Bullpens: Some Clarity, More to Come After Trade Deadline

It’s going to be an interesting week for major league bullpens this week. I should say, it is an interesting week every week in bullpens, but more interesting because of the pending trade deadline on August 3rd.

Many names here could find themselves with new addresses in the coming days. Or they may stay put. With over 20 teams that have a credible shot at the playoffs, it will be fun to watch the strategy and philosophy play out over the next week.

Let’s dive in and see the current state of things on this beautiful weekend morning.

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MLB Bullpen Report

AL East

In Baltimore, the co-closer situation rolls on without resolution between Andrew Kittredge and Tyler Wells. Kittredge took a loss on Friday night. No clarity here. Could Kittredge find himself on the move this week? Lefty Grant Wolfram earned the last save here this week.

Aroldis Chapman had four saves this week as Boston continues its march to the playoffs with a 15-game winning streak. Chapman continues to defy Father Time.

David Bednar locked down his 19th save on Friday night, his first chance in more than a week. Bednar is quietly having a nice season in New York, with a 2.47 ERA and a 27.4% K%.

AL Central

The Chicago bullpen is both a source of frustration and wonder this year. Would-be closer Seranthony Domínguez is pitching in middle relief now, leaving the closing to Grant Taylor, Sean Newcomb, and Bryan Hudson, who locked down his fourth save on Wednesday night. With the team surprisingly in first place, help at the back end of the bullpen could be a primary target at the trade deadline, which hits August 3.

Perhaps of interest, Kyle Finnegan earned a save on Thursday night, his second, while throwing only two pitches. I presume closer Kenley Jansen was off after throwing twice in three days. I fully expect Jansen to get the next save chance in Detroit, but it is worth noting that he has struggled often this year. And Jansen did get the chance on Friday night, and he delivered an eight-pitch save, his 12th of the season.

Kansas City: I am not sure what to do here other than to avoid this whole mess unless you are desperate for saves. Are you desperate enough to add Alex Lange? I would argue that you are not. Lange could be moved, and if he is, he will not be in a closer role. Their middle relief pitchers like Daniel Lynch IV and John Schreiber arguably have more value than Lange.

AL West

Athletics: this no longer seems to be a committee at all. Hogan Harris has stepped up and looks to be the closer of choice right now in Sacramento. He earned his eighth save on Friday night while Elvis Alvarado continues to struggle with a 5.40 ERA.

Ryan Zeferjahn may have inched ahead in the closer competition in Los Angeles. Could Kirby Yates find himself on the trading block? If so, I think Zeferjahn could be the clear favorite for saves for the Angels; they seem to prefer Sam Bachman and Samy Natera Jr. in their current setup roles.

Jacob Latz locked up save number 20 on Friday to continue his unexpected terrific run at the closer position in Texas.

NL East

Miami: the Marlins did not figure to have a closing controversy after signing veteran bullpen ace Pete Fairbanks. But Fairbanks has struggled all season with a bloated 7.42 ERA and 1.52 WHIP despite earning 13 saves with a fine 29.5% K%. Could Michael Petersen get a shot? Hard to say; Miami is a .500 baseball team and will not likely add help, but could perhaps move Fairbanks in a deadline deal? So hard to say what they will do being on the cusp of the playoffs as of this writing. No clarity here.

The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to find a right-handed setup man to replace the injured Brad Keller; do they already have him in Orion Kerkering? Jhoan Duran has the closing gig nailed down. Don’t be surprised if the Phillies, with their eyes on a deep playoff run, acquire some help this week for their bullpen.

NL Central

The Chicago Cubs continue to mix-and-match, even as Jacob Webb gets most of the chances there. Gavin Hollowell notched his first save on Friday night, a game in which Webb also pitched. But this was an extra-inning affair in which Webb pitched the eighth, Caleb Thielbar the ninth, and Hollowell the 10th. No changing of the guard here. It remains unclear when or if closer Daniel Palencia will be back in the top job as he continues to recover from an elbow injury.

Emilio Pagan seems to have found himself again in Cincinnati; could the veteran closer be traded in the coming days? The Reds are seven games below .500, and Pagan could be a valuable trade piece. If he does get moved, could Tejay Antone take over the closing gig? Or maybe Antone has trade value as well?  It will be interesting to watch as several current Reds could find themselves on different teams next weekend. Pagan has converted three consecutive saves this week.

Continuing to watch things in Pittsburgh, which still appears to be a committee situation. The team decided to part company with former closer Dennis Santana; he’s a great tale in how quickly things can change in bullpen roles. Lefties Gregory Soto and Mason Montgomery should continue to share the job here.

NL West

Paul Sewald is struggling in the desert. His ERA is nearing 5.00, and he blew his last save chance. That said, manager Torey Lovullo has stuck with him all season. Should he decide to relieve Sewald of his duties, could veteran Kevin Ginkel be in the mix? Maybe lefty Brandyn Garcia? This team has been waiting all season for the possible returns of Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk, but those returns feel light years away still. Sewald got the chance on Friday night and converted it, so this could all be much ado about nothing. Ginkel earned a hold.

Colorado: scoff if you must, but Jordan Romano has reemerged as a closer option in Denver. That is two straight saves for the veteran since he has resurfaced here. That makes four saves for him in July to go with a 1.35 ERA and a 29.9% K%. This bears watching, especially if you need saves. Notice I did not say anything about watching a high wire act here. There may always be some volatility given Romano’s pedigree and pitching half your games at Coors Field.

Edwin Diaz should have an imminent return, which will bump Tanner Scott back into a setup role. But what a job Scott did in the interim. Scott posted 15 saves with a tidy 2.40 ERA and a 34.6% K%. The Dodgers will have plenty of bullpen choices when the playoffs roll around, and both Scott and Diaz will be high-powered weapons for them. The Dodgers also acquired Seth Halvorsen from the Colorado Rockies this week; he is currently on the 15-day IL but could pay dividends in this second half and the playoffs as well. Diaz is scheduled to return this coming week.

San Francisco: the committee work here continues with Caleb Kilian, Erik Miller, and JT Brubaker. No saves here this week for anyone.