Bullpen Report: May 15, 2015
• After some struggles this year, Addison Reed’s (7.20/3.64/4.43 ERA/FIP/xFIP) hold on the closer’s role has loosened. While Chip Hale thinks that Reed will get the job back, he will be used in earlier innings for now as he works through “mechanical changes.” Expect Brad Ziegler to get the first save opportunity that arises, so if he’s available on the wire be sure to get in your claims ASAP. Additionally, Dan Hudson could see some higher leverage work as well with Reed displaced and everyone moving up a step. Hudson is kind of toiling in between relieving and possibly starting but he struggled today, allowing two runs, ballooning his ERA to 6.00. Evan Marshall who figured to play a more prominent role in the pen is now pitching in AAA. Other intriguing names are Randall Delgado who looks a bit better out of the pen and Enrique Burgos, who’s control might prevent him from being trusted much but has massive swing and miss stuff, showing it off today with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Oliver Perez blew the lead and received the loss today, but with his 6.52 ERA he’s still likely more of a LOOGY long term.
• As you all know, Kenley Jansen has been on the shelf all year. Still, as Joel Sherman notes, the Dodgers bullpen has been pretty darn good without their closer. The Dodgers’ bullpen ERA (2.24) is fourth in the majors, they have the highest K/9 (10.44) and the highest WAR total (2.4). Kenley Jansen was activated today which should only strengthen what is already a top pen. While Jansen might be eased back into the role, it will surely be his before too long. If you could buy low-ish on him as an injury risk or not assured the closing gig I would pounce.
• Hector Rondon struck out two batters in the ninth today but allowed a run as well to the Pirates, blowing his second save of the season. With a 2.79 FIP and 2.92 xFIP and 17 strikeouts in as many innings, Rondon’s job is safe and remains a solid second tier closing option. On the Pirates side of things in this game, there was no save opportunity but Mark Melancon pitched around four base runners for two scoreless innings. Melancon has struggled this year and isn’t the pitcher he once was but looking on the bright side of things, his ERA dipped below 4.00! Tony Watson is probably the best of the bunch in the Pirates pen, but Melancon will continue to see the save opportunities. Also of note, Jared Hughes gave up a few runs in his two innings today, which could help cement Arquimedes Caminero as the preferred right handed setup man in Pittsburgh.
• Quick Hits: Luis Garcia threw two scoreless innings for his first save for the Phillies. Ken Giles is the man to own if/when Papelbon is moved but Garcia could see more higher leverage opportunities. Huston Street picked up two strikeouts and his 12th save for the Angels. After dealing with some back spasms, Grilli seems back on track, throwing a perfect ninth for his 10th save of the year. A.J. Ramos‘ stock is up after recording a save last night and with Bryan Morris and Mike Dunn giving up runs today. Glen Perkins pitched around a couple hits for his 12th save as well.
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
Given the choice between owning John Axford or Brad Ziegler, who would you go with? I’m leaning Ziegler, even with the lack of K’s and seemingly less job security than Axford, but not totally sold yet either way.
Ziegler? Delgado, Burgos and Hudson a threat, and Reed could have the job back in a month. Axford only has to worry about Betancourt and Hawkins; the former has been inconsistent lately.
True that Ziegler has a tougher road to keep the job, but my thinking is that Ziegler is much less likely to ruin your ratio’s for the week with a total blow up and could give you some saves in the short term. While I agree that Axford has less competition, every time he comes out for a save chance he scares the death out of me of him ruining my WHiP and ERA ratio’s in the pursuit of saves.
It’s all about the saves and Axford should get more.
Jansen was damn impressive last night. Four strikeouts in 1.0 IP on a passed ball by Grandal. I think he’ll be the man within a couple of days.
That’s about all the “easing-in” he’s going to need I would imagine.
his K/9 is 36.00 !!!
Yes. Woah what a way to ease injury concerns!
Would you drop wade Davis for Ziegler? Would you drop him for anyone in the Marlins pen? I also have Robertson and Perkins as my other relievers and I’m middle of the pack in saves thanks to holland being out for a while
I might consider dropping Davis for AJ Ramos, since I think Ramos is more than capable of running away with that job, provided he is given the chance and should give his owners solid K numbers.
I definitely wouldnt drop him for Ziegler who has very little going for him fantasy wise unless he gets a bunch of saves. Ziegler just doesnt miss bats and his K rates have always been low.
If I were you, not knowing how the rest of your team looks, I would consider dangling one of your closers for someone at another position of need for you and then trying to grab Ramos (if he is still available) off the wire. If you stand pat, you should be fine for saves either way. I think once Chicago’s offense gets going, Robertson will start racking up more saves, Perkins is one of the steadiest Fantasy closers around not named Kimbrel, Chapman, etc. and Holland should go back to being awesome once he gets ramped back up again velocity and health wise.
Davis is probably the most valuable non-Closer relief pitcher in Fantasy. He strikes out enough guys that over a week, he is essentially a starting pitcher and helps your ERA and WHiP a ton. I would hang onto Davis unless you can get a nice piece in return for him.
Davis is better than a few Ziegler saves, in spite of what I said earlier- hold Davis.
Desperately needs saves. Kinda punted the cat and have Doolittle whenever he gets back. May have an offer to get Boxberger.
Do you think he keeps the role with McGee’s teturn to the team??
Thanks for your input
I think it will be a full fledged co-closer type deal. When the Rays face lefty heavy lineups in the 9th, McGee will be deployed and vice versa with Boxberger and maybe even Kevin Jepsen factoring in a few times.
I’m just guess though, only time will tell and right now it’s nearly impossible to tell since McGee just came back and the Rays have yet to have a save situation since he came back Friday.
Just before the start of the season, Rays manager Kevin Cash disputed a report a day earlier that claimed Boxberger would serve as closer, saying that it would be a committee approach. Since then, Boxberger has been given nearly every 9th-inning save opportunity.
So while Cash is again saying he has not set closer, his track record suggests he will go with the best arm, and Boxberger is a better pitcher than is McGeee. It’s possible the latter gets some save chances against strings of lefties but I expect Boxberger will get the lion’s share.
McGee will have to prove he’s as effective as before if he’s to see saves. Even if that happens I could see a scenario where Boxberger maintains the primary ninth inning guy.