Bullpen Report: July 19, 2014
The Bullpen Report team welcomes you back from a much needed All-Star Break rest. While there are lots of news and notes that could be covered, tonight I’ll hit you with what appears to be the most essential tidbits. However, if by chance there’s something I missed that you feel should’ve been addressed, please just drop a line in the comments below.
While we were away, the San Diego Padres shipped All-Star closer Huston Street up the 5 freeway to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for a handful of Halos’ prospects. The addition of Huston Street parlayed with the recent acquisitions of Jason Grilli and Joe Thatcher, should bolster an Angels’ bullpen that ranked 21st in the majors with a 3.75 ERA (3.90 FIP). Street will likely take on the ninth-inning for Mike Scioscia’s bullpen, sending Joe Smith back into the eighth-inning setup role. Not a bad problem to have for the Angels as long as both hurlers continue shoving.
Prior to packing his bags for his fourth professional team, Street notched 24 saves in 25 chances with a 1.09 ERA (2.90 FIP) for the Padres. He induced swinging strikes at a 13% clip and boasts a 28.1% K%, both right in line with career averages. He’s been more effective versus right-handed bats (.188 wOBA against) on the season, but a .240 wOBA against left-handed bats is nothing to warrant shuffling closers in matchup situations (Smith owns a .182 wOBA against RHB, .285 wOBA against LHB), unless maybe Street struggles adjusting back to the American League West. But don’t count on it. Street owners will continue to get saves, but Smith owners could send him to the waiver wire if a roster spot is needed.
Back in San Diego, 36-year-old Joaquin Benoit will attempt to fill Street’s spikes. Benoit has 38 career saves under his belt, 24 of which came last season (‘13) with the Tigers in 26 chances. He owns a 2.04 ERA (2.63 FIP) and a strikeout rate north of 30% in 39 appearances so far this year, so he’s the obvious short-term add for those chasing saves. But how long will the veteran right-hander be stationed in San Diego? Rumors suggest that he too could be on the move to a contender before the trade deadline. Lord knows his former employer could use him back, but more on that later. If by chance the Friars ship Benoit out as well, Dale Thayer and his nine career saves could see some ninth-inning action. Kevin Quackenbush and Nick Vincent could also see some save chances in Benoit’s absence.
The mess that is the Tigers’ bullpen failed to get any clearer this evening. Joe Nathan took to the bump in the top of the ninth of a non-save situation and yielded three earned runs on two hits and two walks to take his third loss of the season. The three earned runs were nearly four, as the three-run double off the bat of Carlos Santana just missed being a grand slam. Nathan (4-3) is just 19-of-24 in save chances this season with a 6.23 ERA (3.91 xFIP). Versus his career numbers, velocity is down, swinging strikes are down (9.3% SwStr%), strikeouts are down (23% K%), ERA is up (6.23) and walks are up, a bit (9.2% BB%). The Tigers need to take a page out of the Angels book and go acquire themselves some bullpen help. Joba Chamberlain is probably the next best thing for fantasy baseball owners in the Tigers’ pen and should see an increase in ownership percentage in your leagues
Trevor Rosenthal (30), Jonathan Papelbon (23), Koji Uehara (20) and Cody Allen (13) each notched saves today.
Quick Hits: Aaron Loup notched his third save of the year for the Blue Jays in a 4-1 victory over the Rangers. Loup earned the look in the ninth with Casey Janssen unavailable. Janssen was sidelined on Saturday with a stomach virus following a trip to the Dominican Republic over the All-Star Break. Zach Britton picked up his 16th save of the 2014 season in one-third of an inning on just six pitches today. Jake McGee fanned one in two-thirds-of-an-inning en route to his 8th save of the season. Jake Pericka started the ninth for the White Sox, but Zack Putnam got the nod with two down to finish off the Astros and earn his third save of ‘14. Sergio Romo served up two earned runs on two hits, including a tater to Giancarlo Stanton, in a non-save situation against the Marlins. Santiago Casilla cleaned up the mess for his fifth save of the year.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
In addition to contributing to the RotoGraphs blog, you can find Alan at his own site, TheFantasyFix.com and follow his nonsense on Twitter @TheFantasyFix.
Wasn’t Jason frasor traded to the Royals earlier this week?
Will be fixed for tonight, thanks.
