Bullpen Report: June 9, 2014

Colin did  a great analysis of the Rays bullpen situation after Grant Balfour’s meltdown last night and the Rays are now looking at a bullpen by committee approach for the near future. Madden wants Balfour to regain the job but his problems might run deeper than anything a few days removed from the ninth inning can solve. For now I’d expect Joel Peralta, Jake McGee and Juan Oviedo to see the first chances with Brad Boxberger (12.63 K/9, 2.47 SIERA xFIP) as a potential sleeper. Balfour isn’t injured or on the DL but I’ll place him there on the grid for the time being as he lingers in the background.

Casey Janssen picked up the classic no, no, no, yes! blown save into a win today against the Twins. Janssen returned from injury right around when Toronto started winning every game and he’s a solid 11/13 on saves with a 1.49/1.89/3.45 ERA/FIP/xFIP line on the year. Janssen’s ERA won’t stay that shiny all season long but given his performance since regaining the closing gig and the mess that was there before him, he should have a long leash. As closer on one of the better teams in the league he should also continue to rack up the save totals.

• As Dave mentioned today, Fernando Rodney is one of the few “proven closers”  acquired this offseason that hasn’t been a disaster. Rodney continued his non-disaster ways this afternoon launching his 18th arrow in the air in a perfect ninth inning. Rodney’s 2012 overall season and walk rate is looking like an outlier but he’s still been effective this year converting 18 of 20 save opportunities with a 2.19 ERA and 2.84 SIERA with over a strikeout an inning. With the ninth inning firmly in Rodney’s hands of more interest in the Seattle bullpen might be Dominic Leone who recorded two outs today for his fifth hold of the year. Leone can miss bats (31 strikeouts in 26.2 IP) and has pitched to a 1.35 ERA and 2.66 SIERA, which could help those in  need of a ratio boost in a deep AL-Only league and/or holds league.

Tommy Hunter is off of the DL and although he hasn’t been anointed the closer, he threw a perfect ninth inning today with a four run lead. Zach Britton has been solid all year in general (3 ER in 32.2 IP) and in the closer chair, so no change is likely to occurr so long as that continues but more appearances like this from Hunter could get him knocking on that door.

Closer Grid:

Closer First Second DL/Minors
Arizona Addison Reed Brad Ziegler Oliver Perez J.J. Putz
Atlanta Craig Kimbrel David Carpenter Luis Avilan Jordan Walden
Baltimore Zach Britton Tommy Hunter Darren O’Day
Boston Koji Uehara Junichi Tazawa Andrew Miller
CHI (NL) Hector Rondon Neil Ramirez Pedro Strop
CHI (AL) Ronald Belisario Zach Putnam Jacob Petricka Matt Lindstrom
Cincy Aroldis Chapman Jonathan Broxton Sam LeCure
Cleveland Cody Allen Bryan Shaw John Axford
Colorado LaTroy Hawkins Adam Ottavino Rex Brothers
Detroit Joe Nathan Joba Chamberlain Al Alburquerque Joel Hanrahan
Houston Chad Qualls Kyle Farnsworth Josh Fields Jesse Crain
KC Greg Holland Wade Davis Aaron Crow
LAA Ernesto Frieri Joe Smith Michael Kohn Dane de la Rosa
LAD Kenley Jansen Chris Perez Brian Wilson
Miami Steve Cishek A.J. Ramos Mike Dunn
Milwaukee Francisco Rodriguez Will Smith Brandon Kintzler Jim Henderson
Minnesota Glen Perkins Jared Burton Casey Fien
NY (NL) Jenrry Mejia Jeurys Familia Vic Black Bobby Parnell
NY (AL) David Robertson Dellin Betances Adam Warren Shawn Kelley
Oakland Sean Doolittle Luke Gregerson Jim Johnson
Philly Jonathan Papelbon Antonio Bastardo Jake Diekman Mike Adams
Pittsburgh Jason Grilli Mark Melancon Tony Watson
St. Louis Trevor Rosenthal Carlos Martinez Jason Motte
SD Huston Street Joaquin Benoit Alex Torres
SF Sergio Romo Jeremy Affeldt Jean Machi Santiago Casilla
Seattle Fernando Rodney Danny Farquhar Dominic Leone
TB Jake McGee Joel Peralta Juan Oviedo Grant Balfour
Texas Joakim Soria Jason Frasor Neal Cotts/a> Neftali Feliz
Toronto Casey Janssen Brett Cecil Steve Delabar Sergio Santos
Wash. Rafael Soriano Tyler Clippard Drew Storen

[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

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Tim
9 years ago

Thoughts on Kirby Yates as a potential sleeper in the Ray’s bullpen?

Cuck City
9 years ago
Reply to  Tim

Just no

The Flaming FIPs
9 years ago
Reply to  Cuck City

OK? Care to explain? His minor league numbers look good.

The Flaming FIPs
9 years ago

I thought he was younger than that for some reason. Thanks.