This week’s mind-boggling number: how many pitchers have at least one save in MLB this season? Keep in mind most teams have played about 40 games.
The answer? 97. It’s the second week of May. Following bullpens and trying to determine who gets the next save opportunity is becoming a full-time job. And I can’t do this full-time! I already have three jobs.
I have been nursing what appears to be some type of migraine all week, and it’s hard to tell how much of it is work, the number of games my team has had canceled due to weather or trying to figure out these bullpens.
Popped some Excedrin, got my coffee, and we will dig in. My DMs are always open if you have questions I might be able to help you with @mdrc0508, or if you just want to chat or talk about mental health as well. Spring is historically a hard time for many, so be sure to prioritize your own mental health and also check in on family and friends. Let’s build a community of compassionate communication and support. Let’s dig into these bullpens on this mid-May Saturday morning.
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Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report
AL East
Yennier Cano appears to be a must-add in most leagues at this point. He seems to get every vulture save opportunity in Baltimore. He’s now got three saves on the season with terrific peripherals: a 0.00 ERA, .16 WHIP, a 38.6K%, 0.0BB%. These are video game numbers, and he won’t keep them unblemished forever, but wow…what a start!
In New York, it appears that manager Aaron Boone is moving towards giving Michael King some opportunities to close in light of erstwhile closer Clay Holmes‘ struggles. The other night, Boone used Holmes in the 7th, Wandy Peralta in the 8th, and King in the 9th. Holmes has four saves but an ERA of 4.61 and a WHIP of 1.46. However, last night King gave up three earned runs coming on in the 7th, and Holmes got the 8th, and Peralta the save in the 9th. The Yankees will likely give Holmes chances to work things out, but this situation looks to be unsettled and a committee at this time.
AL Central
Rumor has it that Liam Hendriks will be back for the Chicago White Sox this week, possibly even Tuesday. Lefty Garrett Crochet appears to not be far behind him. The Sox currently sport the second-worst bullpen in baseball and could use all the help they can get. Castoffs Gregory Santos and Keynan Middleton have been their best arms. It’s become obvious that manager Pedro Grifol has no feel for how to use the bullpen and no one seems to know their role. The season has been a travesty so far for the Sox, and they show zero signs of hope in turning it around at this point. Perhaps Hendriks, after proving he is healthy, can be a trade chip as the Sox and GM Rick Hahn could be resetting, or perhaps rebuilding yet again.
Things look to be a bit of a timeshare in Minnesota. Jorge Lopez earned his third save of the season on Thursday night. Jhoan Duran has seven saves, a 1.84 ERA, and a 0.95 WHIP. The Twins are protective of one of their best assets and also may be looking to suppress his worth in arbitration, as my friend and bullpen guru Greg Jewett has pointed out several times. Duran has pitched in back-to-back games only three times this season, and after each of those, was given at least two days of rest before his next outing. This is a kind of committee, then, despite Duran’s electric stuff and great results thus far.
AL West
In a bullpen that few want to venture into, Zack Jackson earned a save this week and then gave up two runs last night in a game that Oakland came back in a walk-off win against the Texas Rangers. I would steer clear unless desperate, although the A’s have won three games this week.
In Seattle, much was made in the winter over the closer situation, and whether it would be Paul Sewald or Andres Munoz. Sewald has converted all nine of his save chances, to go along with two wins and 25 punchouts in 19 innings. Manager Scott Servais has shown a propensity to use multiple arms in different spots, especially as Munoz continues to work his way back from injury and anticipates a mid-June return. Matt Brash has stepped up into a higher leverage role, as has unheralded Justin Topa. Sewald is the top guy here, for now.
I will continue to roll with Will Smith in Texas over Jose Leclerc.
NL East
It will be interesting to watch the next few weeks for the deeply experienced Philadelphia Phillies bullpen. Jose Alvarado is out with an elbow injury and his return is undetermined and unknown. As discussed here before, this could easily be a committee situation. Some will disagree (and that is what our game is all about), but I will put veteran Craig Kimbrel at the top of the chain right now, getting maybe 60-70% of the chances. Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto and perhaps even Matt Strahm could get opportunities.
NL Central
The Chicago Cubs have surprised some fans by being competitive thus far, but the back end of their bullpen is a mess. Brad Boxberger continues to be shaky with an ERA north of 4.50, and Michael Fulmer has been working through his struggles and looks better lately (2.25 ERA in May). The best arm in this bullpen continues to be Adbert Alzolay, but alas, I do not get to make these decisions on who will close. Alzolay looks the part of a multiple-inning weapon right now and could be available in many leagues that count holds. Mark Leiter Jr. might also be getting some opportunities here. On local sports radio talk shows, manager David Ross has shared that he will ride the hot hand and also play matchups. The Cubs’ bullpen may be one to avoid for now in this fantasy game.
NL West
Despite less-than-glittering peripherals, Pierce Johnson looks to be the guy in Colorado despite the return of Daniel Bard. This could be a situation of working Bard back into the role. But it’s important to at least consider that Bard’s battle with anxiety may preclude him from being in the top spot. We wish Bard the best as he continues to work through his mental health, and kudos to him for being so open about it. He’s one of my favorite players for how he comports himself and is an advocate for mental health.
Continue to have Evan Phillips pushed ahead of Brusdar Graterol in Los Angeles.