All the fantasy world was hoping that Jonathan Papelbon would be traded to a team without a reliable closer. Instead, he goes to a team and kicks in the door swinging with the “I make more money than you” swagger that only comes with wearing Jordache jeans. And then he takes Drew Storen‘s job. From a relief pitcher standpoint, Papelbon jumps from the worst save-driven team to top 10 overall. The Phillies generated only 26 save opportunities to the date of his trade. The Nationals were a far better team, and their record says so with 43 save opportunities. The Nationals have also had a lead 32 more times than the Phillies, so Storen isn’t a completely wasted roster spot. If you got skunked by this, you need to keep him rostered. He will still get the off-day save chances, and should pitch in a ton of high-leverage situations based on the bullpen shape of the Nationals, which isn’t a blue ribbon. Papelbon immediately jumps to elite status for me because of his history, and the whole contending team thing. He will easily double his saves total (in less games) to date, which stands at 17. On the flip side of this trade, it opens up the gates to wunderkid Ken Giles to close in the land of steaks covered in cheese. Giles immediate value is that of a closer, but with the Phil’s, he’s going to basically have a worse representation of what Papelbon had, but he still has moderate save appeal. I can see him getting 10 saves the rest of the way. This is posting a day before the deadline, so things could be in flux. And make sure to check out Ralph and myself over on Razzball Soccer, as the FPL is in full go.
- The trade of Clippard to the Mets opens up a complete committee for the A’s. Mujica, Pomeranz, Scribner, and Fernando Rodriguez all look viable candidates. Oakland is in the bottom three for save opps on the year with only 33. Their offense is blah and the chances look worse than the Phillies for total saves the rest of season. If you are stuck looking for saves from the Clippard trade, then trade you should. You know, instead of rostering 2-3 guys from this team.
- Brad Ziegler has converted 15 straight saves since becoming the full time door-shutter in the dessert. Addison Reed says hi to everyone, btw.
- I am nervous with Glen Perkins recent work load and success. 6 ER in last 4 appearances, previous 38 appearances… 5 earned. He isn’t in danger yet, and the Twins are still in a race. So I don’t see a change coming
- Comparisons are fun, especially with bullpens. The Royals bullpen for the last 30 days has been more valuable using WAR than every MLB player except four (Trout, Lo-Cain, Votto, Kershaw).
- What was everyone doing on May 11th? That’s the last day that Mark Melancon allowed an earned run. Been crazy good and deserved the bump as the Pirates are playing well.
- The Cubs bullpen is different now then it was yesterday and its different yet again from a week and a half ago. Maddon is a nut job, all 4 guys could garner save chances until one pulls ahead and gives him a gift basket.
- The Arodys Vizcaino 2 month spree as the closer seems like it’s evident. Jim Johnson is a key cog for holds and should maintain his ownability with the Dodgers
$12 Salads
You know that restaurant your girlfriend/wife/what-have-you likes to go to that charges, like, $12 for a salad? Every time you go there, you have a thoroughly solid meal. No complaints, except you just paid $12 for a salad when you could’ve went to McDonald’s and stuffed you and your woman for ten schmools and had $2 in quarters left over to make the hotel bed vibrate. These closers are $12 salads.
1. Aroldis Chapman – (J.J. Hoover, Manny Parra)
2. Kenley Jansen — (Jim Johnson. Joel Peralta)
3. Greg Holland– (Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera)
4. Andrew Miller– (Dellin Betances, Justin Wilson)
5. Trevor Rosenthal – (Kevin Siegrist, Seth Maness)
6. Craig Kimbrel – (Joaquin Benoit, Brandon Maurer)
7. Mark Melancon — (Tony Watson, Jared Hughes)
8. Jonathan Papelbon – (Drew Storen, Casey Janssen)
9. Huston Street – (Joe Smith, Trevor Gott)
Donkeycorns
Imagine you’re following a donkey, who’s wearing a wool cap, through a desert for 1700 miles. Why are you following a donkey? Because he promises you something wonderful and you just need to trust him. Does the donkey talk? Yes. Yes, he does talk. So when you and the donkey in the wool cap arrive at his destination, he removes the wool cap to reveal a horn. The donkey is a unicorn and his gift to you for your trust is saves. These closers are Donkeycorns.
10. Glen Perkins – (Blaine Boyer, Casey Fien, J.R Graham)
11. David Robertson – (Jake Petricka, Zach Duke)
12. Zach Britton – (Darren O’Day, Chaz Roe)
13. Cody Allen – (Bryan Shaw, Zach McAllister)
14. Jeurys Familia – (Tyler Clippard, Bobby Parnell)
15. Koji Uehara – (Junichi Tazawa, Alexi Ogando)
16. Francisco Rodriguez, (Will Smith, Jeremy Jeffress)
17. Joakim Soria – (Bruce Rondon, Al Alburquerque)
18. Santiago Casilla – (Sergio Romo, Hunter Strickland)
19. A.J. Ramos – (Carter Capps, Mike Dunn)
20. Brad Ziegler – ( Daniel Hudson, Andrew Chafin)
21. Shawn Tolleson – (Keone Kela, Tanner Scheppers)
Employed
These guys are the men that make the save market go round. They punch in, punch out. Have the job, no real threat to speak of, and are basically just there to collect great benny’s so they can take care of their crippled brother. Who is only really crippled because he is scared of the sun.
