Bullpen Report: May 5, 2014
• John Axford did not pitch well last night and lucky for Cody Allen owners he did not pitch well this evening either, getting the loss against the Twins. Axford has a blown save and a loss in his last two outings and his seasonal ERA/FIP/xFIP is now 4.85/6.59/5.29. Not good. In the same game Cody Allen threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts, continuing his great start to the season. We have known for a while that Allen is the better pitcher but it’s finally time that he starts seeing save opportunities. No switch has been made yet but my guess is that something is imminent. I can’t imagine Allen is still unowned in any active leagues, but he is a must have for any fantasy team. Allen won’t be sitting on your waiver wire but you still might be able to snag him in a trade, netting a possible top-ten closer at a discounted price.
• Daisuke Matsuzaka had a forgettable eighth inning tonight, allowing four guys to reach base and three to score without recording an out. Kyle Farnsworth relieved Dice-BB and finished the inning, striking out a batter while issuing a walk. Farnsworth isn’t a particularly compelling ninth inning option for the Mets or for fantasy teams, but he’s the guy right now and it doesn’t look like Matsuzaka or anyone else is breathing down is neck.
• Casey Janssen pitched an inning in a rehab assignment today, allowing two singles, a popup and two groundouts. In place of the recently removed Sergio Santos, Brett Cecil notched his second of the season. Aaron Loup pitched a scorless seventh and Steve Delabar a scoreless eighth tonight as well. As Colin mentioned, all three could see save opportunities until Janssen is back in Toronto but it looks as though Cecil will be getting the looks for now. However, provided Janssen comes out of his rehab assignment without any additional setbacks, the job could he his upon arrival.
• Mark Melancon blew his first save tonight as he fills in for injured closer Jason Grilli. Melancon’s job isn’t in jeopardy but depending on how he performs in lieu of Grilli he could finish the season as the ninth inning option in Pittsburgh. That still remains a possibility as Grilli isn’t close to returning. Grilli played catch today, but has not yet thrown off a mound as he rehabs from an oblique injury. Melancon and his 2.26 SIERA are probably the best option for saves even when Grilli is back but Melancon will need to avoid outings like this to really pad his save totals this season.
• Quick Hits: Joe Nathan picked up save number six tonight, closing out a shutout of the Astros and Trevor Rosenthal pitched around a hit and a walk for a scoreless ninth and his ninth save of the year.
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
I was just making this same comment on the Fake Teams closer rankings. I think it may be time to move Gregerson out of the Oakland closer spot. (Even as a red-highlighted closer.) Yes, Gregerson has the last save recorded by an Athletic. But that was April 20, believe it or not. Then on April 22 he blew a save and took the loss after giving up two runs when he entered the 9th with a 1 run lead. He hasn’t seen a save opportunity (or anything that looks like normal closer usage) since then:
4/25 – pitched the 8th inning with the game tied, and got the win when Oakland scored 7 runs in the 9th
4/26 – tie game going into the 8th, but Doolittle allowed four straight singles (and two runs) to start the inning. Gregerson came in and allowed the two inherited runners to score (charged to Doolittle) before closing out the inning. (Oakland scored 3 in the 9th to only lose by 1.)
4/30 – pitched the 8th inning with a 12-run lead (allowed the only Rangers run of the game)
5/3 – pitched the 8th inning with a 6-run deficit
5/4 – came in with two outs in the 7th with a 1-run lead. pitched a full inning, getting pulled with two outs in the 8th.
I’m not an A’s fan, and I don’t particularly want to be inside Bob Melvin’s mind. But I think Johnson is the guy again already, they just haven’t had a chance to show it. Since getting a hold in the April 20th game where Gregerson got his last save, Johnson has finished the game in his last four appearances. Granted, three of those were in losses, before getting the win in Sunday’s extra-innings game. But if I were to bet, I’d say Johnson pitches the next time there’s a save situation for Oakland.
^This^
I dropped Gregerson for Johnson three bullpen reports ago and haven’t thought twice about it again. I guess the lack of opportunities hasn’t cleared this up but they clearly seem to be using Johnson in the “closer” role.
Then there’s last night’s line for Johnson. When down by 1 in the top of the ninth
0.2IP, 25PC, 2H, 4R, 0ER, 2BB, 1K
The error was Johnson’s throwing error when trying to field a bunt. Meanwhile, Doolittle showed some life by striking out 4 straight batters before getting replaced by Gregerson.
I’d say the situation is still a mess.
I think the Mariners orders are off as well. Yes Rodney is entrenched as the closer. But Medina is no doubt the next guy in line. It’s a bit murky after that with Leone, Farquhar, Furbush and even Beimel all getting chances. Medina is however undoubtedly the 8th inning guy right now with Lord Farquhar not particularly high up in the mix.
I’ll cast my vote against this AND provide flimsy evidence, the best we have available when speculating on who may gain saves in the event of catastrophe.
Not only has Farquhar’s usage been similar and production better, but when Rodney was given rest Sunday, Farquhar was named as the closer in his absence. He earned a two-inning save.
The manager explicitly said that Medina and Rodney were both unavailable for that game.
BEN WAKE UP! ERNESTO GOT THE SAVE!
Joe Smith is done. Frieri is back.
Well my Joe Smith or Sergio Santos conundrum from a week ago didn’t last very long.
It may return to that in another week, the “closer” position is volatile and unpredictable as a knuckleball.
Would you outright drop Axford in a 12 team league? I have Chapman coming back and own Hawkins and Melancon.
I’d hang onto him and drop another pitcher if possible. Axford is still “getting the job done.” and is still “the closer”, for the moment.
I was able to flip Axford for Jim Johnson. Could blow up in my face, but Johnson is pitching better and I could see him holding onto the closers role more than Axford
Yes, but are his contributions in the one category of SVs worth the damage he’s doing to your team in the ratios? I don’t think so.
Apparently Joe Smith threw up in the bullpen, which was why earnie got the save.
But I dont think it’ll be long now, the Scociapath clearly wants him as the closer.
Missed out on Cody Allen by a matter of minutes, dont you just hate that?
Ben, you need to update the graph! Pecking orders are inacurrate in many cases. Pretty worthless!!!
Webb still the man to own in Chicago? I see y’all have Belisario as the 8th inning guy. I’m leaning towards Webb but looking for a second or third opinion?
I’m curious about this situation as well. Is Lindstrom just a time bomb waiting to happen as his appearances all seem to be ugly, or is he the right combo of good enough + proven closer ™ to hang on for a while?
Where is Matt Albers for the Astros?
Has Dellin Betances gotten into the conversation after the Shawn Kelley blow up? Or does it go to Warren? Betances has been lights out so it should just be a matter of time.