 14 runs in his last 3 IP — is replacing him on the roster. This hierarchy looks a lot like Cerberus.

Hierarchy change: Qualls | Sipp | Zeid.

Oakland A’s — Although the A’s blew a one-run lead in the eighth, Bob Melvin helpfully announced after the game that Sean Doolittle would have pitched the ninth in a save situation. The committee lives.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson | Doolittle | Gregerson.

Pittsburgh Pirates — After throwing 24 pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday afternoon, Jason Grilli pronounced himself “ready” to return to the Pirates. But given the description of his new book — by a Pirates blog, no less — as “a tour de force of delusional narcissism,” you may wish to take this news with a grain of salt.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Watson | Wilson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — See above.
2. Brandon Kintzler, Milwaukee Brewers — The Brewers went to K-Rod one too many times, and Kintzler is much better rested than the Fresh Prince.
3. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds — The Reds have a doubleheader on Thursday and may not wish to use Aroldis Chapman in both games.

Frieri reinstated as closer, Cecil picks up save for Jays

May 6, 2014

Los Angeles Angels – As predicted in our Vulture Save Watch, Mike Scioscia gave the ball to Ernesto Frieri in the ninth inning and the right-hander delivered, preserving a three-run lead for his first save since April 21. Scioscia intended to move Frieri back to the ninth all along, and Frieri has earned his job back thanks to now 4.2 innings without giving up a hit since a blown save on April 23.

Hierarchy change: Frieri | Smith | Kohn.

Houston Astros – Raul Valdes was designated for assignment, with LHP Darin Downs called up to replace him. The Astros also signed Tony Sipp, who will be their best left-handed option behind Qualls and Bass in the bullpen.

Hierarchy change: Qualls | Bass | Sipp.

Toronto Blue Jays – Brett Cecil got the first crack at the closer’s role in manager John Gibbons’ committee, and he came through with a strong ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season. Both Aaron Loup and Steve Delabar pitched in front of Cecil, but it was Delabar who got the eighth ahead of Loup. All three have a chance at a save opportunity at this point, but it appears as if Delabar has the inside track to the ninth inning if Cecil isn’t given the nod.

Hierarchy change: Cecil | Delabar | Loup.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Steve Delabar/Aaron Loup, Toronto Blue Jays – Brett Cecil has pitched in back-to-back games, meaning Delabar or Loup could get a chance in the Jays’ committee. As stated above, we think Delabar is the more likely selection.
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland blew the save last night and has appeared in two straight games.
3. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians – John Axford has thrown in three straight games, taking the loss last night after entering a tie game in the 10th inning.