It’s not easy making a reliever as an MLB closer these days. The ball is juiced and more hitters than ever have figured out that swinging for the fences pays off even with some extra strikeouts. Those factors equal plenty of blown saves these days. The pitching landscape is changing. You need to take more cracks at saves than ever, even if you strike out, too.
- Wade Davis blows another one. It’s obvious he isn’t healthy. Go grab Scott Oberg anywhere you can find him. Davis IL stint coming in three… two… one…
- Edwin Diaz gave us the latest Mike Francesca highlight when he served up meatballs to Maikel Franco and Jean Segura in the ninth of a game the Mets had just taken the lead in. Diaz has not returned the kind of value you were hoping for. Early closers hardly ever do.
- The trade deadline could be splashier than ever with no waiver period in August this year. A fairly surprising name being thrown around as someone who could on the move is Felipe Vazquez. He’s been great for three seasons now. It’s also interesting that the Dodgers are one of the teams after him since they’d slot him in a setup role.
- One appearance, one save for Craig Kimbrel. The Strop owners hoping for some grace period are sorely disappointed. There’s still a chance he’s not used on back to back days for a stretch.
- Boston can’t catch a break. They’re finally using Matt Barnes in the ninth and it blows up in their face. They have to make a move for a back end arm. Maybe the Phillies can move one of their many plan B’s.
- The Braves eased A.J. Minter back into the late innings and it seems to be working. He got the save Tuesday night with Luke Jackson getting a rest. I don’t think that pen becomes a one-man race unless someone really melts down.
Closers In Waiting
The next men up for saves. One break just needs to go their way.
- Scott Oberg
- Ty Buttrey
- Craig Stammen
- Joe Jimenez
- Kyle Crick
- Nick Wittgren
- Sam Dyson
K It Up
Get a category enhancer from these high K/9 strikeout artists.
- Nick Anderson
- Lou Trivino
- Adam Ottavino
- Tayron Guerrero
- Robert Stephenson
- Reyes Moronta
- Giovany Gallegos
Ratio Darlings
These guys may not earn saves, but they can help smooth your ratios.
- Ryan Pressly
- Zach Britton
- Tommy Kahnle
- Amir Garret
- John Brebbia
- Tony Watson
- Yusmeiro Petit
Long Men
Hard up for starters? An effective long man can bridge a gap until you find someone.
- Ryne Stanek
- Robert Gsellman
- John Gant
- Josh James
- Mike Montgomery
- Michael Lorenzen
- Junior Guerra
