Saves and Steals: Trade Deadline Bedlam
Mayhem! Pandemonium! Closer bedlam! I’ve never seen a crazier week in the land of closers. There are nine new closers since last Wednesday. We have big names returning to ninth inning roles, trades unseating quality arms, and plain old fashion demotions. With so much to cover, let’s get straight to business.
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Tier 1: Elite (6)
Aroldis Chapman, Chicago Cubs
Andrew Miller, Cleveland Indians
Dellin Betances, New York Yankees
Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles
Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers
Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox
A couple weeks ago, the elite tier was a couple injuries away from vanishing. Now it’s stronger than ever – mostly because the Yankees disaggregated their three-headed monster. It’s stunning to think the top three closers were recently in one bullpen.
After dealing a stack of talent for Chapman, the Cubs said they’re damned well going to get their money’s worth. They used Chapman five times in the last week. He earned a couple saves and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings. He also blew a save while pitching in the eighth inning on Saturday.
Miller allowed a solo home run in his Cleveland debut. He recorded just one out. It was his only appearance of the week. I expect Miller to be used semi-situationally. Cody Allen is liable to get a few saves over the rest of the year. I want to see how Terry Francona manages his relief aces before tinkering with Miller’s ranking.
Betances picked up his first save of the season in his only outing. The stud righty has a tasty 15.78 K/9 to go with a 2.45 ERA and 2.63 BB/9.
I feel like I’m spiting Britton and Jansen by ranking them fourth and fifth. They’re both in the midst of epically fantastic seasons. They just don’t produce the same strikeout numbers as the top three.
Kimbrel brings the strikeouts, but he’s also bringing the runs. After missing nearly a month, Kimbrel earned a save on Monday. He struck out the side.
Tier 2: Nearly Elite (6)
Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners
Roberto Osuna, Toronto Blue Jays
Ken Giles, Houston Astros
Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals
Mark Melancon, Washington Nationals
Jeurys Familia, New York Mets
The second tier also expanded with three potentially elite relievers. This is an aggressive ranking of Diaz. He has top reliever quality numbers with 18.00 K/9, 2.77 BB/9, and a 1.73 ERA. And by top reliever, I mean better than Chapman quality. Diaz earned his first save of the season yesterday, striking out the side in the process. He’s struck out the side in four of his last seven outings.
Osuna pitched thrice, tallying a save and five strikeouts in three scoreless innings. The Blue Jays have announced plans to move Aaron Sanchez into the bullpen after a couple more starts. Osuna’s role should be secure, and it’ll help to have more quality arms ahead of him.
Since the end of April, Giles has cruised to a 2.20 ERA with 13.50 K/9 and 2.76 BB/9. This is the second straight season he scuffled through April before rebounding. MechaGiles tossed three innings last week in non-save situations. He allowed a hit and a walk to go with eight strikeouts. He last allowed a run on June 18.
Herrera rightfully deserves a closer job – even over Wade Davis. The righty has finally figured out how to use his big stuff to record strikeouts. He has 11.33 K/9, 1.32 BB/9 and a 1.51 ERA in 47.2 innings. He picked up saves on Monday and Tuesday. Joakim Soria may be on call today.
Melancon’s addition to the Nationals roster ousted a struggling Jonathan Papelbon. Personally, I’m sort of surprised Papelbon is still on the team. Given his history as a clubhouse disaster, it might be better for the club (and Melancon’s throat) if Papelbon just went away. Melancon made his Washington debut on Monday in a non-save situation.
Familia had his worst week of the season, blowing saves on consecutive days last Wednesday and Thursday. He’s since rebounded with a save on Sunday and a clean outing on Monday. His gaudy saves total (37) helps to offset his merely adequate 3.02 ERA, 9.24 K/9, and 4.09 BB/9.
Tier 3: Good Veterans (5)
Alex Colome, Tampa Bay Rays
A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins
David Robertson, Chicago White Sox
Sam Dyson, Texas Rangers
Francisco Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers
It’s good to see at least one tier resist the effects of chaos. All five “Good Veterans” are right where I left them last time.
Colome had a banner week – four saves in 3.2 scoreless innings. He also struck out six batters. Brad Boxberger is back from the disabled list, but Colome is completely safe (for now).
Ramos didn’t save anything this week, but his future job security did improve. The Marlins dealt stud reliever Carter Capps to San Diego. The hopping fireballer is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Capps was slated to oust Ramos this spring before succumbing to injury. As long as Kyle Barraclough remains hopelessly wild, Ramos should be safe in his role in 2017.
Robertson appeared in trade rumors, but a deal never materialized. It’s too bad for Nate Jones owners. Robertson was fine in two appearances this week – one save, one strikeout, and one walk allowed.
Dyson posted a nearly identical line to Robertson – two saves, one strikeout, and one walk allowed in two innings. The deadline acquisition of Jeffress gives him some immediate competition. Dyson’s efficacy has been trailing off. Actually, his numbers are looking decidedly Jeffress-y.
