Bullpen Report: July 15, 2013
There might not be any games but the Bullpen Report keeps going!
• Ron Harper showed a solid cutter pitching to his son Bryce in the Home Run Derby and there is some chatter that the Cubs might give him a look if/when Kevin Gregg is moved at the deadline. Additionally, Jose Cano showed some velocity and although he last pitched in 1989 for the Astros, there were whispers at Citi Field that a return to Houston is imminent for Robinson Cano’s father.
• If Mark Melancon makes another All-Star game, I’m betting he’ll arrive to his destination differently than this time, in a minivan. Ever since making a few mechanical adjustments last year, Melancon has been pretty terrific culminating in a terrific 0.81/1.62/2.05 ERA/FIP/xFIP line. Melancon strikes out a solid amount of batters (27.1%) without walking a soul (2.4%) and is deserving of Jeff Locke’s replacement, even if it’s Jason Grilli who gets all the saves in Pittsburgh. We’re accustomed to thinking of Pittsburgh as having relievers on the trading block, but leading the Wild Card and very much in the race this year, expect Melancon to continue to be a relief ace racking up holds for the Pirates.
• Tim Lincecum just threw a no-hitter, so naturally he’s now being talked about in trades as a reliever. Timmy might no longer be considered a Cy Young contender but he still has a 3.25 xFIP this year and I doubt there are many teams that have five better options than him in the rotation. Also, while Timmy showed he can be a pretty darn effective reliever last year in the postseason, I bet there are several other starting pitchers that would be great in relief that would cost less to acquire (in terms of money and prospects) than Lincecum. Still, if the Giants decide to be a seller (6.5 games back) Lincecum would help a contender in whatever role he’s in.
• Joe Frisaro reports that the Marlins aren’t likely to make any major moves as Giancarlo Stanton, Logan Morrison, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn are considered building blocks for the fish. While I would question throwing Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn in the same group as Stanton as a “building block” both relievers are under team control next year and there is no rush to make a move. With that said, I’d expect Cishek to remain closing for the Marlins this year. He’s not exciting but saves are saves are saves and Cishek could be acquired on the cheap in fantasy even if he’s more expensive in real life.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
When he's not focusing on every team's bullpen situation, Ben can be found blogging at Ben's Baseball Bias and on Twitter @BensBias
Bruce Rondon has worked his way ahead of Alburqueque and would probably find himself in some save situations along with Smyly should anything happen to Benoit. In Rondon’s last last 6 innings he has a 1.00 whip with 6 strike outs compared to Al Als last 3.1 innings giving up 10 hits 3 walks and 9 earned withs 4Ks.
Soria has pitched the 8th, in a hold situation, in all 3 games he’s appeared in. I’d move him up to first chair. I’d also think Cody Allen has taken the second chair from Pestano.
Francona said last week, and it was evident in the usage, that Joe Smith and Allen are both ahead of Pestano at the current time. With CP “unavailable” Friday night, and with Pestano and Allen both ready, Allen got the call for the Save… Maybe the break, and rest does Pestano some good, but not likely.
Why the flip flop between Oliver Perez and Medina?
Smaller platoon splits, better ERA predictors, and higher leverage usage for Perez.
Punting saves in a league that counts holds, but really need Ws, Ks, ERA and WHIP. Storen or Soria RoS?
Oh this is a good, tough question.
Both are pretty solid options but not without their warts. He’s only thrown a few innings this year but I might just take a flier on Soria as he probably has a higher ceiling.
Betancourt just became a free agent in my SV+HD league, and I’m debating dropping Gregg or Bailey. Gregg is the closer, but he’s been shaky and may get traded, and also he’s Kevin Gregg. Bailey has been pitching well, but may not become the closer. What would you do?
Assuming saves are more valuable for your league and your team, I’d take Betancourt there. He’s closing at the moment a better pitcher/less likey to be traded than Gregg.
I don’t think Bailey will close unless Uehara falters. That said, as of now he’s the #2 guy for one of the best teams in baseball, he’ll get a few saves to spell Uehara, and if he stays healthy may close at some point. Meanwhile, it makes no sense for Theo to keep Gregg. The only question is if Gregg can keep from turning back into a pumpkin before Theo can find a buyer.
would bet clippard is ahead of storen and hochevar may be ahead of everyone in the kc pen behind holland.