Bullpen Report: July 13, 2013
Apologies for the tardy and abbreviated Bullpen Report this morning.
Here we go…
Chris Perez needed just 12 pitches to earn his 12th save of the season in a clean inning of work last evening against the Royals. The 28-year-old is now 12-of-14 in save opportunities this season, including a perfect 6-for-6 since coming off the disabled list in late-June. The right-hander has allowed just one earned run with a 16.6% K% and an 8.3% BB% since returning to action. The velocity on his primary offerings are down a tick this season but the good news is that it appears to have rebounded about half-a-tick over his last nine innings of work. Perez’s rates and ratios aren’t exactly exciting for fantasy purposes, but he’s earning saves again which is obviously beneficial for those in need of help in that category. He’s still available in 28% of Y! leagues. I’m adding and/or holding Perez right now.
Addison Reed surrendered two hits that lead to one earned run in the ninth-inning, but snuck out of the City of Brotherly Love with his 24th save in 28 chances. The youngster now owns a 3.95 ERA (2.64 FIP), a 1.07 WHIP with a 25% K% and an impressive 5.4% BB% in 39 games (41 IP) this season. But Reed’s success hasn’t come without a few hiccups — he’s blown two of his last five save opportunities and has allowed six earned runs in his last six outings. Four of the aforementioned six earned came in one appearance when the Indians strung together a bunch of singles and a homer off the bat of Nick Swisher, which can happen to a young pitcher grinding through the summer months in his first full-season with the closer’s role. Reed could still be a top ten-ish closer for me from here-on-out, depending on if and to what extent the White Sox dismantle their roster at the deadline.
Brad Ziegler notched his second consecutive save and remains perfect in three save opportunities this year. He now owns a fairly impressive 2.44 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP through 50 (!) appearances (44.1 IP) this season. Ziegler isn’t a big strikeout guy at just 13.7% K%, but he doesn’t walk many either (7.4% BB%). I’m trying to avoid the Arizona bullpen at all costs at this point, but if you’re in a deeper league and are desperate for saves, you may as well add the righty if you have the room and the ability to part with a marginal piece. Yes, I know he’s not on our chart as of this writing, because we don’t have room for four healthy closers! We’ll see how the rest of this week shakes out before making a move. He’s available in 90% of Y! leagues at the moment.
Quick Hitters: Craig Kimbrel (26), Fernando Rodney (22), Glen Perkins (21) and Casey Janssen (18) each earned saves on Saturday night. Matt Thornton landed in Boston via trade. I’ve updated the White Sox ‘pen to reflect this, but we’ll see how Boston utilizes him to determine if he’ll make his way back on our chart going forward.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
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I have a difference of opinion on some of these.
In Ari, I think Bell is safely out of the closer role. Putz’s health/strength is all that’s in the way of him closing. I’d put Ziegler and Hernandez firmly ahead of Bell.
In Bal, I think Day is next in line, but I guess it could go either way.
In Bos, Bailey seems to be pitching better than Taz. I’d say he’s clearly passed him up for now.
In Det, Al has been struggling. I’d say Rondon is clearly ahead of him.
In Sea, my guess is Perez is next up. Furbush could be mentioned as well. Maybe add multiple slots to the 3rd column? Closer/Next/Others
And in Tex, Soria seems to have already climbed up to being next in line.
As for the color volatility, maybe make Gregg/Veras red and maybe Betancourt/Cishek yellow with the trade deadline approaching.
Really like this idea. It’s especially helpful if in a holds league.
Seems pretty clearly to be Ziegler 1, Hernandez 2 in AZ., with Putz taking over once/if he’s healthy. Though, given their woes at closer and the risk of Putz breaking down again, it wouldn’t surprise me if Ziegler were allowed to keep the role if he continues to have success.