Bullpen Report: Getting Late Early

With the season winding down and most H2H leagues in full-on go mode, this week’s holds post will be the last one of the year.  I know, so sad, right?  It has been a 25-week journey into the pits and pendulums that are fantasy bullpens.  But with the conclusion, it is always good to look ahead to next year for everyone in keeper, dynasty or just anyone looking to get a jump on next year now.  I mean, I never stop really doing bullpen research all year, I drink one can of beer at a time and then look to the bottom of the can to see if the answer or answers are printed on the bottom.  Alas, I haven’t found one yet, but that won’t stop me from trying again and again in my ever search for bullpen enlightenment. Things to look for late in the year for future bullpen potential; high leverage usage, a great success with stranded runners and a great situational involvement in that teams bullpen moving forward. Just a P.S., those are the things I give you with every bullpen piece in my helpful chart. Yes that last one is tough because we never know who will be traded and add or subtract value from another, but great bullpen arms on one team with potential for holds, saves and just overall decent fantasy return are very rarely ever traded and don’t return to same spot with new team.  So put your feet up, I have 10 more beers left before this post is done…

• Mauricio Cabrera seems to be the guy the team wants to focus on.  As they should, with some refinement, he is going to be a fantastic set-up/closer next year.  Jim Johnson is not coming back into the picture as a closer, and I think Vizcaino will be moved for other talent for a team looking to augment it’s roster.  His K-rate doesn’t match his velocity, which is a bit troubling, but he will be better six months from now.
• After two disastrous appearances this week, is the writing on the wall for the Phillies to give Hector Neris a look as the closer for the final nine games and have him carry that over til next year? With 28 Holds and 46 appearances with the lead this year he is knocked on as a future piece or a growing city of  Bro Love team.
• The most interesting offseason and since “still playing now” situations is the Giants.  Casilla is not the closer any longer and won’t be next year because he is a free agent.  Sergio Romo is in the save conversation now… but is also a free agent.  The team is too much invested to winning now, that they turn to youngsters Derek Law, Will Smith, Steven Okert and Hunter Strickland look to be the beneficiaries of set-up, but this whole thing screams Mark Melancon, who is a free agent.
•  The Dodgers took all year to figure out their bullpen in the last 30 or so days.  Pedro Baez has been great and used almost every day.  The name that is intriguing to me is Grant Dayton, the 28 year old rookie had seven seasons in the minors to final arrive for the contending Vin Scully’s.  K-rate hovering near 12 over his minor league career.  Never going to be a closer but a stout bullpen guy pitching behind the most expensive starters in baseball looks nice.
• Dellin Betances has had 1 hold in the last 30 days since he is now the closer.  Should still finish in the top 5 overall. and maybe be a 15 save 25 hold reliever and over 50 appearances with the lead with a K rate over 15.  All good for a top 10 finish in NSVH.  Going into next year he will be a top-4 closer off the board and top 100 player.