Bullpen Report: July 30, 2019

In what feels like the calm before the storm one day prior to the trade deadline, not one of the seven games on Monday night ended with a save. However, with so many teams searching for bullpen help this article will focus on some of the key points leading up to the deadline. Starting in Washington, the Nationals relief corps yielded a run for the eighth time over the last 11 games and it was the closer who served it up. Sean Doolittle allowed a solo home run to Charlie Culberson in the ninth inning working with a four run lead. It’s merely a blip for Doolittle. He’s converted his last four save chances and surged to a 1.80 ERA and 1.1 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against one walk in 10 innings during July. And his sense of humor never disappoints:

"Was that up?" –@whatwouldDOOdo pic.twitter.com/cHLK5dcxER

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 30, 2019

If the Nationals hope to make a deep run in the playoffs, they will need to add to the high leverage bridge providing depth so Doolittle does not need to work in games like last night. As for their opponent, Atlanta also needs to gear up for the last two months searching for bullpen help. Chad Sobotka entered with two runners on and one out, taking over for Dallas Keuchel in the sixth inning. Sobotka struck out Trea Turner then walked Adam Eaton setting up bases loaded with two outs against Anthony Rendon, which proved to be less than optimal:

Anthony Rendon just unloaded the bases 💥 pic.twitter.com/QYyjASALnH

— ESPN (@espn) July 30, 2019

Which led to this tweet by Braves beat writer David O’Brien:

Rendon grand slam off Sobotka with 2 out in the 6th inning. #Braves trail 6-2.

Braves need to add a reliever by Wednesday.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 30, 2019

It may not be a priority as a later tweet will explore for Atlanta, but ignoring an arm for the bullpen could be a mistake. Yes, Jacob Webb will return soon from his rehab assignment but a veteran arm would help stabilize this unit.

As Al Melchior alluded to in yesterday’s Bullpen Report, Miami’s bullpen will morph into a match-ups based unit without a said closer. Last night, Nick Anderson recorded the last out via strikeout stranding two runners with a five run lead. He also worked the eighth inning on Sunday facing the top of the Arizona lineup. Both Tayron Guerrero and Adam Conley allowed an earned run during their outings Monday night.

With the news of Greg Holland no longer closing games for the Diamondbacks, he continued his struggles imploding last night. Holland yielded three hits, four earned runs and a walk in one-third of an inning with the wheels coming off the bus opening the seventh inning in Miami. It’s been a rough July for Holland during which he’s allowed 10 earned runs over 6.2 innings spanning 10 appearances with nine walks and eight strikeouts resulting in a 13.50 ERA and WHIP of three. It remains to be seen who will get the first save chance for Arizona but it could be one of Yoan Lopez, Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano. Stay tuned.

Toronto held a one run lead heading to the bottom of the eighth in Kansas City, but this tweet will not warm the hearts of Ken Giles owners:

Another save situation looms for #BlueJays B9 and no Ken Giles. Daniel Hudson is warming in the bullpen instead with a 4-3 lead over #Royals T9

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 30, 2019

Since the Blue Jays tacked on three runs in the top of the ninth, the save chance subsided leading to Derek Law working in a non-save appearance. However, with teams circling this bullpen for veteran relievers prior to Wednesday’s trade deadline, will a team give up a top prospect for Giles if he’s damaged goods?

The #BlueJays still have multiple relievers to trade (Giles, Hudson, Biagini, could even move Sanchez as a bullpen weapon) and lots of interest.

Teams that scouted them over the weekend: #Yankees, #Cubs, #Padres, #Braves, #Nationals

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 29, 2019

Time will tell, but with up to three relievers on the block, will this thrust Justin Shafer or David Phelps into save opportunities going forward in Toronto?

Working with a five run lead, Shane Greene walked one while striking out two in a scoreless ninth. He’s also due to be traded despite not recording a save since June 29th. In July, Greene owns a 2.57 ERA with a WHIP of one and a 11:3 K:BB over seven innings. He would slot well as a setup reliever and occasional closer on a contender. Joe Jimenez pitched the eighth inning and seems like the first option to close after Greene moves on. With no walks allowed over 9.1 innings in July, Jimenez seems to be making strides with a 0.86 WHIP and 11 strikeouts. But, his 4.82 ERA and 3.40 xFIP set up a sliding scale of expectations with him in the ninth inning. It could be a bumpy ride. Keep tabs on Buck Farmer. He’s in the midst of a nine game scoreless streak spanning 7.2 innings. In July, Farmer’s worked 11.2 innings with a 14:3 K:BB, 1.54 ERA, 3.21 xFIP and 1.03 WHIP.

For the Angels, another rough outing for Ty Buttrey giving up two hits, three earned runs and two walks with two strikeouts in the eighth inning.

#Tigers have loaded the bases against #Angels reliever Ty Buttrey with no outs in the eighth on a 1B by Mercer and walks to Jones and Goodrum. Miguel Cabrera then grounds two-run 1B through drawn-in INF for 5-2 lead. Buttrey has given up runs in three straight appearances.

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) July 30, 2019

A wild pitch let the third run score by Buttrey but he’s allowed seven earned runs his last 2.1 innings moving his ERA to 7.94 in 11.1 innings in July. Last, but not least, Andres Munoz of the Padres worked 1.2 scoreless yielding two hits with two strikeouts for his first hold. No word on how San Diego will handle the trade deadline, but with Jose Castillo on rehab assignment and Munoz continuing to work his way into high leverage, this bullpen’s future remains bright.

There will be no quick hits due to the dearth of action Monday night. However, here’s some tweets of interest with the trade deadline one sleep away from passing.

Based on conversations today, it seems as though the Red Sox, Nationals, Dodgers and Cubs are the most aggressive teams out there looking for bullpen help. The Braves are, too, though an outfielder currently appears to be Atlanta's top priority.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2019

If Boston makes a splash by adding say, Edwin Diaz, it affects two teams closing situations. Seth Lugo makes for an intriguing stash in leagues with New York floating Diaz in trade talks. It will also affect the current closer on a team where a closer makes his new home. Pittsburgh faces a tough decision on what to do with its closer as well. This tweet suggests a window closed, but things change quickly in trade talks:

The Pirates-Dodgers talks about Felipe Vazquez currently bogged down in part because Pirates want No.1 prospect Gavin Lux and the Dodgers want to keep him.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 29, 2019

As for the Phillies, some bad news but it also signals more high leverage events for Nick Pivetta going forward:

It's sounding less and less likely that David Robertson rejoins the #Phillies bullpen, but Klentak said while they will look for bullpen help, Pivetta could fill eighth-inning role. "I don’t want to overstate what we saw in this most recent 2 outings, but goddamn he looked good."

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 29, 2019

It’s going to be a wild finish so be sure to check back on Fangraphs to digest all the trade updates with fantasy ramifications as well. Here’s hoping the never ending chase for saves receives some clarity in the next 24 hours. Other pitchers who could be moved include and not mentioned above: Ian Kennedy, Alex Colome, Raisel Iglesias and Kirby Yates.