[closing_time list_id=”22854″ season=”2018″ include_stats=”1″]
The Tigers placed closer Shane Greene on the DL with a shoulder strain yesterday, opening the door for Joe Jimenez to potentially run away with the job, as long as he starts pitching well again that is. Before Monday afternoons game, Jimenez had a 2.77 ERA and 1.08 WHIP to go with an appealing 44/9 K/BB rate on the year. Then, in his first save chance since Greene was placed on the DL, he walked three batters (one intentional) and allowed a double, subsequently being credited with his first blown save since early May. I still have a ton of faith in him going forward, and while we could chalk up the walks today to potential jitters from the fact he is now the teams closer but the past week has been really bad (3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4 K). It’s a bad time to go cold, but I’d still buy in here where he is available as a potential top 12-15 closer the rest of the season depending on Greene’s healthy/trade status.
- In committee news, there hasn’t been a whole lot of change in the Astros bullpen, but with Hector Rondon still, option 1A. I’m tempted to just skip out on the whole San Francisco mess at this point with Mark Melancon needing to be bailed out by Will Smith on Sunday. It should have been Melancon’s time to permanently hold the job, but in not doing so, makes the situation even murkier. While Melancon’s stock continues trending down, Smith has been amazing all year and probably the best stash out of the bunch.
- A lot of injury news this past week, headlined by the returns of Arodys Vizcaino and Brandon Morrow. Both injuries were on the mild side, especially Morrows, while Vizcaino hasn’t pitched in over two weeks and might be a little rusty this week but should be fine moving forward. Ryan Tepera was also placed on the DL this weekend with elbow inflammation with Tyler Clippard likely to see the bulk of save chances until Tepera or Roberto Osuna return.
- Edwin Diaz was the only reliever with 4 saves this week, however, Sergio Romo did notch 3 saves and a hold. Romo’s worked out just fine for the Rays switching from opener to closer, but keep an eye on Diego Castillo in that bullpen if Romo falters at any point.
What is with dominguez in the top 10? Imo he is still in the honeymoon phase of his career and I dont think you can trust those stats… Not to mention that kapler is determined to wreck that bullpen. I havent even seen him pitch but that seems high. He is just the new neris right?
Top 3 among active closers this season in SwStr%, Z-Contact, SIERA, FIP, xFIP, GB%, K/BB, and Hard Contact rate. Reminds me a lot of Edwin Diaz two years ago and until further notice, he’s locked in as the Phillies closer with no competition (4 saves the past two weeks put him in a tie for 6th most in baseball).
Currently rolling with Knebel, Iglesias, Familia, Rodney and Britton in 9-tm mixed roto, and locked in a tight battle with two other teams in the middle of the saves category, with 4 saves separating the top from the bottom of that group. Given recent performance trends, and abundant trade risk for Britton, Iglesias, and Familia, am I better off dropping Britton to add Jimenez? (alternatively, I could try to trade surplus hitting assets for a more established closer, but trading is tough in a league this shallow)
I’d definitely add Jimenez, and wouls drop anyone but Knebel to make it happen. Britton makes some sense since he’s likely the least valuable short term but I do think he could still figure things out as the season progresses.
Why is Britton so high? He’s been shaky plays for a bad team and don’t you think if he is traded he goes to set up role?
Mostly because of his history and what the reports were like during his rehab. I think he may just need to shake of some rust but the diminished velocity is obviouslt concerning. As long as he continues to struggle he’ll continue to fall on this list but I’m still holding out hope for a rebound.
A bit surprised to still see Rondon next up for the ChiSox the way he’s been pitching lately (last 7 appearances: 4 IP, 14 H, 15 ER, 11 BB, 4 K). I realize there aren’t a lot of options with Jones on the DL, but Fry still seems like a safer bet despite his relative inexperience.
Thats a good call, I actually had meant to change that to Juan Minaya, who has been pitching better since being recalled and has experience in the role.