Bullpen Report: June 5, 2014
• Vic Black figured to be a fixture in the late innings for the Mets this year and although he gave up a solo shot tonight he’s starting to work his way there. On the season Black has thrown 7.2 innings with 12 strikeouts against five walks with a 1.17/3.58/2.23 ERA/FIP/xFIP. Obviously it’s a small sample size but if he can keep his walks in check while getting whiffs he could start seeing higher leverage innings in Queens. Meanwhile Jenrry Mejia had a forgettable evening, allowing three base runners and two earned runs, entering the eighth inning down a run to the Cubs. Mejia has been pretty effective during his brief Mets tenure and this one outing shouldn’t have him looking over his shoulder but I’m not yet ready to make him green on the chart below.
• Neil Ramirez picked up his first save of the year tonight against the Mets but that’s only because Rondon had pitched in back to back days. Rondon’s job is secure but this confirms that Ramirez is the next in line for the Cubbies.
• Many people, myself included, recommended keeping an eye on Rafael Soriano‘s handcuffs for saves but Soriano has been fantastic this year, recording his 12th save in 13 tries tonight and now supports a 0.78 ERA. Regression is expected as his xFIP stands at 3.94 but Tyler Clippard and/or Drew Storen’s value is mostly for holds or ratio help as Soriano’s grasp on the job is firm.
• Quick hits: Greg Holland did a Greg Holland thing, striking out three batters for his 17th save of the season. Entering the ninth inning with the bases loaded, Chad Qualls picked up his sixth save of the season. Houston isn’t a great team by any means but they may not be too terrible and Qualls is undoubtedly their ninth inning guy after the committee earlier this year. David Robertson continued his attempt to make New Yorkers forget about Mo, recording his 13th save of the season while striking out two in the process. I was hoping Jake McGee would throw the equivalent of a perfect game in consecutive relief outings but he finally gave up a few hits and earned runs for the Rays tonight but he’s still a relief ace and worthy of being owned in any type of league.
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
Mejia’s last couple outings have been shaky. I agree he probably isnt in danger of losing the gig but it is troubling.
Michael Kohn was optioned out 2 days ago.
Would you drop Ottavino for Black? Ottavino has been shaky lately.
Is Chamberlain not an option? I’d take a look at him in this hypothetical.
Chamberlain grabbed already. 14 team league. Saves are like diamonds.
That one might be a tossup but I think Ottavino plays on a better team and has less to prove at the MLB level at this point.
The whole Rockies bullpen got slaughtered the past couple of days, so I wouldn’t put too much stake in the shakiness.
Not too sure about ol’ Grant Balfour. He’s been pretty damn lousy, and I think the Box dude should be in the first or second convo.
He pitched well in a non-save situation last night and it seems Maddon is pretty set on him. He hasn’t pulled him from the role yet, so it seems he’s willing to let him run with it for now.
Busted David Robertson link in the fourth paragraph …
You must be new around here.
Think of David Roberts like the reliever version of Johan Santa
So excited that Santana is actually coming back! My name will once again be bolded for all to see!
Even in holds leagues, there’s just not any reason to be rostering Brothers anymore, is there?
I have him in a limited transactions league and can’t wait to drop him…
Adam Ottavino has been shaky lately, just when it seemed like he was knocking on the door. Very disappointing.
Why was Mejia in the game in the 8th, down a run, is the question!?!
Probably just to get some work in. He had not pitched since Sunday IIRC.
I think this could use more explanation as to what the colors acually mean other than “volatility”. For example, we all know Belisario will be getting the next save opportunity, and that yeah, one more blowup this weekend, and Rosenthal might not get the following one. So what do the colors then mean?? You get the impression of nothing, really.
Just because you don’t understand, doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense. Belisario was just handed the closers job and has done nothing special to make anyone think he should keep it. Rosenthal has shown himself to be a dominant closers, struggles or not. I do not think Rosenthal is 1 or 2 bad outings from losing the job permanently. A haitus maybe, but not permanently. I would be more concerned about Balfour, but he still has the track record and full managers support. The team signed him for 2 years to be The Closer, so if he comes off green status, someone better have heard something about a demotion.
On a side note, wasn’t Zeid demoted in Houston? Fields has been really great lately and pitching high leverage innings. He deserves a seat back at the table.
Sorry, but this is nonsensical. We don’t interpret stoplights. Red means ‘stop’ whether you feel like it or not, green means ‘go’ and yellow means ‘red real soon’. How you feel about the intersection, traffic, your specific car or your special driving ability means not one blessed thing.
So here does red mean ‘who knows who gets the next save’, ‘Current Guy is one blown save away from losing the job’, ‘I think Current Guy sucks so I’m making him red’, or what? Is Rosenthal green because they’re sure he’s hanging onto the job even if he blows the next couple, they’re sure he’ll quickly get the job back after a week or two, they just think he’s a real good pitcher currently pitching in bad luck, or what? Those are all very, very different and I have no idea what standard they’re using.