MLB Bullpen Report: Much Committee, Little Clarity

The trade deadline has come and gone this past week, and we saw many relievers change hands. Most of the market seemed to be teams trying to shore up their middle relief corps. It was said in multiple media outlets that the prices were high for relief pitchers this year.

I was a bit surprised that more big names did not switch teams at the deadline; I thought we could see guys like Emilio Pagan, Pete Fairbanks, and Mason Miller get moved. But none of that happened.

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MLB Bullpen Report

Let’s review some of the chaos of the week and try to identify potential waiver wire options or trade targets for your team this week.

AL East

Baltimore looks like they will be timesharing between Yennier Cano and Andrew Kittredge for now. Both have some experience in the role; I slightly prefer Cano based on the stuff. Of course it does not matter what I think of the situation. Both pitchers have a hold and a save this week.

Tampa Bay’s addition of Tyler Wells to middle relief gives them even more riches in the middle innings. Bryan Baker has 34 saves in a fantastic season, and he is set up capably by Kevin Kelly and Garrett Cleavinger. Wells joins a resurgent Cam Booser (35.2% K%) to bridge the gap to the back of the bullpen. This is a fun team.

AL Central

Grant Taylor earned his sixth save of the season on Saturday night, closing a crucial win for the Chicago White Sox. Manager Will Venable is still using a mix-and-match approach, but it is clear that Taylor is the best weapon he has in the bullpen. The team does not use him nearly enough as they closely monitor his innings and try to keep him short of 100 for the season. Yet if the Sox are to make the playoffs, they need to be using Taylor multiple times per week.

Kenley Jansen did not pitch once this week for the Detroit Tigers.

Kansas City: Nate Pearson earned his second save of the season on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, a game in which the maybe closer, Steven Cruz, pitched the eighth inning. Aren’t bullpens fun? Alex Lange has been bumped back down to middle relief. Not ready to declare a favorite here; let’s wait another week. I prefer Cruz, for what it is worth.

The Minnesota Twins acquired Jeff Hoffman, and he could threaten Yoendrys Gomez’s job as closer. Right now, he is in a setup role with rookie Andrew Morris, and Gomez earned two more saves this week. Just realize that Hoffman is here lurking.

AL West

Hogan Harris earned his 10th save on Saturday night for the Athletics. It was a rocky outing, but he navigated through three hits and a run in just over an inning. The Athletics are lousy, but he should get the bulk of the chances they have the rest of the way.

Is Ben Joyce the closer now in Los Angeles? Maybe splitting time with lefty Samy Natera Jr.? And then add in Jose Fermin, who earned his first save this week. This looks like a committee, at least until Joyce gets his legs under him. It has always felt that the team has wanted Joyce to take this job, but injuries have stunted his career thus far. Natera is nasty with a 39.2% K%. We will keep an eye on this one.

NL East

The New York Mets traded away half of their bullpen in 72 hours. Finding new homes were Luke Weaver, Huascar Brazoban, A.J. Minter, and Brooks Raley. Devin Williams will remain the closer, and I am interested in both of the Mets’ new setup guys, Kodai Senga and Daniel Duarte. This could be fun to watch down the stretch.

Philadelphia added relief help before the trade deadline, grabbing Caleb Kilian and Brooks Raley to their middle relief corps last week. Interestingly, the Phillies did not add to the setup role, instead continuing to go with Orion Kerkering and Jonathan Bowlan. I thought they might try to add there, but the cost for relievers at the deadline was apparently very high.

NL Central

The Chicago Cubs are a fascinating bullpen to watch right now. Jacob Webb looks great in the closer role and could retain the job even after the return of would-be closer Daniel Palencia. The Cubs did add Ryan Zeferjahn to their bullpen mix as well.

Pittsburgh imported four new guys into their bullpen this week, led by Luke Weaver. They added Camilo Doval, Kirby Yates, and Lake Bachar to their ranks. Weaver should join the closing committee here that already includes Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto. Montgomery earned the only save here this week. The other three should pitch in middle relief.

Riley O’Brien continues his march to 30 saves; he has 28 on the season, earning two more this week.

NL West

Arizona looks to be a committee situation even with the emergence of Brandyn Garcia. Juan Morillo earned two more holds this week and has 15 now this season. Garcia did not earn any saves this week, nor did anyone in this bullpen.

Jordan Romano is the closer in Colorado. He got his tenth save on Saturday night.

Los Angeles: Do we have a co-closer situation with the Dodgers? Edwin Diaz blew consecutive games this weekend for a suddenly lousy team. Diaz did earn the win but has looked rusty since his return. Tanner Scott has been great all season; maybe manager Dave Roberts backs off using Diaz for every chance until he’s got some outings under his belt?

San Francisco is in turmoil after trading Erik Miller and Caleb Kilian. Look for this to remain a committee. Dylan Smith looks like the leading candidate for saves right now, but that could change on a whim. I would lean Smith, and he should get set up by Keaton Winn, who could also get some chances, and lefty Sam Hentges.