Archive for ryan cook

Whether it’s a worthwhile strategy or not (and I stand by the fact that it isn’t), numerous fantasy owners tend to ignore closers on draft day. Their decision is either to punt saves outright or to just not invest any auction dollars or draft picks on closers and fish off the waiver wire all year for saves. And why is that? Because when it comes to job security, the number of closers who actually have it is quite small. Not to mention, the rash of injuries we tend to see from year to year. And, of course, their side of the debate gets a little boost here in February as we see three situations involving closers already coming to light. Read the rest of this entry »

• Jim Henderson earned his second career save in as many nights this evening as the Brewers clipped the Reds, 3-2. The 6-foot-5 right-hander was asked to close out the Reds after John Axford entered in the top of the eighth-inning with the Crew down a run. Axford sat down the Reds in order, but instead of the mustache running back out for the ninth after the Brewers claimed the lead, Ron Roenicke decided to use Henderson for the second consecutive save opportunity. It’s nearly impossible to get into the heads of the managers — especially those with unreliable bullpens — but I suggest adding Henderson now if you’re chasing saves, worry about definitive roles later.
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To say that the closing situation in baseball has been a disaster this season would be a grave understatement.  Of the 30 teams this year, 18 teams have had to make changes and/or adjustments due to injury or an outright lack of success.  Some of the changes have been temporary while others have seen multiple relievers moved in and out of the role causing fantasy owners to spend far too much time playing the waiver wire in search of consistent saves.  But what happens once the dust settles and there’s almost no more turnover?  What happens when you can’t find saves on the waiver wire and you’re in need?  The trade market can be a very unforgiving place to shop. Read the rest of this entry »

• Besides Giants’ fans and those in holds leagues, has anyone noticed the season Sergio Romo is having? The guy has been filthy. Tonight he earned his fourth handshake of the season while lowering his ERA to 0.83. Romo is inducing swings-and-misses at an astronomical rate (18.7 SwStr%) which leads us to believe his 12.39 K/9 is more than real. Although Romo has only accumulated 21.2 innings on the bump, he’s sporting a FIP (1.82), xFIP (1.89) and SIERA (1.65) that indicate we may see a slight regression, but we’re likely going to see more of the same. At this point, Romo is owned in holds leagues and in shallower leagues with saves chasers. If by chance he’s available, I’d consider making the add to get a weekly boost from his ERA (0.83), WHIP (0.79) and the aforementioned strikeouts.
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• Just as I was about to press the “publish now” button on the Bullpen Report from last evening, John Axford decided to blow his second save of the season. The mustached one entered with a two-run lead, but surrendered a hit and two walks, resulting in two earned while whiffing just one to send the game into extras. Although this was only Axford’s second blown opportunity of the season, the Brewers’ closer has allowed six earned runs in his last four outings with five walks to just three punch outs. Looking further, Axford has actually increased his K/9 since 2011 — 10.51 to 12.93 batters per nine — but has allowed about double the free passes as he did last season (3.05 to 6.08 BB/9). Additionally, Axford has been a bit unlucky on average on balls in play (.361 versus .301 career) and is stranding less runners (62.2 LOB%) than his career (76.3%), which leads me to believe his 4.94 ERA is due for some improvement. Assuming there are no injury concerns, Axford needs to limit walks and reduce line drives if he wants to be the effective closer who recently held a 49-game consecutive save streak that ended May 11th. Should Axford continue to struggle, former closer Francisco Rodriguez is waiting in the first chair for the Brew Crew.

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• Ryan Cook earned his first handshake of the year Tuesday night as the Athletics defeated the Rockies, 8-5. Cook came on in the ninth and surrendered a hit, a free pass and whiffed two en route to the save. The righty has allowed just two earned runs in 27 appearances, good enough for a 0.67 ERA (2.83 FIP). Despite a 5.33 BB/9, Cook maintains a spectacular 0.89 WHIP thanks to a 0.91 BAA. Although these ratios may be unsustainable due to a .191 BABIP and 91.7 LOB%, Mike Axisa suggests Cook may not regress as far as some may assume since he’s a fly ball pitcher in a huge ballpark. Grab Cook where you can, as he seems to be the current head of skipper Bob Melvin’s closer-by-committee.
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