You all can blame me for the weekend bullpen chaos. I said last week was a relatively calm one on the saves front and as soon as I typed the words the baseball gods launched a comet of calamity at MLB. I shall do may best not to draw their ire again anytime soon.
- The Phillies traded for Brandon Workman to come in and close over the struggling Hector Neris. We’ll see how this goes. Workman has better results than peripherals. He may be a time bomb. He’s 1/2 for saves on Philly already. Matt Barnes was named sort of the closer but like only if he’s being cool about it. Maybe Ryan Brasier finds himself in the ninth again at some point.
- Here’s some career advice: don’t become the Pirates closer. Their bullpen is apparently built on an Indian burial ground. Keone Kela was sidelined as soon as he’d returned with foreman tightnes. That’s the equivalent of a husband coming home from a Thailand business trip telling his wife, there’s something I have to tell you. Richard Rodriguez may finally get his shot. He notched the first save chance he got. Kyle Crick is getting closer to a return but his mediocrity is better suited as a setup man.
- Not that it matters since he wasn’t closing but Nick Anderson was just IL’d, as was Chaz Roe. Deigo Castillo, Jalen Beeks, and two to seven other relievers factor in for Rays saves.
- As many of us suspected, Drew Pomeranz is hurt. Emilio Pagan hasn’t had his best start but the team traded for him for just this reason. Craig Stammen and Cal Quantrill are the deeper options to watch for.
- Jake Fraley, one of my most targeted deep format OF options before the world turned upside down, is finally getting his chance in 2020. He’s a great potential source of speed. Such is the Mariner way.
- If you’re looking for a sneaky move consider adding Wade Davis. He’s “feeling better” and the closer committee is going poorly without him.
