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Every week I take a look at the going's on in the life of relief pitching in fake baseball. This week, like the ever growing trend of this year to date the relief pitching corps are in constant in flux. So have a gander at how I would rank the best conclusionary pitchers and the guys that set them up.
- The A's bullpen is in whomever/whenever mode now that they realized what we all knew. Brian Fuentes isn't a big league closer. Pick a name that is in the bullpen right now and he may have an outside shot at the once in a blue moon save that the A's actually garner. Ryan Cook, Sean Doolittle and Grant Balfour are all candidates at this point. Personally it should be Balfour followed by Cook, but what do I know.
- Sergio Santos return is being delayed even further. Casey Janssen has done a pretty decent job for a set-up guy turned closer and should continue to be rostered.
- Aroldis Chapman is proving to be human after giving up earned runs in consecutive innings. The wear and tear may be catching up with him and I can see a sporadic save situation here and there for the out-casted Sean Marshall.
- The closer situation in Seattle may pull a Henry the XIII. Brandon League will and should be inserted back into the role to increase his value before the deadline. The future is already in the bullpen in Tom Wilhelmsen and Stephen Pryor so they know what they have waiting for them. League could return a decent b level prospect when the time comes.
- Tyler Clippard has been nothing short of what we expected from him as a set-up guy this year. He is definitely moving up my rankings even though its still up in the air if he keeps the role when Drew Storen returns. He has 8 saves in as many chances over his last 10 games.
5. Joel Hanrahan
6. Chris Perez
7. Jason Motte
8. Jim Johnson
9. Kenley Jansen
10. J.J. Putz
11. Joe Nathan
12. Fernando Rodney
13. Santiago Casilla
14. Rafael Betancourt
15. Jose Valverde
16. Tyler Clippard
17. Rafael Soriano
18. Jonathan Broxton
19. Addison Reed
20. Alfredo Aceves
21. Frank Francisco
22. Heath Bell
23. Scott Downs / Ernesto Frieri
24. Brett Myers
25. Matt Capps
26. Casey Janssen
27. Huston Street
28. Brian Fuentes / Ryan Cook / Grant Balfour
29. Brandon League /Tom Wilhelmsen / Stephen Pryor
30. James Russell / Shawn Camp
HOLDS:
Tier 1.
Jonny Venters ATL
Mike Adams TEX
Sergio Romo SF
Vinnie Pestano CLE
Joaquin Benoit DET
Sean Burnett WAS
Ryan Cook OAK
Sean Marshall CIN
David Hernandez ARI
Jason Grilli PIT
Antonio Bastardo PHI
Tier 2:
Steve Cishek MIA
Tim Byrdak NYM
Edward Mujica MIA
Francisco Rodriguez MIL
Pedro Strop BAL
Eric O'Flaherty ATL
Aaron Crow KC
Alexi Ogando TEX
Vincente Padilla BOS
Joel Peralta TB
Josh Lindblom LAD
Bobby Parnell NYM
Matt Belisle COL
Tier 3:
Glen Perkins MIN
Greg Holland KC
Juan Cruz PIT
Bryan Shaw ARI
Randy Choate MIA
Andrew Cashner SD
Juan Cruz PIT
Joe Smith CLE
Cory Wade NYY
Kelvin Herrera KC
Matt Thornton CHW
Jose Arredondo CIN
Brad Ziegler ARI
Jesse Crain CHW
Andrew Miller BOS