We all exploit it, and with good reason. The elusive RP/SP eligibility is a sassy beast. She entices you with peripherals and gaudy cheeses, and let’s you fill up starter spots with relievers and vice versa. I mean, if cheese and dual-eligibility don’t draw you in, I don’t know what else to say. As we are basically 45 games into the season for most teams, it is time to reassess the eligibility of some players. Lots of eligibility has been added to a lot of pitchers, and that is a benefit to your fantasy roster. Guys like J.C. Ramirez, Matt Andriese, and Jose Urena all have SP next to their names and on the reflexive, the names of Brad Peacock, Archie Bradley, and Jorge de La Rosa have been on some rosters at some points in the year. So do yourself a favor and scour the waivers in your leagues and recheck the eligibility of some of the players that have some use in some leagues. It is a coveted thing in the preseason, so why not now? Get comfy, it is the closer report for this week! Lot’s of tibits or bittids for you folks battling dyslexia.
- The Friars finally did the Hand-off at closer… maybe. Maurer did pitch in a spot of need, but was then piggy-backed by Brad Hand, Hand should be owned everywhere already, but should be doubly owned now. If your league allows double ownership, let me join up. Me thinks it is a showcase for trade scenario.
- One hit. That is what Craig Kimbrel has allowed over the last month. Guess who also does…? Fernando Rodney. Crazy enough, he has 8 clean appearances and 0 ER allowed.
- I ranked Raisel Iglesias low last closer report to the chagrin of a few, but have some ammo there. In last 30 innings, 5 saves. Yes, he has a zero ERA and 9+ K/9, but there are 11 relievers with more saves and a higher K/9 during those last 30 days. He is not a volume closer, I have moved him up a tad, but he doesn’t pitch on back to back days and Cincy is near the bottom in save opportunities.
- Bud Norris is staying as closer, sorry baby Bedrock owners. He is the fourth ranked RP eligible pitcher in the RCL universe.
- Take a breath for a moment Edwin Diaz owners, he is back in the saddle… almost. Command still looks wonky, but control isn’t a stat, we need them saves!
- Congrats on Dusty Baker on finally making a decision.
- The chase for saves after Britton went on DL again has been futile. One save for the entire bullpen in last 15, and more blown saves then actual saves over the last 25 games. O’day and Brach are both ownable options, I would just sell higher while they have an appealing name… sorta.
- Go check and make sure Kyle Barraclough isn’t owned everywhere. Ramos looks blah and the Marlins, albeit limited in opportunities, don’t look comfy with him at the helm.
$12 Salads
You know that restaurant your girlfriend/wife/what-have-you likes to go to that charges, like, $12 for a salad? Every time you go there, you have a thoroughly solid meal. No complaints, except you just paid $12 for a salad when you could’ve went to McDonald’s and stuffed you and your woman for ten schmools and had $2 in quarters left over to make the hotel bed vibrate. These closers are $12 salads.
1. Kenley Jansen – (Josh Fields, Pedro Baez)
2. Craig Kimbrel – (Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly)
3. Greg Holland – (Adam Ottavino, Mike Dunn)
4. Dellin Betances – (Tyler Clippard, Adam Warren)
Donkeycorns
Imagine you’re following a donkey, who’s wearing a wool cap, through a desert for 1700 miles. Why are you following a donkey? Because he promises you something wonderful and you just need to trust him. Does the donkey talk? Yes. Yes, he does talk. So when you and the donkey in the wool cap arrive at his destination, he removes the wool cap to reveal a horn. The donkey is a unicorn and his gift to you for your trust is saves. These closers are Donkeycorns.
5. Ken Giles – (Luke Gregerson, Chris Devenski)
6. Cody Allen – (Andrew Miller, Bryan Shaw)
7. Wade Davis – (Hector Rondon, C.J. Edwards)
8. Seung-Hwan Oh – (Trevor Rosenthal, Kevin Siegrist)
9. David Robertson – (Tommy Kahnle, Anthony Swarzak)
10. Mark Melancon – (Derek Law, Hunter Strickland)
11. Alex Colome – (Danny Farquhar, Jose Alvarado)
12. Matt Bush – (Keone Kela, Tony Barnette)
13. Kelvin Herrera – (Joakim Soria, Mike Minor)
14. Roberto Osuna – (Jason Grilli, Joe Smith)
15. Koda Glover – (Shawn Kelley, Matt Albers)
16. Bud Norris – (Blake Parker, David Hernandez)
17. Corey Knebel – (Jacob Barnes, Neftali Feliz)
18. Brandon Kintzler – (Taylor Rogers, Matt Belisle)
19. Tony Watson – (Felipe Rivero, Juan Nicasio)
Employed
These guys are the men that make the save market go round. They punch in, punch out. Have the job, no real threat to speak of, and are basically just there to collect great benny’s so they can take care of their crippled brother. Who is only really crippled because he is scared of the sun.
20. Jim Johnson – (Arodys Vizcaino, Jose Ramirez)
21. Brad Brach – (Darren O’Day, Mychal Givens)
22. A.J. Ramos– (Brad Ziegler, Kyle Barraclough)
23. Raisel Iglesias – (Drew Storen , Michael Lorenzen)
24. Justin Wilson – (Alex Wilson, Shane Greene)
25. Addison Reed – (Fernando Salas, Jerry Blevins)
Brain Freezes
I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples, bananas and Carlos Marmol– Wait, he just gave up 12 earned runs and hit Castro in the head with a pick-off throw. Brain freeze! Make it stop! Use the following closers at your own risk.
26. Edwin Diaz – (Nick Vincent, James Pazos)
27. Fernando Rodney – (J.J. Hoover, Archie Bradley)
28. Hector Neris – (Joaquin Benoit, Edubray Ramos)
29. Santiago Casilla – (Ryan Madson, Ryan Dull, John Axford)
30. Brad Hand / Brandon Maurer