22. Luke Gregerson – (Pat Neshek, Josh Fields)
23. Brad Boxberger – (Jake McGee, Kevin Jepsen)
24. Ken Giles– (Luis Garcia, Justin de Fratus)
25. John Axford – (Rafael Betancourt, Tommy Kahnle)
Brain Freezes
I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples, bananas and Carlos Marmol– Wait, he just gave up 12 earned runs and hit Castro in the head with a pick-off throw. Brain freeze! Make it stop! Use the following closers at your own risk.
26. Roberto Osuna (LaTroy Hawkins, Aaron Sanchez, Brett Cecil)
27. Carson Smith – (Fernando Rodney, Mark Lowe)
28. Arodys Vizcaino – (Luis Avilan, David Aardsma, Jason Frasor)
29. Hector Rondon / Jason Motte / Pedro Strop / Rafael Soriano
30. Edward Mujica / Evan Scribner / Drew Pomeranz / Eric O’Flaherty
Thoughts on who will be closing in Detroit if Soria gets traded today?
@Relsh: Rondon/Al AL/ sleeper Alex Wilson
Yo Smoke! How you doin? I’ve been waiting for a Pap smear Papelbon headline for a while now, so thanks for that. Thoughts on how many saves Jim Johnson could vulture? Someone just dumped him in our league, but it’s a 10 team yahoo, so pretty shallow.
@Nico: My guess would be less than he’s worth. He’ll give up more earned runs as a set up man than he’s worth. Don’t bother unless it’s a holds league. I rather own Capps if that’s the case cuz his shizz is electric.
@Nico: 2 saves ROS. Will only get the off day save chance maybe for Jansen. i will be down by you in 2 weeks, let me know if you’re free to grab a beer or 5
Melvin said Mujica would close, then pretty much every other RP got bombed yesterday. He deserves the last place ranking, but it may not end up being much of a committee.
@Don: Oak bullpen is bad, worse if possible then Tigers. They don’t have much save future in them as a team so Mujica is like the smartest guy with down syndrome there
Closers are axford, Holland, and ziegler. Drop dyson to add vizcaino. Net saves/saves. Or drop dyson to add souza who is projected $30 on hittertron Friday,sat,Sunday,monday,Tuesday.
Or wait for maybe hoover to become closer in cinncy. Only have 1 add left this week
12 team h2h
@mike: Grab Vizcaino for Dyson as long as you have the OF cover.
Speculating on SV a day ahead of the deadline: Hoover, Benoit or Capps?
@Steve Stevenson: Vizcaino gone I assume? If not then him….otherwise I would say Benoit…..Padres seem most likely to deal their current closer most out of those teams….
@Raindoggg: Vizcaino’s sitting on my bench. A week ago my RP (we can only roster 4) were Osuna, Clippard, Johnson and Axford (w/ McGee still in DL slot). Now they’re Osuna, Giles, Vizcaino and Johnson. Now that the ATL trade’s final I’m going to dump Johnson and keep McGee on DL for now.
@Steve Stevenson: Both Axford and Clippard have cleared waivers now, too. Even though he’s closing I don’t really think Ax is worth the trouble. But after today’s Mets debacle (leading 7-5 after 8, rain delay with T-storms all over the area, they pull the tarp juuust long enough for Familia to give up a 3-run bomb, then cover the field again in the bottom of the 9th), maybe Clip gets a shot?
@Steve Stevenson: go re pick up Clippard.
Since Familia can longer extinguish a fire Smokey, is it time to cut ties. Ziegler or Familia
@Dnut eastwood: @Dnut eastwood: or Clippard for a handcuff. But I have a Mash unit and dont want to hold anyone really. Off the save topic who has a better chance of helping me down the stretch when they return from the DL. James Paxson or Josh Harrison I kind of punt MIDDLE INFIELD and need a quality starter. Or kick them both to the curb
@Dnut eastwood: can no longer
@Dnut eastwood: Ziegler needs to be owned, but cuffing yourself with Clippard not awful idea either
For the love of sagnof…..The trade deadline just killed my bullpen..and prob season.. saves only league..
I ditched storen for capps just for the k’s. Dropped clippard added mujica
Who’s the add for Jim Johnson? Need saves only, I’m ok with a spec add. Jeffress, Smith, Benoit? Or throw one at me…
@The HAND OF SAGNOF: I wouldn’t have dropped clippard, Familia is imploding. Vizcaino add for Jimmy.
