Bullpen Report: A Thornburg in Sawx Side

The last week of the spring always breeds injuries, demotions, and the occasional leap frogging.  Or in some cases, Dusty is going to be simply be Dusty.  But I will get to that little blurb in a few.  So with the injury news to T.T., the Red Sox order is now Joe Kelly, Matt Barnes, and then maybe Bob Stanley.  Joe Kelly is the interesting name here because I always thought he was at least in the conversation for the secondary chair behind Tyler.  This is interesting because if, and only if, Kimbrel goes down, the man on the spot may very well be Joe freaking Kelly.  The same guy that said that he could win a Cy Young last year.  Adjusting to a newer role is always a tough spot, even though he appeared in 14 games as a RP last year.  His K-rate spiked, his walk rate halved, and his ability to be touched for hits disappeared.  Not unusual for former starting pitchers, but this was kind of a drastic change from what we saw as a starter. He is not the second coming of Luke Gregerson circa 2012, but is a fine enough arm with enough quality in it to garner the counting stats needed in Thorny’s stead. Let’s see what else is happening in the set-up facet of the game and update the final preseason Holds chart before the games actually mean something…

Koda Glover – It will be he and Kelley in the set-up role… for now, or until Dusty breaks his tooth pick.  Treinen’s durability wins out for the closer.  In save only leagues, you can hold Glover for the first five games and then drop.  After that it should be safe.

Nick Vincent – With Sea-Shack starting the year on the DL, the order is Vincent then Altavilla… not really a change from anything that I have published before.  Just wanted you to know in case you were crossing I’s and dotting T’s.

Jeurys Familia – Buy him, everywhere you can while his suspension is everyone’s head.

Carter Capps – Drafting him late still is a great idea, patience pays off in the beginning of the year.  Great relievers can fill his spot ’til that sexy K-rate is back and jumping/pitching again.

And now some stat goodies from last year that still make sense this year…

• The bottom  teams in saves last year: Minnesota, Cincy, S.D., Angels and D-Backs.  Quick, name five worse bullpens now that the season is here.  You can’t, minus Cam Bedrosian being the savior all these teams look abysmal for the counting stat again.
• In the Holds department for that same thing, Minnesota and Cincinnati were worst two last year.  Things aren’t going to change.  Chase the stat elsewhere.
• The Giants last year had 31 more save opportunities then the second place team.
• You know how many players had over 31 holds last year?  One Addison Reed.
• The difference between second place (29) holds last year and the 40th place guy was only 10 Holds.  Showing that there is always diversity and plenty of streamability to go around.
• Back to the Giants, who had 43 saves last year and 32 blown saves, Their new closer this year Mark Melancon has 23 blown saves in the last 8 MLB years.

American League

National League

Remember these chats only reflect the HOLD situations and the closer is not included.

*Denotes team in a closer by committee.