Bullpen Report: June 1, 2013
Just a few bullpen notes from this evening…
Huston Street embarked on his annual journey to the disabled list today, and for the second time in two years, his left calf appears to be the culprit. Prior to hitting the shelf, Street converted 11-of-12 save chances with a 4.43 ERA (7.44 FIP) and a 1.63 K/BB in 21 appearances. But despite the successful save conversion rate, the veteran closer is failing to miss bats (8.6% SwStr%) like he’s been able to in the past (13.4% career SwStr%). Bud Black indicated that both Luke Gregerson and Dale Thayer would close games in Street’s absence, but tonight, Thayer took the hill with two out in the seventh while Gregerson earned the call in the ninth. Gregerson surrendered three hits and one earned run during his first save opportunity this season, but in the end, notched the saves. Gregerson should be considered in all relevant formats for those chasing saves.
Rafael Betancourt also landed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday due to a nagging groin injury. In his stead, manager Walt Weiss will look for left-hander Rex Brothers in the ninth frame in save situations. Admittedly, I initially anointed Wilton Lopez as the heir apparent to Betancourt based on his previous experience in Houston — and to a lesser extent, the fact that Brothers is a southpaw — but, the lefty’s 0.38 ERA proved to be too good to pass up. Like Gregerson, Brothers should be an immediate target for those in need of saves.
Francisco Rodriguez locked down his third save of the twenty-thirteen campaign this evening — the 240th of his career — as the Brewers clipped the Phillies, 4-3. K-Rod yielded a leadoff longball to Freddy Galvis, but pulled a few rabbits out of his hat to walk off the diamond with a handshake. With Jim Henderson reportedly out “a while,” Rodriguez deserves to be owned in more than just 37% of Yahoo leagues.
Greg Holland (9), Jose Veras (10) and Aroldis Chapman (14) each tallied saves tonight while Tom Wilhelmsen blew his second save chance of his last five outings.
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.
In what order would you want: Bailey, Pestano, Gregerson. Is that right? 10-team with K/9 instead of Ks and QS instead of Wins
I would say Bailey, Gregerson and then Pestano.
Bailey, as long as he is healthy, has the job pretty much locked up. The other two guys are fill-ins until Street and Perez get back. I just like Gregerson better than Pestano, who even though his velocity has jumped back up some is still a question mark in my eyes.
Plus, I think the odds of Street having a series of setbacks is higher than it is with Perez. This same injury kept Street out the last two months of 2012. So Gregerson might have a better chance of holding the job longer.
I keep thinking the trade market for closers is going to be non-existent beyond San Diego. Does that sound right?
that sounds completely wrong, to me… there are 2 more months to trade… Det, Cle, Stl, Ari, Col are already on their second or third options… an injury could leave most of the others scrambling… & every year some teams shore up the bullpen, so I expect at least a couple of the following players to change teams…
Carlos Marmol, Kevin Gregg, Jesse Crain, Matt Thornton, Chris Perez, Vinny Pestano, Mike Dunn, Jose Veras, Greg Holland, Kenley Jansen, Javy Guerra, Brandon League, Jim Henderson, Francisco Rodriguez, Glen Perkins, Bobby Parnell, Fran Francisco, Jonathan Papelbon, Gregorson, Dale Thayer, Tom Wilhelmson, Casey Janssen…
Hate to say it because I own Hernandez, but Heath Bell is equally as “green” as Pestano.
Would you rather have Brothers than Veras or K-Rod? Henderson will probably be out a bit longer than Beatencourt but that’s not clear. And Veras has job security but isn’t as sexy as Brothers.
This really has to be the end for Brandon League. 5.31 ERA, 10K/5BB, and 1.38 WHIP v. Kenley Jansen’s 3.04 ERA, 37K/6BB, and 1.05 WHIP? How much is Ned Colletti influencing what Don Mattingly does? I understand the concept of using your best pitcher against the situation, but if the bottom of the order was up in the 8th, would Mattingly use Jansen if League had to face CarGo, Tulo, and Cuddyer in the 9th?
I know! League has been red for a month. Doesn’t Mattingly read Bullpen Report?
The bullpen mess is the exact reason why Mattingly should lose his job. People say the manager doesn’t hit or play defense but you know what? The manager does stubbornly continue to trot out a sub-par Closer when he has a better option in Jansen. Not only does Mattingly continue to use League because of his contract, but he also misuses Jansen — sometimes bringing him in for the 7th and pulling him in the 8th. It’s sad to watch really. I have learned to turn off the Dodgers game when they have the lead in the 7th.
FAAB question. How many $ to bid on Gregerson, with a $260 budget, and as a Street owner? Thanks! (I’m thinking $15-20)