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This is a weekly look at the status of closers and the guys that set them up. This week the injury bug has struck one of the upper tiered closers, what else is new. It is becoming more and more apparent to me that the theory of you don't pay for saves is the best motto to have. As that makes 5 mid round drafted closer only pitchers that have gone down either in preseason or during this short 4 week season. So sit back and read a spell as we catch up on the the week both ahead and behind's news in the relief pitching ranks.
- The aforementioned injury is to Sergio Santos. He has a shoulder impingement, and for someone who uses said shoulder to earn a paycheck that is never good news. Luckily the Blue Jays have an ex-closer in waiting in CoCo Cordero. He should have already been rostered in most formats and with this news he prolly he is, but go check anyways.
- Frank Francisco got the usually death null of being supported by the manager. Frank Frank isn't the steadiest of pitchers and tends to look very hittable in stints. We have to believe Terry Collins here until he blows another lead so stand fast, for now. Jon Rauch looks like the pick up in the time being, with Bobby Parnell getting some faint love.
- News in Boston is that Alfredo Aceves shouldn't be the closer, and that Daniel Bard should be moved to the bullpen. Didn't we all say this a month ago when Bailey went on the DL. Definitely a situation to monitor as they may fill the need internally or explore a trade here eventually as Aceves doesn't seem to be the answer IMO.
- In Washington, Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez still continue to split the closing duties. This despite Lidge being diagnosed with a case of vertigo. This is a situation that won't reveal itself until one or the other ends up on the DL. No word on Kim Novak's status.
- Greg Holland everyone's next closer in waiting has struggled early on and has been put on the DL. Jonathon Broxton has done quite well, KC hasn't reall lit up the sky with save chances to date so stand firm by Broxton.
- The SF closer situation is muddled at best only because Bochy and his head tend to over think. Santiago Casilla is the first choice here, with Javier Lopez and Clay Hensley in play due to situation and work load. Deeper leagues could prolly flip a coin and roster either guy here as they will see the occasional chance.
- No changes at the top. These guys are what you drafted for so far. It's early and save chances come and go but in the end this is the group you wanna own at least one from.
6. J.J. Putz
7. Jason Motte
8. Joel Hanrahan
9. Rafael Betancourt
10. Javy Guerra
11. Brandon League
12. Huston Street
13. Sean Marshall
14. Chris Perez
15. Heath Bell
- Minus some chances here this group is steady as it goes. Hanrahan is looking murky, for accumulation, as the Pirates don't score any runs.
- Chris Perez is slowly becoming more reliable as he has 6 consecutive save chances. He also hasn't given up a run since his opening week implosion.
- The Diamondbacks keep pawning off save chances to Brian Shaw on the days where both Putz and Hernandez seemed to be over worked. It is a nothing to see here yet scenario as Shaw is merely a fill in, If all went to hell I think Hernandez would be the everyday guy.
16. Jim Johnson
17. Carlos Marmol
18. Hector Santiago
19. Joe Nathan
20. Jordan Walden
21. Fernando Rodney
22. Frank Francisco
23. Grant Balfour
- Jim Johnson keeps plugging along for the overachieving O's. He is 7-7 in save chances and has no real competition behind him.
- Walden has only seen one save opportunity in the Angels first 14 games. Not good for counting stats. It's still early he will still end up with around 25-30 for the year.
- Hector Santiago shook off some cob webs last week and the bullpen situation in Chi-town is looking very strong once everyone settles into their roles. With Crain, Reed and Thornton they form a very solid back 4 in the run for the wild card out of the AL Central.
24. Jonathan Broxton
25. Matt Capps
26. Brett Myers
27. Santiago Casilla
28. Alfredo Aceves
29. Henry Rodriguez / Brad Lidge
30. Francisco Cordero
- While Matt Capps isn't a world beater by any means. He is the poor man's Jim Johnson, as he doesn't really have anyone pushing besides Glen Perkins, who himself has been shaky.
- The situations in SF and Was are very similar. If they just picked one guy they would be in the next group.
- CoCo debuts at the bottom this week because who knows how long he will be in this role. Santos is going to visit Dr. Yocum today so news could be a titter later.
Tier 1.
Jonny Venters ATL
Mike Adams TEX
David Robertson NYY
Sergio Romo SF
Eric O'Flaherty ATL
Tyler Clippard WAS
Vinnie Pestano CLE
Aroldis Chapman CIN
Joaqiun Benoit DET
Alexei Ogando TEX
Tier 2:
Mitchell Boggs STL
Marc Rzeczypnski STL
Matt Thornton CHW
Kenley Jansen LAD
David Hernandez ARI
Edward Mujica MIA
Antonio Bastardo PHI
Addison Reed CHW
Scott Downs ANA
Glen Perkins MIN
Tier 3:
Ryan Cook OAK
Matt Guerrier LAD
Rafael Soriano NYY
Steve Chisek MIA
Joe Smith CLE
Jesse Crain CHW
Andrew Cashner SD
Brian Shaw ARI
Tony Sipp CLE
Chad Qualls PHI
Tom Wilhelmsen SEA
Jason Frasor TOR
Questions, comments or add/drop questions about relievers are always welcome.