I have a throbbing headache as I complete this last-before-the-deadline article on closers. There could be so much change between now and next weekend, so anything I say here is merely speculation, gleaned from reading box scores, looking at usage patterns, and gut reaction. So take anything here with a grain of salt, as anything can, and likely will, happen this week.
Let’s get to it.
Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report
AL East
Could Craig Kimbrel be on the hot seat in Baltimore? Despite having 23 saves, Kimbrel lost Friday night and rumors continue to swirl that the Orioles are looking to upgrade their bullpen. This will be interesting to watch, Veteran lefty Cionel Perez earned a save on Thursday night. They could return to Yennier Cano if they do not make a move, even though Cano seems better suited in the top setup role.
Kenley Jansen earned his 20th save Friday night, and despite the surprising season of the Red Sox, could be on the move in the coming days. We’ll have to see how this plays out and if Boston will be buyers or sellers this coming week.
With the moves they have made the last three days, could the Rays also move their current closer, Pete Fairbanks? Do not be surprised if they do, especially after trading veterans Randy Arozarena and Zac Eflin in the last two days. That means any of their reliable relievers could also be moved, leaving the closer picture here murky. One to watch for sure; if Jason Adam, Colin Poche, and Garrett Cleavinger stick around, could this be a committee as the Rays search for a new closer?
Toronto moved Yimi Garcia on Friday to the Seattle Mariners, who are retooling in a valiant attempt to stay in the AL West race. Look for veteran Chad Green to move as well. Who would that leave the closing to? Could it finally be Nate Pearson‘s time? Hard to say, but with a 5.63 ERA, the Jays could shy away. Could they turn to veteran Eric Swanson, back from working through some mechanical tweaks and pitch mix changes made in AAA? Time will tell.
AL Central
Rumors swirl that the Chicago White Sox will trade anyone not tied down, and that could lead to a move for Michael Kopech. Should he be dealt, it matters little who manager Pedro Grifol puts in the role, since the White Sox will struggle to win another 10 games this season. After a horrendous outing on July 7, Kopech has five scoreless outings in a row, crediting a small mechanical tweak and a different view of his pitch mix. Perhaps another team can give him a fresh start and allow him to find his best performance, as the Sox have been unable to do that with the former top prospect.
Emmanuel Clase has three saves this week, running his total to 32. Ho-hum.
In Detroit, Jason Foley continues to struggle in the top job and could be a trade candidate this coming week. Shelby Miller earned the save Thursday night for the Tigers, a game in which Foley pitched the seventh inning. Lefty Tyler Holton has also fought his way into the leverage ladder. This is another situation where some of the top candidates for saves might also be dealt. We will need to wait and see what happens this week. but I would love for Miller to get a shot at it if he remains in Detroit and Foley gets dealt.
Jame McArthur is fighting for his job in Kansas City, which recently acquired top setup man Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals. McArthur has 17 saves but blew one Wednesday night, a game in which Harvey earned a hold. Watching this one carefully.
AL West
Mason Miller was injured this week, although there is some confusion over how the injury occurred. He broke the pinky finger on his left hand. No matter, he is out of commission, thus putting Lucas Erceg on a crash course with the closer role. Or is he? Tyler Ferguson earned his first save on Thursday night. With nothing to lose and with Erceg maybe on the trade block, could this be a committee situation? Erceg earned the save on Friday night and would be the favorite to close if he is on hand after the trade deadline until Miller is ready to come off the IL.
Seattle has rebuilt the back end of their bullpen on the fly in the last two days, moving Ryne Stanek to the New York Mets while acquiring Yimi Garcia from the Toronto Blue Jays. This is an intriguing bullpen, where they have one of the best relievers in the game, Andres Munoz, but do not always use him in the ninth-inning role. Munoz has 16 saves, one this week. Garcia has closing experience and has five saves this season. Look for Munoz to probably get 75% of those chances, but there is an opportunity for Garcia to earn saves here in the right situations.
Texas could be getting healthier and surging, making it likely that they will keep their top duo of relievers, Kirby Yates and David Robertson. Perhaps they will add an arm here?
NL East
With the move of A.J. Puk (see Arizona note below), and current closer Tanner Scott likely on the move next, who will be the closer for the awful Miami Marlins? If we go by usage, it would seem that Calvin Faucher and Andrew Nardi could be next up, if they too are not dealt. Anthony Bender also lurks here. I would give a slight edge to Faucher.
New York: acquired Ryne Stanek from the Seattle Mariners and will insert him into a high-leverage role with recent acquisition Phil Maton. Top relievers Reed Garrett, Dedniel Nunez, and Drew Smith are all out, and veteran Adam Ottavino has struggled recently. The Mets are fighting to stay in the playoff picture, and these moves stabilize the back end to get to Edwin Diaz.
In Philadelphia, arguably baseball’s best team continues to play musical chairs in their bullpen. Veteran lefty Jose Alvarado has been moved to a middle relief role given his struggles, and the team traded former closer Seranthony Dominguez this week to Baltimore in exchange for outfielder Austin Hays. This seemingly leaves the ninth-inning role for Jeff Hoffman, who has nine saves now, and perhaps Matt Strahm, who has been excellent all year. Strahm could get the ninth when the team is facing a bevy of left-handed hitters in that spot. Orion Kerkering and Gregory Soto continue to be stable in the middle innings too. Hoffman should get the bulk of the chances here for now.
Washington: could the Nationals hold on to Kyle Finnegan? They could as they look to be a team that could contend in the NL East next season, and they will need a closer. Should they trade him, look for veteran Dylan Floro (if not traded) or lefty Robert Garcia to get chances down the stretch.
NL Central
Is this the week that the Chicago Cubs move on from Hector Neris? The Cubs have not been very good this year and could become active sellers this coming week. I would expect Neris and Mark Leiter Jr. to draw some interest. Best bet: with nothing to lose the Cubs could give rookie Porter Hodge a look in the role, although veteran Jorge Lopez lurks in the middle innings and has experience, if manager Craig Counsell wants to go that route. Who knows? All of them could get moved, including veteran Drew Smyly and Julian Merryweather, who is back from the IL now as well.
Milwaukee expects top closer Devin Williams back this week, but we need to recognize the job Trevor Megill has done in his absence: 20 saves, a 2.41 ERA, and a 29.4K%. Megill will likely go to the top high-leverage setup role, along with lefty Bryan Hudson, to give Milwaukee some great depth at the back end of the bullpen down the stretch.
NL West
The Arizona Diamondbacks essentially kicked off the march to the trade deadline with the acquisition of lefty A.J. Puk Thursday night from the Miami Marlins for two prospects. I found this surprising for two reasons: first, I thought the Marlins would keep Puk as their closer after moving Tanner Scott, who is still on the team at this writing. Secondly, I thought the Diamondbacks might become light sellers, and that doesn’t seem to be the case here. Puk should slot into a high-leverage role, behind closer Paul Sewald. Kevin Ginkel and Justin Martinez should continue to see large roles here.
Victor Vodnik continues to close in Colorado. There aren’t many opportunities here, but he should get them supported by Jalen Beeks and Tyler Kinley.
Los Angeles: we find a bullpen in some turmoil. Evan Phillips is being used in a lower-leverage role after a rough 10-day period. Daniel Hudson has been the beneficiary, but Alex Vesia is also involved if left-handed batters need facing in the ninth. Hudson has two saves this week, Phillips one, and Brent Honeywell another. Could the Dodgers be in the market for a big-ticket item closer? I think they may be.