Why is Sergio Santos still listed as the number 2 man in Toronto? He’s a forgotten man in that bullpen. Aaron Loup and Dustin McGowan have long since surpassed him.
What is happening in the White Sox Bullpen? Putnam shuts it down last night. Petricka opens the 9th tonight and Putnam shuts it down for the last out. Is this still a committee or is Putnam becoming the guy?
I say committee until they find out which crappy pitcher becomes useable.
I don’t think anyone (including the manager) knows what’s going on with the White Sox. Petricka got the last save before the break with Putnam pitching in the 6th! Last night it seems like they were calling on Petricka but he got in trouble.
I picked up Putnam to see what happens but I immediately had to take a shower afterward.
Ha!
Putnam is the head of the committee. He is probably the guy to own if you need saves right now since he should get most of the chances, but I would have to be pretty desperate to own him since he really isn’t a very good pitcher and Ventura seems to just be trying to wait it out until Nate Jones or Lindstrom come back from injuries in August.
I am wondering the same thing about Jones and Lindstrom. Ventura won’t let anyone really run with it so he can give it away easier.
Probably safe to move McGee and Casilla to yellow. Casilla has been very good since taking over and Romo has continued his struggles. He is quickly losing any chance he had of quickly taking back the job. McGee is still somewhat in a committee, but his usage lately seems to indicate that Maddon has thrown his trust behind him even if he doesn’t have the official title.
Agree on the changes to yellow. Should be reflected for tonight.
If you had Doolittle, Soria, Allen, and Melancon but could only keep three, which one would you trade?
ROS I’d be trying to trade Soria. He’s rumored to be traded to the Tigers or elsewhere (where he would go back to a setup man). Plus even if he stays the Rangers are a last place team with few save opportunities.
I’m not sure Soria would be a setup man in Detroit, at this point it seems clear the Tigers may not like any of their internal options more than Joe Nathan, but I have to believe with the way he is pitching if Soria, Benoit or Papelbon were to be traded to Detroit they would have a great chance at taking over the role.
That said, Soria probably would be the guy I would cut out of those options. Doolittle and Allen are dominant and I think Melancon has the job the rest of the way. I was a little nervous about Melancon when the Huston Street rumors started up, but now that he isnt an option for Pittsburgh I dont see them getting anything more than middle relief for their bullpen at the deadline. Melancon and Soria is pretty much a push in my eyes with Melancon getting the nod because his role is so much safer.
Soria, Melancon in that order.
Soria for me. Good chance he’s on the move and I’d rather get something in return for him now with his future role in doubt.
Like everyone else, I’ve been thinking Soria. Planned to deal him before the rumors started because I thought he would bring a better return than Melancon. Now I’m afraid the rumors will kill his value, and I wonder if I should hold Soria, cross my fingers, and take a better return from Melancon. Maybe I’ll keep looking for the owner who doesn’t believe the rumors…
Who takes over in Texas if soria traded?
Neftali Feliz. I dont see anybody besides Feliz getting first crack at the job.
It’s Feliz
I’ve got an offer of trading away Arismendy Alcántara for Jake McGee. On the plus side Scooter Gennett is still out there as a replacement, plus I’m getting spooked by Javier Baez switching to 2B in the minors. On the other hand, he’s been so good with homeruns and sbs, I’d almost like to just ride the wave. Thoughts?
I would probably take McGee if you need the saves/ratio help. Alcántara still is at some risk for being demoted to learn CF in the minors, especially if he hits a cool stretch, I could see the Cubs sending him down again. Plus, Gennett should put up solid numbers the rest of the way so I dont think you would be losing out much, if anything, by trading away Alcantara.
Hold Arismendy unless you are desperate for saves. Offer him Scooter.
Why not just offer him nothing. Same thing as scooter.
That just shows you don’t know what you’re talking about.
I play in a holds league and have to drop one of these guys to add a player back from the DL. Which guy should I cut of these:
Tazawa, Boxberger, Familia, or N. Ramirez.
I have Mejia and McGee on my roster if that matters.
Thanks
Boxberger probably is the least secure to consistently get holds. All those other guys are pretty much the main set up man for their respective teams. Boxberger is fighting for that role with Peralta and Balfour.
Boxberger
Jason Frasor doesn’t play for the Texas Rangers.
Surprised not to see even a brief Huston Street trade analysis on FG anywhere… unless I’m just not finding it…