MLB Bullpen Depth Charts: Messy Situations Continue

You’d think that after almost a month of baseball the situations in MLB bullpens would be more clear… You’d think. We do have clarity on a few bullpens, but there’s plenty more news to try and dissect in this week’s edition of our MLB Bullpen Depth Charts.

MLB Bullpen Depth Charts

AL East

Another week, another bullpen nightmare in Boston. Manager Alex Cora recently stated in a postgame news conference that he wants Matt Barnes to close for the Red Sox.  Yet his behavior tells us differently.  He continues to mix and match Hansel Robles and Jake Diekman. Last Thursday, Robles got the eighth, Diekman the ninth, and when Diekman ran into a jam, Barnes came in, essentially as the last man standing, and got the last out.  This continues to be a committee approach right now, but if Barnes can find his mojo, he could easily reclaim this job.  Easier said than done.

AL Central

In Chicago, Liam Hendriks has not been effective thus far.  Drafted as one of the top two closers in the game, he has four saves, but also sports two losses and a bloated ERA at 6.14.  Manager Tony La Russa, who is struggling to manage this bullpen on a daily basis, revealed that Hendriks has been battling back spasms.  That could lead to Kendall Graveman getting a chance or two in the interim.  If you are looking for holds here, look elsewhere until the bullpen rights the ship, unless you roster Graveman.  Aaron Bummer has been terrible thus far.  That being said, there is no danger to Hendriks right now and he will get every opportunity to make some corrections while keeping the role.

The Kansas City bullpen is a full-blown committee right now between Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont. Look for the split to continue.  Taylor Clarke is looking like he may also be a late-inning option along with Amir Garrett; both could be good candidates for holds. Garrett looks resurgent in a small sample size thus far.

AL West

In Houston, most pundits (this one included) thought it would be Hector Neris swiping the role after Ryan Pressly hit the IL with knee inflammation. However, Ryne Stanek, who also has some experience closing, got the first chance, and then Rafael Montero, who notched a save later in the week. Interestingly, Pressly is eligible to come off the IL, but skipper Dusty Baker simply said he was “not ready” when asked about it this week.  Who knows?  any of Stanek, Montero, or Neris could get the next chance.  Best to avoid unless utterly desperate.

The Seattle Mariners welcomed relief ace Paul Sewald back from the IL and immediately inserted him back into a high leverage role. Look for the timeshare between Sewald and Drew Steckenrider to continue for now.  Watch out for Andres Munoz, who has looked excellent in the early going with his 100 MPH sinker in full effect.  He may force his way into the closer conversation before too long.  He should be the closer in 2023 for those of you in keeper or dynasty leagues.

NL East

Cole Sulser looks to be the guy in Miami on nights that Anthony Bender is unavailable.  Take note that Dylan Floro is out on a rehab assignment and will be in the mix shortly.  Even still, the job seems to clearly belong to Bender right now, who has five saves on the year and only one bad outing on the ledger. Still, this will be one to watch due to the available options.

NL Central

The Chicago Cubs continue to use what can best be called a committee approach, sharing the opportunities among David Robertson, Rowan Wick, and Mychal Givens. Each has at least one save on the year. Robertson leads the way with four saves.  Here’s the thing I am feeling: Robertson should get the bulk of the opportunities right now, building some trade value for the Cubs, before ceding the job full-time to Wick.  The Cubs could use both Robertson and Givens as trade bait for pitching-needy teams before the trade deadline, and Wick would be left standing.  Who knows?  Wick isn’t a young guy but seems to have been the closer-in-waiting a long time.

Cincinnati is 3-17 on the young season and there don’t look to be many save chances here.  However, it does appear that the recently activated Lucas Sims will get them.  In their only chance last week, Art Warren got the eighth, and Sims the ninth. I think that will be the way this goes…for now.

In Pittsburgh, the 50/50 timeshare continues between David Bednar and Chris Stratton.  But should it?  Bednar is clearly better: he is spotless in nine outings, with two saves and 13 punchouts in nine innings.  Stratton has two saves as well but sports a 5.40 ERA in the early going with six strikeouts in a little over six innings.  We need to keep in mind that Bednar may see himself inserted into the middle of a jam earlier on in the game due to having superior stuff. He’s frustrating to roster right now because of the save opportunity split.  Another lesson in how the best arm in the bullpen may not be the closer.

NL West 

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Mark Melancon went to the IL with no designation, which leads us to believe it is Covid-19 related. In his absence, expect Ian Kennedy to take over as closer for the 9-12 Dbacks.  Noe Ramirez and Joe Mantiply will be in play for holds, and may even get an opportunity or two should Kennedy need a day off or be ineffective. Keynan Middleton was called up in a corresponding move; his value in fantasy circles would be minimal right now.

The San Francisco bullpen continues to intrigue and frustrate fantasy managers right now. Camilo Doval has four saves, and Jake McGee, two.  Both have been effective, with ERAs under 3.00 and one blown save each.  Manager Gabe Kapler has the best bullpen, statistically speaking, in baseball right now. The current split looks to be 2:1 for Doval over McGee.  However, that could change based on matchups and effectiveness.  Give the edge to Doval, for now, but this could change at any time, too.