TWIB – This Weekend In Bullpens:

• Things are getting very interesting in Detroit. After Jim Leyland previously stated that Jose Valverde was their closer, Joaquin Benoit got the four-out save today, his fourth of the year. This time Jim Leyland said “I’m going to do whatever I think it takes for the Tigers to win the game, and today I felt like my best option was Benoit.” I’m sure all of Detroit and Benoit owners everywhere would agree Benoit was the best option, but whether or not Leyland will think Benoit is the best option next time, nobody really knows. If Leyland is going to do whatever it takes for the Tigers to win, Benoit will be the guy but he has a love affair with Valverde. There relationship is on the rocks and the moment and Leyland could look Benoit’s way but without an official word, we can’t say Valverde is out of the picture. I’d run to pick up Benoit and would consider this an unofficial closer-by-committee until we hear more from Leyland or can see how the next few games play out.

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When Jose Valverde and Kevin Gregg rose from their respective graves to close games, who thought Gregg would be the more prudent acquisition?

• Jose Valverde is still the Tigers closer. According to his manager, Jim Leyland “we’re going to use Jose Valverde until we decide Jose Valverde can’t do it or we have someone else better, just like everyone else does.” That may not sound like the strongest praise for Papa Grande, but the closer he shall remain. While Valverde throws a fastball and a splitter, performance wise, Jose Valverde is essentially a one-pitch pitcher nowadays. In 2013, his fastball has been worth 1.5 runs above average, per 100 pitches while his splitter has been worth -9.67 runs above average, per 100 pitches. Considering Valverde’s getting strikeouts at a below average rate overall and isn’t fooling anyone with his splitter, I don’t expect any better results out of Valverde this season, in fact I might expect worse. Joaquin Benoit (2.60 FIP) has been great this season but the Tigers don’t seem to want him closing and if a move is made to replace Valverde, I still feel it might come outside of the organization. Nevertheless, Valverde will receive the next opportunities, and needless to say, this situation could be very fluid soon.

As I click publish on this post, Valverde entered the game with a four run lead, walked the leadoff batter, got a fortuitous double play and then issued a HBP. 

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• Tom Wilhelmsen had a night to forget yesterday against the Astros, blowing his fourth save of the year. By the time the game was over, Wilehlmsen gave up five earned runs on three hits and two walks. Sure, the relievers who replaced Wilhelmsen could have done a better job with their inherited runners, but it’s also the fifth time in the last eight outings that Wilhelmsen has given up at least one run. Wilhelmsen’s ERA now stands at 3.77 and although his FIP looks more impressive at 3.17, he’s yet to allow a fly ball to go over the wall making his 4.46 xFIP more indicative of how he’s pitching at the moment.  Last year Wilhelmsen had  a 9.87 K/9 and 10.7 SwStr% and in 2013 those have dipped to 6.59 K/9 with a 9.7% SwStr%.

Wilhelmsen’s velocity isn’t to blame either as he’s averaged 95.9 mph on his fastball, right in line with his career average. However, his control of it (and/or all of his repertoire) sure has changed, with Wilhelmsen putting up a 4.71 BB/9 this year, significantly higher than the 3.29 BB/9 in 2012. After the game, Eric Wedge said that Wilhelmsen is their closer but from listening to the clip, it doesn’t sound like his job is too secure, and they may need to have a “conversation” about it. The problem for the Mariners is there aren’t many great options behind Wilhelmsen to close but I’d say Carter Capps and Charlie Furbush are the best bets. Furbush has turned himself into a stirkeout throwing lefty with an ability to get opposite handed hitters out, but my guess for Wilhelmsen’s replacement would be Capps. Although his numbers aren’t particularly great, the big 6’5” righty can strike guys out (10.93 K/9) with his high 90s heat while showing some solid control (2.25 BB/9). As Wedge said, Wilhelmsen is still closing, but this is certainly a situation worth monitoring and I’d snag Capps if I had an open spot.  Read the rest of this entry »

Kenley Jansen proves he deserves the ninth inning and Papa Grande proves why he didn’t have a job on Opening Day. Your Bullpen Report starts now!

• After being named the closer yesterday, Kenley Jansen was given a save opportunity last night and unsurprisingly converted the save, his third of the season. Jansen pitched a perfect ninth while striking out two batters and as the full-time closer in Los Angeles, this is something we should get used to seeing. Jansen has been a dominant reliever for a while now and it will be business as usual just with the extra bonus of saves, delighting Jansen owners everywhere. Jansen’s actually posting the lowest strikeout rate of his career but 12.55 K/9 is certainly nothing to sneeze at and it’s  come with the best walk rate of his career (1.64 BB/9). Considering Jansen’s still striking batters out an an elite rate, increased control at the expense of a few strikeouts is a trade he, the Dodgers and his fantasy owners would make any day.

