Bullpen Report: July 2, 2013
Apologies for the belated and brief BR this evening morning.
• Mariano Rivera recorded a one-out save, his 27th of the year. In more interesting news, the Twins gave Mo a the “Chair of Broken Dreams” as he played his final game in Minnesota in his swan song year.
• Chris Perez notched his 8th save of the season last night and his second since returning from the DL. Perez averaged over 92 mph on his fastball last night and had a max speed of 94 mph. It’s important to track because as Eno mentioned, “consistency of velocity” is an important thing to look at when evaluating a pitcher’s health. Although that velocity is somewhat in line with what he was throwing this season, it’s down from where Perez was in 2012. We’ll be sure to track Perez’ velo as he continues to throw but for now he’s closing in Cleveland but Vinnie Pestano could certainly stay on your radar.
• Speaking of velocity, J.J. Putz is still struggling to gain arm strength on his return from the DL and Heath Bell will now receive at least the next save opportunity for the Dbacks. When Putz blew the save on Monday, I wrongly said he would hold onto the job in the meantime, but with arm strength a concern Heath Bell is a must own in fantasy leagues. He hasn’t been a pillar of stability himself but he’s healthy and actually owns the best xFIP between Putz, himself and David Hernandez.
• It’s not exactly clear who is closing for Seattle as they haven’t had too many save opportunities of late, but Tom Wilhelmsen is starting to pitch well of late. After pitching a scoreless ninth in a non-save situation last night, Wilhelmsen has been scoreless in his last four appearances without issuing a walk in 3.2 innings. Yoervis Medina and Oliver Perez might see the next chance but according to manager Eric Wedge, Wilhelmsen could be close to regaining the job.
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
Just traded mujica for armram in a 12 team standard. My team’s closers are kimbrel, jensen, janssen, uehara, and parnell, while my third basemen consist of Headley and the hurt gyorko. Did I get enough for mujica, and should I drop Headley
Yawn.
Thank you for your time.
Would you guys recommend dropping Francisco Rodriguez for Heath Bell? Better long term value for Bell?
I’d do it. I’d still be looking for better options out there
I mean, I have five closers now but I heard that K-rod might get traded soon and might not close on his new team. Bad logic on my part, Name?
@Brian Yeah, in a couple months, maybe even a couple weeks, K-Rod probably won’t be worth a roster spot, but heath bell I imagine, hasn’t been exactly helping your team’s rates. Closers come and go pretty easily, and I think right now, K-Rod is a better option than Bell. He does have the problem of being on a crappy team, so if you’re really desperate for saves then maybe he isn’t the best option.
I don’t think Bell has too much value regardless of present or future, unless you’re desperate for saves of course.
Any idea what’s going on in Milwaukee’s pen? I believe Henderson pitched the 7th. Is he out as closer?
I read that he would be seeing action in lower leverage and set up situations and K-Rod would be closing. As a Henderson owner I’m not happy, but maybe they’ll trade K-Rod before the deadline.
I watched K-Rod in the Brewers-Nats game last night and I was stunned at how wild he was. He worked out of a jam and closed the game out, but the catcher had to save him from several wild pitches. And his release point didn’t look consistent. I came away with the impression that he’s maintaining his velocity by seriously overthrowing.
Glad I used my waiver status on Henderson while on vaca and unable to do thorough research. Thanks Rotowire!
I know neither is an elite option, but who would you rather own the ROS, Bell or Whilehelmson?
Wilhelmsen, but what do I know
A friend of mine and I play an office game where we pick between two options – would you rather, um, be intimate friends with Person X and Person Y or just Person Z? When the options are too terrible to choose, the appropriate response is “Gun.” I think that’s where you’re at, my friend.
Wilhelmson, not close IMHO
“It’s not exactly clear who is closing for Seattle as they haven’t had too many save opportunities of late, but Tom Wilhelmsen is starting to pitch well of late.”
of late of late
What. A. Dick.
The Internet:
Crowdsourcing editing for an article written without formal editing and under time constraints = Bad.
Being flippant and asinine toward someone politely pointing out a mistake = Good.
Better add for Spec Saves later this season: Yoervis Medina from Sea or Blake Parker from the Cubs?
I would go Parker, only because I think his path to the job is easier. I doubt the Cubs will go with Russell as the closer once Gregg is gone and Seattle appears determined to get the bartender back to the closers role.
I just traded for Henderson, starting to mount my “giant comeback from behind in the saves department because I’m comfortably ahead in wins and k’s” and pretty pissed off about him not closing, though heartened by the talk surrounding K-Rod being traded. I also own Kevin Gregg who reports say will “definitely be traded”. Some jackass already picked up Blake Parker, but is it worth it to drop Henderson for James Russell?
I’d keep Henderson