In school they teach, or try to teach, in most of our cases for the ADHD crowd, the essentials of a good curriculum. Reading, Writing and arithmetic. We can apply that to the closer situation in Arizona. Addison Reed is the closer, but for how much longer?, is the key conundrum. He see’s the writing on the wall, but he also has the backing of his manager throughout the season (and again on Tuesday), and has since blown 2 more saves. Though the way the D-Backs are going, would it be optimal for them to ground an asset, or a “sort of asset” now, and then try and go a different direction later via trade? Cuz let’s be honest, they aren’t going anywhere, and have capable arms in the majors and minors to jump in if necessary. Now the math part, well that is why we do fantasy baseball, it’s all about the numbers. Which, in Addison’s case, really sounds like a totally hot chicks name, prolly drives a Jeep Wrangler, wears her dad’s old jeans as cut-offs, basically a goer if you catch my drift. [Jay’s Note: I really don’t.] Where was I and why am I all sweaty? Oh…numbers. Reed’s K’s are up and walks are down from his career numbers… but but but Smokey, those are good things. Right? Well, technically yes, but when luck runs out you go to Zig-Zags, and by that, I mean Brad Ziegler, (the next guy up in the event of a change). Yes, even with the escape-goat win on Wednesday. I mean, Addison has done really nothing wrong besides blow 5 games, and sometimes looks about as hittable as Rihanna. So sit on Addison, but cushion the blow with B-Rad, and for dynasty lookers, take a look at Jake Barrett. Let’s see what other geniuses of truth happened in the last week or two.
- The Rays have had a sudden resurgence in the standings, and it has had a direct reflection on their bullpen numbers as well. They have had 7 saves in the last 14 days, 5 by new closer Jake McGee His 5 saves ties him for the most during the span, tied with a slew of others. So first is good, tied to others is bad, unless in a 3-legged race.
- Trevor Rosenthal is turning into a Whip-opatomus. Hence his dip in the rankings. Every outing is shakier than Alex P. Keaton. For example, he has had 11 consecutive appearances allowing a runner on base, 5 of which were multiple base-runners. Every other is nice and neat, like an OCD person’s sock drawer, minus the 2/1 K/BB, and for that Trevor, no allowance.
- The White Sox situation is about as easy to predict as an octopus saying he will put his best foot forward. Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam are the guys to own, and their upcoming TeenNick show, Jake and the set-up man looks to be a horrendous flop. Needs more Joe Penny. It’s a completely situational thing, and if you have better options to occupy your roster, I will sign your permission slip for your mom.
- Mike Dunn is the king vulture so far this year. He is such a good racketeer, that he leads the Marlins in wins with 7. Way to go stickers for everyone.
Marry
What’s better than having the comfort of having a great stand-by at home? Nothing. It helps you, it lives for you and gosh darn’it, you can do with it as you please, under the jurisdictions of the law. It’s got a nice pre-kids body and a penchant for baking. So we have the roster stalwarts that you want to have and hold for this season forward.
1. Craig Kimbrel – (Jordan Walden, Shae Simmons)
2. Kenley Jansen – (Chris Perez, Brian Wilson, J.P. Howell)
3. Greg Holland – (Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera, Aaron Crow)
4. Aroldis Chapman – (Jonathan Broxton, J.J. Hoover)
5. Koji Uehara – (Junichi Tazawa, Edward Mujica, Andrew Miller)
6. Glen Perkins – (Jared Burton, Casey Fien)
7. David Robertson – (Dellin Betances, Adam Warren, Matt Thornton)
8. Huston Street – (Joaquin Benoit, Dale Thayer)
9. Sean Doolittle – (Luke Gregerson, Danny Otero, Ryan Cook)
F#ck
These guys are fun, and maybe some day you’ll want to marry them, but right now they have their flaws and you’re not sure if you wanna take them home to mom. So you give them the special booty-call ring designation on your phone, and you get everything that marriage can’t give you. Stats are the important thing here, and lots of them, no obligations. No alimony attached, just straight unadulterated stats.
10. Francisco Rodriguez – (Will Smith, Brandon Kintzler)
11. Fernando Rodney – (Danny Farquhar, Yoervis Medina, Charlie Furbush)
12. Steve Cishek – (Mike Dunn, A.J. Ramos)
13. Trevor Rosenthal – (Pat Neshek, Seth Maness, Jason Motte)
14. Rafael Soriano – (Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen)
15. Cody Allen – (Bryan Shaw, John Axford)
16. Mark Melancon – (Ernesto Frieri, Tony Watson, Justin Wilson)
17. Zach Britton – (Tommy Hunter, Darren O’Day)
18. Joakim Soria – (Jason Frasor, Neal Cotts)
19. Casey Janssen – (Steve Delabar, Brett Cecil, Aaron Loup)
20. Jonathan Papelbon – (Ken Giles, Antonio Bastardo, Justin De Frautus)
21. Joe Nathan – (Joba Chamberlain, Al Alburquerque, Ian Krol)
22. Chad Qualls – (Kyle Farnsworth, Josh Fields)
Kill
Should be self-explanatory. There is no comfort in this grouping, along with the fear of looking suspicious when buying a new shovel and some lyme when all that you wanna do is plant a new butterfly bush. The jib? The newly injured replacements are here or just they’re just the unproven. All should be laid to rest, unless desperation or injury becomes you. Don’t get comfy, death or stat-suicide may be closer than it appears.
23. Addison Reed – (Brad Ziegler, J.J. Putz)
24. Joe Smith – (Jason Grilli, Kevin Jepsen, Mike Morin)
25. Jake McGee – (Joel Peralta, Grant Balfour, Brad Boxberger)
26. LaTroy Hawkins – (Rex Brothers, Adam Ottavino)
27. Jenrry Mejia – (Jeurys Familia, Carlos Torres, Vic Black)
28. Hector Rondon – (Neil Ramirez, Pedro Strop)
29 Santiago Casilla – (Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt, Jean Machi)
30. Jake Petricka / Zach Putnam
