A bunch of bullpens have undergone reseeding after a flurry of deadline moves. It’s not a bad time to grab a speculative arm in an uncertain situation. As the ultimate standing climber, Petr Baelish, once said, “Chaos is a ladder.” Just be careful who you trust your ratio’s with…
- The Cubs bullpen is a smoldering dumpster. Not on fire yet, but on notice. Craig Kimbrel needs an IL stint where he’ll join Brandon Kintzler. Steve Cishek gave up two more runs than outs in his last appearance (3-1). Pedro Strop was activated but won’t be used in save situations, apparently. That makes David Phelps the technical favorite?
- Jose Leclerc is getting yet another shot at regaining his closer role with Texas. I’m not holding my breath. Shawn Kelley just came off the IL and will be ready to fill in if/when Leclerc has his usual control issues.
- We’re finally getting Archie Bradley the closer. He’s earned two straight saves after the team designated Greg Holland for assignment. I’d be cautiously optimistic as a Bradley holder while keeping one eye on Yoan Lopez and Yoshi Hirano.
- Nick Anderson seems to be settling in as Tampa’s setup man, to the chagrin of Deigo Castillo owners. It’s the Rays, so we need more of a signal before knowing the hierarchy with better certainty. If you paid for him last week it’s encouraging that he’s in the mix, though.
- The Mets trade of Jarred Kelenic looks worse every day. Edwin Diaz is struggling again. Robinson Cano’s leg fell. Seth Lugo is about to be the interim closer. I’d suggest contracting the Mets if their comedic relief were so enjoyable.
- The Brewers are playing all kinds of musical chairs since adding parts at the deadline. Drew Pomeranz still looks solid as a reliever while Freddy Peralta has stumbled lately. Matt Albers was the only option available Tuesday night and picked up a save. It’s nice to have options but at some point having a role helps a reliever. Let’s see how the Brew Crew define things going forward.
Closers In Waiting
The next men up for saves. One break just needs to go their way.
K It Up
Get a category enhancer from these high K/9 strikeout artists.
- Nick Anderson
- Andres Munoz
- Adam Ottavino
- Matt Barnes
- Giovany Gallegos
- Tayron Guerrero
- Robert Stephenson
Ratio Darlings
These guys may not earn saves, but they can help smooth your ratios.
Long Men
Hard up for starters? An effective long man can bridge a gap until you find someone.
I am a little mystified at Ty Buttrey being listed as the top Closer In Waiting. In his last five appearances, he has given up 8 runs, all earned, on 10 hits and 3 BBs in just five innings. And in his previous five innings he gave up another 3 earned runs on 8 hits.
Meanwhile the closer there, Robles, has given up only 4 runs in his last 24 appearances, and never more than one run in any appearance since May. Sure, three of those runs came in his last 5 appearances, but come on, the guy has earned some runway with his performance this season and there is no way they are looking to hand over the ninth inning to Buttrey, right? Or is there actually some scuttlebutt indicating otherwise?
I feel like that’s all from a bad week at the end of June, but he could probably come down a spot or two. We’ll find out soon if it was a blip or something more.
Just a bad week at the end of June? You mean Buttrey? Mmm, no … here are his last five appearances:
7/25 1 inn, 3 hits, 2 ER
7/27 1/3 inn, 2 hits, 2 ER
7/29 1 inn, 2 hits, 2 BBs, 3 ER
8/3 1 2/3 inn, 1 hit, 0 ER
8/6 1 inn, 2 hits (1 HR), 1 BB, 1 ER
Basically, he has been a dumpster fire the past two weeks. And like I said, he wasn’t very good the previous couple of weeks either.
His previous 5.2 innnings yielded 4 hits, 1 ER, 7 Ks?
Yes, but if you extend that by just a single inning to his previous 6.2 innings, they yielded 8 hits and 3 ERs.
I am not saying Buttrey is terrible — he’s not. And sure, if Robles got hurt, the closer job would highly likely go to him, so from that perspective, he is just “one break” away. But if you compare his status to, for instance, Lugo (who may already be at least sharing the closer role with Diaz), or Yoan Lopez (who might be a mediocre outing or two from Bradley from getting a shot), it just does not seem Buttrey is anywhere as close to getting his shot.
I see where you’re coming from.
How efficient do you think both Josh Hader and Brad Hand will be? Both top 5 the rest of the season? Or will either regress a bit?
I don’t see any reason to expect regression from either. Both have an occasional hiccup but who doesn’t.
Thank you very much.
Petit or Pagan, SVHD league. I’ll have the guy I pick for 2020 too
Thanks
Pagan will get more opportunities.
Roto – best handcuff for my bully is?
Liam Hendriks (Treinen unavailable)
Carlos Martinez
Taylor Rogers
They’ve been good up to this point but…
You want the handcuff for those guys?
In a deep league current closers are :
Osuna
Chapman
Vasquez
Giles
Pagan
Workman is on waivers. Drop Giles for Workman or hold?
I’d stay away from that Boston situation. As low as I am on Giles he’s been fine. The arm issue is scary but they seem intent to let him pitch through it.
Yes, I’d grab Workman. He seems to be the guy in Boston. Fine to drop Giles.
Archie Bradley over Liam Hendricks?
Total coin flip. Bradley has slightly less threat to his role I guess.