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• Brandon League was very Brandon League last night, giving up four runs en route to his fourth blown save and third loss of the season. The best thing you can say about League’s ERA this year (6.00) is that it’s an even number. The (bad) luck card isn’t usable in this situation either as League’s FIP is 5.15, and with a mere 4.88 K/9, League doesn’t even net your fantasy team any strikeouts. It shouldn’t have taken this long, but finally with all of that said, it appears that Mattingly has named Kenley Jansen his closer.

If you know of a paid league that still has Kenley Jansen available on the wire, please invite me next year. It goes without say that Jansen must be owned and with his strikeout ability, he could be one of the better closers from here on out if he holds onto the job all year. League’s salary or whatever he was doing to hold onto the job for so long with a significant better option on the team could theoretically get him the job back at some point again this season but right now he seems so broken that I have confidence that Jansen runs away with it all year.

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A few teams are off tonight but you still get 100% of the Bullpen Report (I think)…

• Greg Holland picked up the clean save tonight, striking out two for his 13th save of the year. Since his struggles earlier on in the season Holland has been great and in his last eleven appearances, Holland has thrown 11.0 scoreless frames with 16 strikeouts against only three walks. On the year Holland now has a 1.96 ERA supported by a fantastic 1.33 FIP and 2.13 xFIP. Holland’s control (3.91 BB/9) isn’t perfect, but he makes up for it with a fantastic 13.70 K/9, backed by an equally fantastic ability to miss bats (14.3% SwStr%). Holland hasn’t received as many save opportunities as some other relievers (I’m looking at you Mr. Jason Grilli) but not many pitchers have Holland’s ability to get K’s and he should be one of the better options out of the pen, whether it’s real life or fantasy this season.

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• Bobby Parnell gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth tonight, blowing the save against the Nationals. For Parnell it was his third blown save of the year and his second loss to go with his four wins on the season. Even after tonight’s outing, Parnell still has a 2.55 ERA on the season, backed by an impressive 2.30 FIP. Considering Parnell throws 95 mph, it would be nice to see a few more swings and misses (8.6% SwStr%; 8.39 K/9) but his worm killing ways (52.4% GB%) and better than average control make him a highly effective end game option. Before the season, Frank Francisco’s name was mentioned as someone to keep an eye on, but the only news we have heard has been set backs, and at this point the Mets don’t really know when he’ll be back. With nobody lurking behind him Parnell’s job is very secure and although the name on the front of his jersey isn’t ideal for saves, he remains a solid fantasy and real life option.

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A light(er) and (less) important load today with a few teams off, but some bullpen notes for your reading pleasure below.

• Chris Perez isn’t joining the Indians quite yet, but he’s set to start throwing in a few days. In his place closing games for the Indians has been Vinnie Pestano and although he hasn’t pitched all that well this year (5.57 FIP) he’ll still get the ball in the ninth. Setting him up has been and will continue to be Joe Smith, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen. Mr. Allen might be the farthest away from getting a save but he’s also the most effective reliever in Cleveland, leading the bullpen in WAR(0.5), FIP (2.49) and K/9 (11.92). The Indians lost today against the Yankees, but Cody Allen finished the seventh inning with Joe Smith pitching a scoreless eighth. Whether it’s in a winning or losing effort, that distribution should continue for the Indians with everyone entering the game a little earlier once Chris Perez returns.

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Today we go real deep to find you potential hidden treasure that will catapult your fantasy teams into Yoo-Hoo shower stardom. Then again, you’re all definitely in first place already, because you read RotoGraphs every day and get the best advice on the planet.

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• Chris Perez was placed on the 15-day DL yesterday with a shoulder injury and after an MRI today, we now know he has rotator cuff tendinitis. While the news could have been worse, as shoulder injuries are always worrisome especially considering Perez had a few shoulder flare ups earlier this season, the Indians are glad he won’t have to miss any significant time due to the injury. In his place in the ninth inning will be Vinnie Pestano. Pestano has been an ace reliever the last couple of years but has struggled in 2013. Pestano has never had great control with a career 3.62 BB/9 but he compensated for it with terrific swing and miss stuff. This year his control has eluded him a bit (5.25 BB/9) as his strikeout rate (9.0 K/9) is down from his career numbers (10.87). Add it all up and Pestano is pitching to an ugly 4.99 FIP.

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