This is the best time of the year, next to when Shark Week is on TV. All the movement in real baseball sends a ripple throughout the fantasy universe and in most position player cases, the player is owned to the moon or already a contributor. Not so much in the realm of baseball’s forgotten warriors: the setup men. As teams scramble for bullpen help, it creates an everlasting (not really forever) waterfall effect that resonates to the new and old team. Take for example the Yankees/White Sox trade it has created job questions for five separate relievers: Betances, Robertson, Kahnle, Clippard and Swarzak. Now with all the hype surrounding trade rumors, it is best to identify the team who gets the bullpen help first, than the trading team second. Because the trading team usually is where the goodies are at. Anthony Swarzak looks to be the biggest beneficiary in the setup options, and yes, Clippard will be closing, but Swarzak will be there when Clippard gets dealt again whether it’s before or after the non-waiver trade deadline. So to summarize here, be speculative but not crazy. Pay attention to the reliever deals in place and realize that some pitchers get moved down a few pegs, but on the reflexive, some move up. Have at some juicy reliever tidbits, Cheers!.
- David Phelps jumps the line in Seattle as they acquired him to strengthen the endgame in front of Diaz. Nick Vincent and every one elses mother may take two steps backwards. Vincent is still ownable here, as he has pitched brilliantly with 5 Holds and a K-rate in the 12’s for the past 7 appearances.
- See the reflexive here for the Marlins. Bear Claw is manning the main seat now with a sneaky guy maybe Jarlin Garcia taking the 7th. I can’t write B-Rad Zieglers name anymore.
- With all the swirling news in Baltimore, the only piece that I fail to see in any trade idea is Mychal Givens, as a spec add with his numbers he could be the last man standing.
- The Cardinals bullpen is playing the game of hot potato with a side of blown save. Cecil, Rosenthal, and Oh are making a hash out of it lately. Rosenthal to me is still the shiniest object to own in that bullpen 18 plus K-rate to me trumps the insecurity of saves.
- Interesting name I am watching in the trade market for Holds, because no way does retread Tony Watson close. Last 30 days, 6 holds, .75 ERA. K’s are never his forte, but on a contender with more save/hold opps, he could be a heady acquisition.
- The Astros need some flair with Will Harris on the DL. Two holds as a team in last 14 days and their best reliever as of late is mop-up guy Frances Martes, not to be confused with recently promoted A’s reliever Frankie Montas. Easy to remember really one is Spanish for Tuesday and the other is if you need a ride, just avoid getting a ride on Tuesday.
- Sneak Reliever of the week: Tommy Hunter, 2 holds in last week and no more Lord Farquhar in the way. The Rays are going to trade for bullpen help and have been bandied about with some bigger names so use him now instead of later.
| Player | Holds/BS | App with Lead | IR Runners/IR Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Rogers | 22/1 | 28 | 21/2 |
| Adam Ottavino | 20/2 | 28 | 16/6 |
| Andrew Miller | 19/0 | 27 | 20/418/1 |
| Jacob Barnes | 18/1 | 30 | 9/3 |
| Matthew Bowman | 18/1 | 22 | 27/4 |
| David Phelps | 18/6 | 32 | 7/3 |
| Mychal Givens | 17/3 | 25 | 26/7 |
| Juan Nicasio | 17/3 | 29 | 20/5 |
| Jose Ramirez | 17/4 | 23 | 12/3 |
| Matt Barnes | 16/1 | 25 | 9/2 |
| Daniel Hudson | 16/1 | 22 | 17/5 |
| Arodys Vizcaino | 16/2 | 21 | 3/1 |
| Ryan Buchter | 15/2 | 24 | 12/5 |
| Brad Hand | 15/3 | 25 | 23/6 |
| Ryan Madson | 15/3 | 25 | 13/2 |
| Nick Vincent | 15/0 | 24 | 14/3 |
| Matt Belisle | 14/3 | 20 | 18/4 |
| Chris Devenski | 14/3 | 28 | 22/4 |
| Jake Mcgee | 14/3 | 27 | 21/7 |
| Pedro Baez | 13/1 | 24 | 14/1 |
| Kyle Barraclough | 13/3 | 26 | 6/3 |
in a Sv+Hld league, u like Doolittle, Watson, or Rogers?
@Matt: rogers for consistency, Watson for hot button name if traded, Doolittle if the Nats don’ make another move. So its not as easy as yea him. Id want Rogers for right now.
@Smokey: I have rogers, guess i wont dropp him for the others, thanks smokey.
I am rostering Kela, Clippard, Rosenthal, Betances, AND Vizcaino. This is a 10 team mixed league. I feel like such an idiot.
@Don: i have seen worse. In a ten teamer plenty of shiftinf to do if you need/want
Do you see Tazawa being an interesting one to watch over the next couple of weeks?
@BSA70: could be once the marlins piece off their goods. Has pitched quietly well
Hey in a yahoo league we have innings limits so im looking for a reliever with SP eligibility that will bring good k k/9 era and whip.
Phelps maybe best guy? Martes? Devenski is owned. anyone you can think of?
@jon: Chad Green, Phelps, Shane Greene, Nicasio best names I can think of
How would you rank betances, Phelps, barraclough, and Rogers for s+h Ros? Thanks!
@Wacha Wacha: If you don’t need K’s Rogers, Barracough, Phelps, Dellin. crazy to think but betances could get squeezed ou and the s+h return for any yankee is bad right now.the first three are all close like they could end the year with 9,8 and 7 type stuff.
Who replaces Reed as the closer if he is traded? Secondly, what about Detroit?
@Jason: Blevins. Who may also be dealt. Then it’s Salas and Robles
Sv+hold league …
I currently have Diaz and (pre trade) Kahnle (with Devenski plugged in daily as starter).
Regarding Kahnle: how is his value now that he’s in NY? Should I be looking to swap him out for the likes of a:
Bear Claw
Doolittle
Oh
. . . Or the like?
@Eric: I like Barraclough for Kahnle. Tommy the K is unfortunately not in a great spot for stats that matter consumption. Easily 4th on the tree and the yanks are in the bottom third in NSVH total for the year
Speculating for saves (mainly for next year) in dynasty league. I swapped Tommy K for GIvens. I like the way Treinen has looked with a fresh start in Oak. Would you swap him out for Edwards Jr?
Thanks
@Tommy: Treinen and Edwards are both really good next year options. Add in Givens based on how the Orioles may blow things uo and you may have the speculative best three closers that I can think of
Thanks Smokey. Appreciate the input.