[closing_time_2019 list_id=”30584″ include_stats=”1″]
- Ryan Brasier had zero saves this week while Matt Barnes had 1 last night with Brasier pitching the 8th. I still think this is heading towards a 75/25 split depending on matchups.
- Blake Parker had a good two-save week, while Taylor Rogers had 0. This is likely headed to a 75/25 split as well, with Parker on the right side of the platoon.
- Hector Neris had an up and down week, but was still the only Philly reliever to have a save. While he’s definitely trending in the right direction as far as saves go, just remember this is the Phillies and things can change at any moment.
- With Cody Allen landing on the IL with a back injury, it should open up the job to Ty Buttrey, but we might see Hansel Robles or even Luis Garcia mix in as well. Buttrey’s been great this year and after finishing last season as the team’s closer, he should be the frontrunner.
- A.J. Minter is clearly not right at the moment and may not see a save chance for a while after getting pulled this past weekend after allowing two hits. Luke Jackson replaced him and got the final two outs to pick up his first save of the season and could see some work this week in the role while Minter figures things out. Jacob Webb picked up a save last night, but with both Jackson and Minter seemingly off after pitching back to back days, so I wouldn’t read too much into this.
- The Rays closer position seemingly went full-blown committee this past week with Emilio Pagan and Diego Castillo alternating between roles and Jose Alvarado strictly seeing set-up work. This looks like a mess now—Alvarado has 4 saves on the year while Castillo and Pagan have 3 a piece. I think all three have a case to be owned in 12+ team leagues, as each one is pitching extremely well this season, but I understand if you’d rather just stay out of this.
Surely Will Smith’s handcuff should be listed as either Moronta or Melancon.
Seems identical to the Rangers’ situation last year; LeClerc was destined to be the closer since early ‘17 but the Rangers took 15 months to give him the gig so that they could build value for a few other relievers and season the beast. (Not worried about his bad start (Yet.))
Here we see Will Smith performing well in the closers role, Melancon getting the proverbial “he’ll get save ops soon”, and Moronta pitching the highest leverage portion of the lineups, while Sam Dyson putts around with some decent numbers.
My take: Will Smith has trade value right now, Melancon is ready to build trade value so they can offload his contract, they’ll take whatever they can get for Dyson, and Moronta has been the forecasted closer since last season and will have a few years of dominance in him.
I’ll buy Moronta as a top 15 SV/HLD player, top 5 Holds player, and in any format that you can retain players from year to year regardless of Holds counting.
I like your thinking, but I think Dysons going to be easier to move than Melancon. Melancon’s trade value is still non-existent given his horrible contract and diminished skills. When Smith needed a day off it was Dyson who got the call which is why I listed him next to Smith instead of Moronta. Moronta’s definitely the second best reliever there, but there’s no reason for a Giants team needing a rebuild to rush him into the closer role anytime soon to jack up his arbitration cost.
The opposite is true for the Rays. Owners shouldn’t want to stay out, they should want to double-down. If you own Alvarado, hopefully you grabbed one of the other two. And the same can be said for Castillo-Pagan duo. Wherever I own one, I grabbed another and have been extremely happy!
In close games for the Angels I’ve been seeing Buttrey coming in in the 7th 8th inning before Robles, pretty much every instance. Definitely not a clear cut situation, but why are people assuming Buttrey is higher on the pecking order than Robles?
I appreciate the vote of confidence for Treinen after some serious control issues lately
Currently own Doolittle, Leclerc, and Roenis in a saves only league. I have an offer for Chapman for my Carpenter. Already have Voit I can start at 1B and Suarez at 3B.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated
I think given the situation with Leclerc now, I’d make that deal
Rick, nice job warning us about AJ Minter looking bad even when he was getting decent results, before his recent blowups. I held off a bit after reading your advice. Super happy I did as he probably would’ve cost me a matchup.
Thank you Jaybird, but fwiw, he looked pretty good last night…
Even better, thanks. I’ll keep a close eye on both he and Strop.
Ugh…what to do with Leclerc? 12-team league with 9 pitchers (6-7 starters + 2-3 closers). He’s my 3rd closer (along with Yates & Colome).
Sit tight and and pray? Or cut bait, and roll the dice with one of the “Next In Line” folks?