Saves and Steals: Deadline Fallout: Part 2
When last we met, Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard had just lost their jobs via trade. Jonathan Papelbon received a modest upgrade in value when he joined the Nationals. There was still two days left before the trade deadline. Aroldis Chapman and Craig Kimbrel were still on the trade block.
The Reds and Padres decided to keep their stud relievers. However, the Tigers opted to part with Joakim Soria, destabilizing an already shaky bullpen. He’s now setting up Mark Melancon in Pittsburgh. Temporary Braves closer Jim Johnson was sent to the Dodgers where he’ll work ahead of Kenley Jansen. Other clubs like the Blue Jays (Mark Lowe), Twins (Kevin Jepsen), and Cubs (Tommy Hunter) opted to acquire depth rather than a ninth inning guy.
A few rabbits also joined new teams, headlined by Ben Revere. The fleet outfielder will join a dynamic Blue Jays lineup. It looks like he’ll bat at the bottom of the order, but they designated Danny Valencia to ensure Revere has an every day role. Carlos Gomez‘s season just got more exciting. He joined the Astros. It’s a power-centric team. Don’t expect many stolen bases.
The Dodgers pulled off an odd three-team trade. One of the pieces headed their way is utility man Jose Peraza. The speedy prospect is a near lock to join the club as a September pinch runner. He could continue to fill that role into the postseason if they like his defense.
Tier 1: Elite (4)
Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers
Andrew Miller, New York Yankees
Craig Kimbrel, San Diego Padres
Three saves, six strikeouts, and three innings for Chapman. He did allow a run in a nail biter on Saturday. The Pirates loaded the bases but failed to squeeze across the one run needed to force extra innings. It’s extremely unlikely that Chapman will be traded in August. The Phillies have first claim at the moment, and I can’t imagine they’d pass him up.
Jansen is in the midst of a cold stretch, but I’m not yet ready to move him down the board. Despite allowing a run in each of his last three appearances, he did not blow a save. He locked down two saves. With 15.86 K/9 and 1.35 BB/9, he remains incredibly elite.
Dellin Betances and Miller combined for a blown save on Thursday. First Betances allowed the base runner then Miller let him score. The blown save goes to Betances, the loss belongs to Miller. They’re still both elite relievers.
Kimbrel worked three days in a row from Thursday to Saturday. He had two saves sandwiched around a blown save via solo home run. After a terrible start to the year, he now has a 2.76 ERA with 12.33 K/9 and 3.19 BB/9. He’s no longer a contender for top reliever, but he’s still excellent.
Tier 2: The Upside Crowd (6)
David Robertson, Chicago White Sox
Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles
Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates
Jeurys Familia, New York Mets
Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals
Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians
Robertson has allowed a run in three straight appearances. The most recent damage resulted in a loss. His stuff seems fine, he just ran into a little trouble with walks. Britton closed out his two save opportunities. He also allowed a solo home run in his lone non-save situation.
Melancon has a win, a save, and a hold in the last week. The hold makes for an interesting story. Melancon came in for the ninth of a 3-0 game on Sunday and promptly gave up a double to Jay Bruce. After getting one out via ground ball, he hit a batter. In came Soria. The deadline acquisition slammed the door with two quick outs. The usage looks alarming for Melancon owners, but fear not. The hit batter triggered an automatic ejection because both benches were warned earlier in the game.
Rosenthal earned a win and a save in two appearances. The Cardinals are doing what they can to keep him sharp for the postseason. The extra rest means save opportunities for Kevin Siegrist and Steve Cishek.
Allen notched two saves and a loss. He allowed only one run on Sunday, but it was all the A’s needed for the victory. He’s still an excellent source of strikeouts if his owner is getting edgy.
Tier 3: The Mid-Tier (9)
Ken Giles, Philadelphia Phillies
Jonathan Papelbon, Washington Nationals
Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins
Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals
Huston Street, Los Angeles Angels
Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers
Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox
Luke Gregerson, Houston Astros
A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins
Since the Papelbon trade, Giles has converted three saves with five strikeouts and four base runners allowed. Papelbon is two for two in save opportunities, but he’s allowed two runs (one earned). The Nationals’ newly installed fireman is likely to save more games than Giles over the rest of the season. However, Giles is probably a better source for strikeouts and ratios.
Perkins has suffered through some hiccups lately. I’m not quite ready to move him down the rankings yet, but we’re getting close. He’s allowed at least one run in four of his last six appearances. His last three outings have included four home runs. If something is wrong, it’s not showing up in his PITCHf/x data. Deadline acquisition Jepsen may be next in line. Or perhaps it’s Trevor May.
This mortal version of Holland is off-putting. At this point, there is no doubt that Wade Davis is better than him. So too are Kelvin Herrera and Ryan Madson. Will the Royals find an excuse to oust Holland before October? We’ll see. He had a fine week with two saves in two appearances. He walked two more batters, raising his season rate to 5.23 BB/9.
Rodriguez looked like a lock for a July trade. He may still be dealt in August. On the season, he’s quietly posted an excellent 1.42 ERA with 10.18 K/9 and 2.13 BB/9. He snagged a save in his lone opportunity last week.
The Astros reportedly worked hard to acquire Chapman or Kimbrel at the deadline. Their failure is good news for Gregerson owners. The only reliever on the August market who could push him aside if Francisco Rodriguez. I have to imagine they would have acquired him as part of the Carlos Gomez trade if they had wanted him. Gregerson earned a win and a save last week.
Ramos has suffered two straight meltdowns, but his role in the Marlins bullpen may be more secure than a week ago. That’s because Carter Capps is out with a minor elbow injury. He’s expected to resume throwing in a few days. Ramos allowed four runs on Friday then picked up a blown save vulture win on Sunday. All told, he coughed up six runs on three hits and three walks. He also struck out seven in 3.1 innings. No need to panic just yet.
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