I think we should invent a new game. Maybe a betting pool of sorts. Which unknown or obscure reliever will get a save opportunity this week? Throw your names out there. Did you have Dany Jimenez earning a save this week? Jorge Lopez? How about Michael King? Each of those three earned a save this week.
Keeping track of bullpens is a tough chore any season, but even tougher this season with so much uncertainty and managers changing their minds more quickly than my old girlfriends in college. In any given week, there are as many as 15 bullpens that could be classified as committee work. That makes finding the right closers for your teams amounts to detective work if you don’t have a top-notch guy there already. Read on to find some other worthy targets for your teams. Hang in there!
MLB Bullpen Depth Charts
AL East
In Baltimore, many wondered what would happen after the late spring trade of Cole Sulser and Tanner Scott to Miami. Many, including me, thought the job would fall to Dillon Tate, at least at first. But lo and behold, Jorge Lopez emerged for a save chance Monday and converted it. Two days later he was shellacked against Milwaukee. I am guessing that this will be a fluid situation all year, as Lopez does not really profile as a closer and the Orioles should be looking at a bevy of options. Tate would seem to be the best of the bunch if you must speculate. I am staying away from this one.
Things look shaky thus far in Boston for Matt Barnes. Barnes was called upon in the sixth inning of a blowout game last week. On Wednesday, Jake Diekman got the eighth and Hansel Robles got the save. Garrett Whitlock will have a say in this too. Those of us that drafted Barnes in hopes of a turnaround may be waiting a while.
The struggle is real for Aroldis Chapman. On Thursday night he walked the bases loaded before giving way to Michael King who got the Yankees out of trouble. Manager Aaron Boone pulled him, and Chapman later agreed with his skipper that he had made the right move removing him from that game. Fast forward to last night, when Boone called on Chapman in the 11th inning of a tie game with the bases loaded. After striking out a batter, he walked in the winning run and the Yankees lost 2-1. Afterward, Boone continued to say that Chapman was throwing well and that we had seen was an “aberration.” Might be, but a word of caution, make sure you are insulated against another Chapman breakdown. If you are looking in the New York bullpen for other answers, Jonathan Loaisiga would seem next in line, and Chad Green is there as well.
AL Central
In Minnesota, Jorge Alcala has been shut down with elbow inflammation for at least a week. That doesn’t really make the situation less murky, however. Tyler Duffey for the first chance last week, and pitched poorly. Emilio Pagan has experience in the role. This one is still shaking out after the late spring trade of Taylor Rogers. If he’s on your waiver wire, the guy to grab right now is Jhoan Duran, who has a 102 MPH heater and incredible stuff. In 15 teamers, he’s likely rostered already, but in shallower leagues, I would recommend a grab-and-stash if you have room. He’s the closer of the future, which might be this week in the Twin Cities. Stay tuned.
AL West
In Oakland, the job remains with Lou Trivino. However congratulations to Dany Jimenez who earned his first save ever on a day when Trivino was unavailable last week.
Many eyes have been on Texas, watching their closer situation, especially after manager Chris Woodward announced at the end of Spring Training that he did not want to use Joe Barlow in the role initially. This made it seem that veterans Greg Holland and Matt Bush would be in line for saves. However, Woodward announced that Bush would be an opener Friday night. This one looks to still be up in the air, but for those of you who drafted Barlow, hang on to him for now. He appears to be their best option. The question will be how Woodward uses his guys.
Seattle continues to perplex and frustrate fantasy players. Drew Steckenrider and Paul Sewald seem destined to swap roles at this point of the year. In a 5-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, Andres Munoz got the sixth (and hit 102 MPH, by the way), Diego Castillo the seventh, Steckenrider the eighth, and Sewald the ninth. All of these arms have value depending on league context, with Munoz and Castillo good holds targets. Steckenrider and Sewald figure to have double-digit saves and holds this year. And keep in mind Ken Giles will be lurking after he recovers from his finger injury. Forecasting this bullpen takes a strong stomach.
NL East
Corey Knebel missed a game last week with Covid-19, ceding his role to Brad Hand. But he’s back in top spot this week. Interesting to note that Philadelphia has a number of relief pitchers with at least some closing experience, led by Hand, Jeurys Familia and Seranthony Dominguez, should Knebel struggle at all.
NL Central
Last week David Robertson got the first save of the season for the Chicago Cubs, and the first of the season in MLB. However, earlier this week, manager David Ross turned to Mychal Givens, who converted for his first save. As we said before the season started, expect continued committee work here unless someone runs away with this job.
Moving east and south to Cincinnati, things have not been stable in the bullpen. Tony Santillan got the first opportunity, and he converted on Opening Day. On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers battered him for three runs and a walk in one-third of an inning. Manager David Bell was mum on his plans, but he has Art Warren waiting for an opportunity, and Lucas Sims is out on a rehab assignment this weekend and should return soon. This one could get interesting, but we think the job belongs to Sims when he is healthy and ready. Watch and see what happens here.
NL West
