Bullpen Report: June 5, 2013
• Downright “weird baseball” outing from Addison Reed today. Robin Ventura held him as closer-in-reserve as a scoreless game ticked into the 11th, the 12th, the 13th… well, you get the picture. Finally the White Sox broke through in the 14th… for five runs. OK, not exactly a save situation, but Reed was pretty much the last guy in the pen so he might as well come in to finish the game, right? Yes, but Reed proceeded to implode and… give all five runs back (the last four coming on a granny from Kyle Seager). Because Reed was the last man standing, he pitched the 15th and had to save his own win in the 16th after the White Sox went ahead again. His line? 3 IP, 5 ER, W. Wow. Reed tossed 55 pitches and is certain to be unavailable tomorrow, and possibly Friday as well. I’m betting on Matt Thornton (20 pitches today) for the save situation tomorrow if one should arise.
Ironically, Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen had the day off after working five of the last seven games, so he’s one of the few relievers from this game ready for the M’s tilt tomorrow night against the Yankees.
• Fernando Rodney may have climbed a couple notches back up the rope the last week or so, but I’m not ready give him the green light yet. He continues to struggle with free passes, and again frustrated Rays fans by walking the leadoff batter tonight. Before all was said and done, the tying run was at the plate in the easiest of save situations (3-0). Rodney’s 18% BB% is ugly and unless his K% is 50%, there is little chance he’ll be an effective (let alone elite) reliever with that rate. His SwStr% and velocity are right where they were last year, so if he starts finding the plate, I’ll quickly jump back on the bandwagon, but I need to see him throw a few strikes first.
• Few tidbits on the transaction front. Kelvin Herrera is back. Kansas City’s hard throwing setup man worked scoreless innings in AAA, striking out one-third of his 18 batters. Unfortunately, his control issues may not be 100% behind him; he still handed out three free passes. Regardless, he has a live arm and I’d still gamble on him in holds leagues; the ERA/WHIP may be an adventure, but he has elite stuff if he’s throwing (at least some) strikes. Scott Elbert’s lost season is officially over. The lefty had to deal with a couple offseason elbow surgeries but appeared to be on the road back to the majors a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, after a latest setback, the team announced he’ll undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of this season and likely a large chunk of next. He wasn’t near any fantasy rosters, but still a bummer for the 27-year-old.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
There are few things Colin loves more in life than a pitcher with a single-digit BB%. Find him on Twitter @soxczar.
Any thoughts on the potential drug crime situation with Chris Perez? Assuming he has to miss significant time – probably unlikely, but let’s just go with it here – would Pestano or someone else have the most value as a replacement?
They showed faith in Pestano when Perez hit the DL… I think it would be his to lose.
I know he just came off the DL, but Josh Fields is ahead of Wesley Wright in the high-leverage pecking order and he’s already pushing Ambriz. I’d call him a lock to end the season as the Astros’ 8th inning guy and I’d give him a 35% shot at the closer gig.
Already feel like an ass for calling him a “lock” for the 8th inning gig. A closer look reveals he’s had major command issues in the past, although he seemed to figure it out last season. I know he was the closer for a College World Series team, that they nabbed him in the supplemental draft, that he had some eye-popping numbers last season, and that Houston put him in the other day against Trout and Pujols in the 8th inning of a tight game. I’ll pull back a bit and just say I think they’re going to give him every opportunity to run with the 8th, and soon.
Yeah; this Chris Perez story is wild. He can’t possibly be stupid enough to order pot through the mail, or get delivery mailed to him. Or for any other substance for that matter. I mean he does have a shoulder issue and maybe marijuania makes it feel better. Medical marijuania! I just can’t believe he is this dumb, and even if this is all true…..and it’s pot…..is it really that a big deal if he bought it for his personal use ONLY? Or his wife smokes pot? Yes, lots of ladies smoke the green stuff.
Well, guess we’ll find out more in the coming days.
Is Cishek really still the closer? That’s shocking!
Well, it’s not like the Marlins have that many options out there. and Cishek was pretty effective last year.
The Marlins don’t really care about the closer because they’re too busy trying to figure out how to get a lead in the first 8 innings, anyway. It’s been a difficult process…
Chris Perez isn’t that dumb. The story was overblown by a twitter report.
A package was delivered to the apartment where Chris lives, not to Chris. The police have already said Perez is not under suspicion at all.
And it’s marijuana folks. Really, so what? Prescription pain pills and alcohol are more detrimental to society and one’s psychological well-being, but if Chris Perez is popping oxy or a heavy drinker … no big deal.
But if there’s marijuana … omg, that’s somehow huge news.
Grow up people.
Right on Man! (In my Cheech voice)
Colin, just wanted to say thank you for your work on the Bullpen Report. Most days I wake up, grab a cup of coffee, and read your daily post at oh-dark-thirty. It is consistently entertaining and well-informed. I’m sure a “thank you” doesn’t amount to much when you’re raking in those big Fangraphs dollars, but still. Please keep it up!
Geez; how much does fangraphs pay? Where can I apply?
Thanks, JTS. Glad you enjoy reading my mediocre bullpen analysis and bad cultural references!
As far as the big FG dollars, let’s just say last week I wrecked my Bentley while Kate Upton and I were running away from Justin Verlander because I was on my cell trying to get my broker to dump my 37% stake in AAPL.
What’s ironic about Wilhelmsen having the day off? It’s not like he found a black fly in his chardonnay or it rained on his wedding day or something.