Raise your hand if the juiced ball isn’t affecting your high priced pitcher yet. Not so fast Blake Snell owners, he’s on the IL with a broken toe via clumsy furniture moving. You’re going to be in the mean streets of relief appearances with the rest of us now. You can throw on some REM and cry in the shower or work at filling some gaps. A well-aimed non-closer can certainly pay dividends. There’s something below for whatever ails you. I don’t include anyone getting regular saves in the ranks.
- At least Arodys Vizcaino did us the favor of being out for the season quickly. That sounds good on the surface for A.J. Minter owners, but I still don’t think the team wants him shouldering that burden alone. Maybe Craig Kimbrell rolls into town for a reunion. Maybe they find a cheap option in trade. Either way, the book on that job is far from finished.
- This week’s middle relief darling has been Nick Anderson of the Marlins. He’s a strikeout buzzsaw at 17.65 K/9, with an occasional home run hiccup at 1.04 HR/9. It’d be more appealing if he got a hold once and a while.
- If you missed out there you can check on Robert Stephenson, the working man’s Nick Anderson. That’s not just because everything from Cincinnati is the working man’s something or other. Stephenson has 12 Ks to just 1 BB. Though he too hasn’t earned a hold to date.
- Ken Giles notched a save Thursday afternoon. It was far from a smooth ride, however. If you’re in a league that requires speculation the recently activated Ryan Tepera could be mixing into the ninth in no time.
- Craig Stammen has been the perfect Gate to Yates (copyright pending). Plenty of teams have checked in with the Padres about his availability. Which is odd since they’re looking to compete now. He’s a top arm in a league using holds.
- Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Baltimore continue to compete for who’s bullpen is the biggest dumpster fire. I get it if you need to employ someone from these teams, just know I feel your pain.
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.
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.
Who do you like better for saves?
Swarzak or Buttrey?
If you can wait out the situation, Buttrey. If you need them now Swarzak.
Stephenson got a hold last night. Any chance he can start being the 8th inning guy in Cincy? Trying to find SP eligible pitchers to get holds or saves.
Cincy’s been all over the place. I think he can easily figure into the holds picture if he keeps showing he’s worth trusting.
For an SP eligible holds guy, do you prefer Guerra, Gant or Stephenson?
And is that the order you’d rank them?
If smith gets dealt this deadline do you like Watson or moronta more as a potential closer
Of those two I’d take Moronta. It’d probably be Melancon.
Stammen leading the group of guys with “just one break needs to go his way”? This makes no sense. Is this based on some assumption Yates will be dealt? Otherwise you could say this about literally every “next in line” guy in the league. I would think you’d want to list guys here who may realistically overtake the guy who currently has the role.
They’re ranked by quality, not odds to become closer. That doesn’t mean guys in other categories don’t have a shot at the closer gig.
Is it time to drop Joe Kelly for holds for Scott Alexander or Pedro Baez for L.A? Our league has ratios as well.
We’ve seen Kelly come through this kind of rough stretch before. I don’t think he’s a must own piece if there’s a replacement you’re happy with though.
im elated
on a scale of 1-10 how funny is it to exclusively call Jeurys Familia “Jerrys Family”
thx
10
Stammen or Tepera if speculating saves?
I’m much more interested in Tepera. Stammen’s path is Yates getting overworked. Tepera just needs Ken Giles to slip off the tight rope he’s always walking.
what, no love for nick burdi in the k it up section? his k% is 50!
He’s a great inclusion. Very likely to be listed next week if he keeps it up.