Closer Report: Edwin Diaz, Ken Giles, Cam Bedrosian and others

It's been a few weeks since I updated my closer rankings, as I was on vacation during the trade deadline, as usual. It just so happens that I am usually off the week of the trade deadline, as we usually take the last week of July or first week in August off.

Well, last week we saw more closers traded at the trade deadline than I can remember. Here is a list of closers who were traded by the August 1st trade deadline.

Aroldis Chapman - Cubs

Andrew Miller - Indians

Jeremy Jeffress - Rangers

Mark Melancon - Nationals

Brad Ziegler - Red Sox

Fernando Rodney - Marlins

Along with those closers being traded, we had several others losing the job including Steve Cishek in Seattle, Will Harris in Houston and Huston Street in Los Angeles (AL).

With all these changes, there were plenty of changes in my rankings and in the set up guys behind them this week.

The closer making the biggest move in my rankings is the Mariners Edwin Diaz. The former starting pitching prospect was called up to work in the bullpen and it was a matter of time before Steve Cishek lost the role, as he is one of the more inconsistent closers in the game. Diaz has been absolutely dominating since his call up, striking out 53 and walking 8 in 29 innings of work. He leads all relievers with a 45.2% strikeout percentage, and ranks second behind Indians new closer Andrew Miller with a 38.7 K-BB%. Dominating.

A few weeks ago, I decided to waive my $33 Ken Giles, as he was lost behind Will Harris and Luke Gregerson in the Astros bullpen. Fast forward a few weeks and my worst nightmare has come true. He is now closing after several Harris implosions. Giles has pitched better than his ERA indicates this season, as his strikeout rate has increased and his walk rate has dropped.

After a few blowups from veteran closer Huston Street, the Angels made a change, a change many expected, by installing Cam Bedrosian as their new guy in the ninth inning. Bedrosian has been lights out in his 40+ innings this season, striking out 11 batters every nine innings while limiting the free pass and the long ball. He is no stranger in handling the ninth inning duties, as he was a closer throughout the minors.

Braves closer Jim Johnson has turned things around since the beginning of June and has saved eight games since taking over the role for Arodys Vizcaino, currently on the disabled list. But, Vizcaino is due back soon, possibly by the end of this week or early next week, and one of them could be traded by the August 31st waiver trade deadline. Mauricio Cabrera is one of two relievers who owns an average fastball in the triple digits, and I am sure you know who the other guy is.

Rockies closer Carlos Estevez blew a save last week, and with Adam Ottovino waiting for his shot at the ninth inning role, many were wondering if Estevez would lose the role, but manager Walt Weiss is sticking with him for the time being.

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