Closer Report for Week 13: Oh, Rosenthal, Estevez, Ramos and others

I couldn't get to the Closer Report last week, as my week at my real job was very busy, and it will probably continue being busy, so that explains why I haven't been writing as much as I used to. We had one big change in the closer roles this week, and it is one that I have been writing about quite a bit in these reports.

The Cardinals have finally seen enough of Trevor Rosenthal in the ninth inning for the time being, as he has been removed as the Cardinals closer. Manager Mike Matheny stated after he demoted Rosenthal that he would go to a closer by committee, a committee that will include Seung-Hwan Oh, Kevin Siegrist and Jonathan Broxton. I think Oh will get the first few opportunities to close, and apparently, he was warming up in the 8th inning of Sunday's game before the Cardinals scored a few more runs to blow open a close game with the Mariners. Oh has been the fifth best reliever in the game this season according to fWAR, and is striking out more than 12 batters per nine and limiting the free pass. He possesses the skills you want to see in your ninth inning reliever, unlike Rosenthal who was walking almost eight batters per nine innings (7.88 BB/9).

Rockies manager Walt Weiss was non-committal to giving the closer job back to Jake McGee when he returns from the disabled list in the next week or so. McGee has been pretty awful this season, barely striking out six batters per nine, and allowing a .347 BABIP. Carlos Estevez, who can bring the heat, has been pretty good in his stay as the Rockies closer, saving four of his five save opportunities. I could see the Rockies easing McGee back into the closer role upon his return from the DL, with Estevez closing. One pitcher to keep your eye on is Adam Ottavino who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in Triple A at the moment. He is one who could claim the job in the second half of the season.

Now is the time of the year where you will start to hear more and more about closers and relievers being on the trade block or involved in trade rumors. Here is a list of closers who could be traded by July 31st, and who i would grab now in case said closer is traded:

Aroldis Chapman / Andrew Miller - The Yankees will most certainly deal one of these two relievers, with Miller being the more valuable trade asset. I assume Dellin Betances is already owned, but if he isn't, he is the guy to grab. No surprises here.

Arodys Vizcaino - the Braves will more than likely look to deal Vizcaino, looking for a Ken Giles-like return, but will settle for a couple Top 100 prospects instead. The guy to grab in the Braves pen is Jim Johnson, who after a rough few innings in May, has been pretty dominant in June, pitching to a 0.75 ERA and an 11-2 strikeout to walk rate in 12.2 innings.

Fernando Rodney - the Padres will listen to offers for Rodney, who has pitched very well this season, surprisingly. He has given up just one earned run all season. Ryan Buchter and his huge strikeout rate is the guy to own in the Padres pen should Rodney change uniforms in July.

Jeanmar Gomez - the Phillies will try to squeeze anything from a willing trade partner for Gomez, who is having a career year with 20 saves and a low 3.00 ERA. He just isn't your typical dominating closer, yet the Phillies have a few young relievers in Hector Neris and recently called up Edubray Ramos, who could take over for him should he be traded between now and the end of July. Ramos was pretty dominant in the minors this season, saving 10 games with a 41-4 strikeout to walk rate in 38.2 innings between AA and AAA.

Week 13 Closer Rankings

Fantasy Rundown

If you are looking for more fantasy baseball and football coverage, make sure you check out Fantasy Rundown, where you can find links to all of the best fantasy coverage on the internet.