Also posted in Grey’s latest column, but:
12 team redraft 6×6 (OBP, NSB, QS, Holds). Was just offered J. Pederson for D. Storen.
I am currently in 2nd place in the league in a close race with 1st and 3rd.
In terms of categories at play, I am 4th in Holds (9 points), 7 holds in front of 5th and 10 behind 3rd . I am in in 8th for saves (4 points) and will likely finish the season in 9th for saves. My other RP are: R. Osuna, J. Smith, D. O’Day, J. Motte, J.J. Hoover.
My OF is: S. Marte, K. Calhoun, B. Revere and B. Buxton (DL). I have been playing K. Morales and J. Turner in my 2 UTIL spots. I know Pederson has been slumping hard, but it seems like he would be an upgrade to my UTIL spot and/or OF. Even if Storen starts racking up holds, seems like I most likely will only gain a point because of it.
Should I take the offer?
@C: Take the trade, you can always stream a holds guy you cant stream Joc Pederson
How would you rank A. Wood, Taijuan, and Corbin
@Nat DavidAll fairly close. Just like you have them
Soria traded!!! Need a replacement. Rank Osuna, H. Rondon (both of whom look like their sharing the role), B. Rondon, Alburquerque (which one is the closer?) or Vizcaino (who we THINK is the closer).
@Jack: Osuna H Rondon, Viz and the the Tiger guys
I am desperate for SAGNOF: should I pick up Hoover (and speculate on a Chapman trade) or B. Rondon (speculate that he’s the closer with Soria gone) or even Alburquerque? Thanks in advance!
@DrEasy: Rondon, I think it’s slim that Roldy gets traded and no given that Hoover is that guy
@Smokey: Thanks, done!
With bias as a Jays fan – Osuna-Matata!
@phenomenot: Did Timon or Pumba tell you to say that. Haha. As a Yankee fan catch us if you can
Having closer issues… Familia just blew another save so he looks cooked and I have no idea what is going on with Motte.
You dropping either for Rondon in Detroit or Vizcaino in ATL??
@JimmySuitcase: Motte seems to be getting pimped by Hector and Maddon. Cant drop Familia yet, see if the clippard owner is sleeping on the job and cuff yourself
In dynasty, I gotta hang on to soria right? In case he signs on as closer in the offseason some place?
@MB: yes absolutely, unless someone desperate throws you something sexy
Soria gone, who gets the job in detroit? Rodon or Al ??
@Shawn of the Livid: I still think Rondon gets the majority, but Wilson got first look tonight. It will be a fluid situation with 60 games for someone to show themselves.
Thanks in advance. Who should I own in keep everyone league? Fernando Rodriguez or Romo?
Gracias
@Matt: Romo
Yo Smokey, you don’t seem to have much love for Carson Smith. Do you just think he’s not very good, or likely to lose his job? We have a rookie pitching spot in our starting lineup, so rookie closers are quite valuable. Curious what you think of him.
@Skeezix: oh I like him, just don’t trust his manager. Plus his last 9 innings 6 ER and his manager has an itchy closer finger
@Smokey: Fair enough. You’re not alone – CBS ownership is only 41%. Maybe I’ll see if I can pick him up for cheap. Thanks!
Hi Smokey – In a 12-team H2H league with a ‘Net Saves + HLDs’ category would you drop Soria to speculate on Vizcaino? Soria was god awful last year in a set-up role after his trade from Rangers and I’m worried that could come back…or would you hold onto him? Some other categories are K/9 and K/BB – who do you think will be the better pitcher ROS? Thanks!
@Jason: Neither are great to be honest in a NSVH league, what else is available, maybe a stream option if no roster limit moves
16 team league with saves, holds, net saves and holds, K/9, K to BB, OBPA, i just added a.wilson and will drop axford as soon as i can. i’m in 3rd in saves (way ahead of 4th, way behind 2nd), holds above middle of pack, tied for 5th in net saves and holds (so really should just grab best holds guy), choices are: kela/hudson/betancourt/kahnle/b.logan/chafin/jeenmar gomez/ollie perez/al al.
I have these already
a.wilson/a.miller/walden/romo/j.smith/tolleson.
@Cheese Eating Surrender Monkey: If you have to drop from a.wilson/a.miller/walden/romo/j.smith/tolleson I would hold tight.
@Smokey: but i want holds from a.wilson’s spot,not saves, or maybe you do think a.wilson becomes like their 8th inning guy eventually.
hey Smokey, i’m in a very deep (30 man league with 25 minor league spots) league, with holds. who are some nice deep hopefully unowned names, i remember a post a while back that named all those ARI guys. barrett/bracco owned here, just trying to figure some more names, i’m at the last round of minor league midseason bidding time. i thought there were like 5 guys at ARI that will all likely be very good bullpen pieces eventually.