I posted the last Closer Report two weeks ago, the same distance in between them as always. I basically had to take a flamethrower to that ranking. It’s hard to recall a more drastic two weeks in bullpen hierarchies. Yes, it’s only been two weeks imaginary friend Carl that keeps telling me to huff some more glue. It only feels like a quarter season. Tiers are Fla.Vor.Ice themed since my three-year-old has just discovered them.
- Keona Kela is off the COVID-IL for Pittsburgh. He should slot into the closer role by default. They may want him to get one appearance with less leverage prior to closing.
- Mike Matheny has fired up the way back machine and found a vintage Trevor Rosenthal. Perhaps Matheny’s gentle style of yanking pitchers around and pitting players against each other just soothes Rosie.
- Kirby Yates’ arm is barking a bit. The team is doing their best to give him days off. That does not help your fake teams. Drew Pomeranz is the guy benefiting most from that.
- Ty Buttrey has managed to hold the closer gig after Hansel Robles was decidedly not hot. That’s a change from last season when he couldn’t string two decent appearances together. There was potential in Buttrey after his rookie year. Maybe he’s turning a corner.
- The Rays are determined to get every reliever on the roster a save this year. They don’t want anyone feeling left out. Who has two thumbs, not enough sleep, and told you to be careful with Nick Anderson?
Orange: Orange is always the best fake flavor.
- Josh Hader (David Phelps)
- Kenley Jansen (Blake Treinen)
- Liam Hendriks (Joakim Soria)
- Zach Britton (Adam Ottavino, IL: Aroldis Chapman)
Green: Lime is one of the few artificial flavors that sugar pushers can get somewhat right.
- Kirby Yates (Emilio Pagan/Drew Pomeranz)
- Hector Neris (Tommy Hunter)
- Taylor Rogers/Sergio Romo
- Raisel Iglesias (Michael Lorenzen)
- Archie Bradley (Andrew Chafin)
- Joe Jimenez (Gregory Soto)
- Nick Anderson/Jose Alvarado/Any RP on the roster
- Daniel Hudson (Sean Doolittle)
- Anthony Bass (Rafael Dolis, IL: Ken Giles)
Red: Too many people over-bid for red.
- Rafael Montero (Jonathan Hernandez)
- Alex Colome (Evan Marshall)
- Brandon Kintzler (Ryne Stanek)
- Trevor Gott (Tony Watson)
- Giovanny Gallegos (Andrew Miller)
- Jairo Diaz (Daniel Bard, IL: Wade Davis)
- Mark Melancon (Will Smith)
- Rowan Wick (Jeremy Jeffress)
- Ryan Pressly (Andre Scrubb, IL: Roberto Osuna)
- Brandon Workman (Matt Barnes)
- Edwin Diaz/Seth Lugo/Dellin Betances
- Ty Buttrey (Felix Pena/Hansel Robles)
- Brad Hand (James Karinchak)
Blue: If your favorite is blue then grow up, Count Chocula.
- Trevor Rosenthal/Greg Holland/Ian Kennedy
- Taylor Williams (Dan Altavilla, IL: Yoshihisa Hirano)
- Keone Kela (Richard Rodriguez, IL: Kyle Crick)
- Cole Sulser (Miguel Castro)