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.
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.
Long Men
Hard up for starters? An effective long man can bridge a gap until you find someone.
Saves + holds league who do you like most out of pagan, strop, barnes, minter? Thanks
Minter this week, but it’s a risk.
It’s mike francesa, btw.
I used to make the same mistake saying it out loud too ironically enough.
He doesn’t deserve to have his name spelled correctly.
He’s a national treasure and you know it
I agree that he is as bad as Nicolas Cage’s National Treasure.
Saves and Holds as separate categories. Recently picked up Hendricks as my “Holds” guy but got thrust into the closer role with the Treinen injury. Now have three closers and no Holds guy. Alvarado, Minter, Garrett , Strop amongst several on WW. Would you drop any of Vazquez, Hendricks or Colome for any of the aforementioned or continue to punt Holds?
I’d stand pat and wait things out. The landscape changes quick. Holds will find you.
14-team 5×5 (Saves+Holds) league.
I own Hand, S.Kelley, Oberg, and Hendriks.
Please rank right now and rank ROS.
Thanks!
Hand, Oberg, Hendricks, Kelley.
h2h pts league: is it wrong to being thinking about dropping Ed.Diaz, he’s been sucking so long?
any of these free agents worth swapping him for? – A.Colome, R.Elias, T.Rogers
Thanks!
Sorry, forgot to say hi… Hi Roto-Wan
Sup surfer dude. I would not drop Diaz.
Austin Adams needs some attention.
He’s on the list of soon to be added.
A Bummer needs to be in the closers in waiting category
Is he such a lock he closes? He’s a LHP after all.
Yes, yes he is.
You don’t think Moronta gets the nod over Dyson when SF trade away their bullpen?
Moronta probably does long term but my gut tells me they want Dyson there. Melancon also factors in. It’s messy to speculate on SF.