Several Teams Could Go With a Committee Approach at Closer

June 14, 2016, 3:23 pm

≫ Next: Closer Changes Pick Up Steam As Trade Deadline Nears

≪ Previous: Sergio Romo Could Take Over Closer Role Soon

When you consider that my strategy entering a Fantasy baseball season is to secure one closer that I’m pretty sure will keep the job all season, and then gamble on a second closer later in my draft, I understand that odds are I will have to deal with closer issues for one reason or another as the season rolls along. I know this going in, so I can’t complain or be caught off guard when the bad news happens. What I can’t stand, however, is when a team uses the committee approach to the ninth inning. I’m not saying this is bad managing or bad baseball, but it certainly makes it harder to choose who I should start each week. Even if a closer is bad, at least I know he will get the save chance if his team is up by three runs or less in the ninth; I can start him each week.

Tony Cingrani is the closer but he could be out at any moment. Photo Credit: Scott Kane Icon Sportswire

Now, however, we are seeing a few teams go with a committee. This can put a Fantasy owner in a padded room. You just know whichever reliever you pick will end up getting the hold and not the save. It does make sense baseball-wise. Hey, why pigeonhole yourself to one reliever who may have a bad matchup in the ninth when you can go with the reliever that gives you the best chance to win the game? I get it, really I do. It doesn’t make me any happier, though. Let’s take a look at some of these committees that have popped up.

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Closer Changes Pick Up Steam As Trade Deadline Nears

July 5, 2016, 5:06 pm

≫ Next: A Look at All 30 MLB Teams’ Closer Situations at the Break

≪ Previous: Several Teams Could Go With a Committee Approach at Closer

Is there anything that raises the antenna or draws the ire of a Fantasy owner more than when a closer gets traded from one team to another? The first thing we are worried about is whether he will close for his new team. The second thing is whether or not the current closer will then lose his job.

How many A.J. Ramos owners last week were caught in this predicament? Ramos was perfect in save opportunities this season. However, he blew his first save opportunity of the season immediately after the team acquired Fernando Rodney, who was also perfect in save opportunities this season for the Padres. This is what gives Fantasy owners heartburn.

The problem is, Rodney won’t be the last current closer dealt, so more heartburn is coming. The silly season is just about upon us, and trading will start in earnest after the All-Star Game next Tuesday. You’re really not safe in the saves category until Aug. 1.

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A Look at All 30 MLB Teams’ Closer Situations at the Break

July 13, 2016, 8:25 pm

≫ Next: The Yankees Control The Closer Market

≪ Previous: Closer Changes Pick Up Steam As Trade Deadline Nears

Since we are at the All-Star break and approximately half the season is over, I have decided to take a quick look at each team’s closer situation. Let’s get to it.

Arizona Diamondbacks, Tyler Clippard: The trade of Brad Ziegler to the Red Sox leaves the closer’s job in the hands of Clippard. Here’s a question for those Fantasy owners who rushed out to claim him. Assuming the Ziegler trade was the start of Arizona cleaning house, what makes you think Clippard won’t be the next to go? If that is the case, then Daniel Hudson could be next in line.

Atlanta Braves, Arodys Vizcaino: We are hearing that teams are asking about Vizcaino but the asking price is too high at this point. If he is dealt, he will likely be a setup guy for his new team, and Jim Johnson (if he isn’t also traded) would likely take over the closer role.

The post A Look at All 30 MLB Teams’ Closer Situations at the Break appeared first on RotoExperts.

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The Yankees Control The Closer Market

July 19, 2016, 2:24 pm

≫ Next: Trades Could Shuffle Closer Ranks For Many Teams

≪ Previous: A Look at All 30 MLB Teams’ Closer Situations at the Break

The Yankees control the closer market right now. They are still deciding whether or not they should sell off their assets before the trade deadline. A huge part of those assets are the big three they use to close out games. Aroldis Chapman is the closer. He is a free agent at season’s end and would almost certainly close for the team he is dealt to. This would mean his new team would lose their current closer and the Yankees would go back to Andrew Miller closing out games.

Miller, however, could also be on the move and may actually have more value than Chapman, as he has two more years and $18 million left on his contract. If the Yankees were to deal both Chapman and Miller, then Dellin Betances would close for the Yankees. Whether or not Miller would close for his new team probably comes down to how good the current closer is and whether the manager believes in going with one closer or deciding who closes depending upon whether left-handers or right-handers are due up in the ninth.

In the extremely unlikely event that the Yankees trade all three then I would just start concentrating on your football rankings. The Yankees love Betances and he is still under team control, so it would likely take a truckload of prospects for the Yankees to move him. The teams mentioned the most in a deal for Chapman or Miller are the Cubs, Indians, Rangers, and Washington.

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Trades Could Shuffle Closer Ranks For Many Teams

July 27, 2016, 10:25 am

≫ Next: Ottavino and Rodney Closing Again | Jeffress and Street May Be Next

≪ Previous: The Yankees Control The Closer Market

The Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline is Monday afternoon. We have already seen one huge deal, as the Yankees shipped Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs for several prospects, but that seems unlikely to be the last deal we will see involving a current closer. Now may be the time to grab certain setup men and we will go over quite a few teams that could make a move involving a top reliever. The Yankees were able to extract a very high price for what is essentially a rental, so that may scare away certain teams from making a similar move. This is what general managers get paid for; to make these all-in decisions. Fantasy owners shouldn’t be afraid to gamble either; it’s how championships are won, and yes, also lost.

Arizona Diamondbacks: One or both of Tyler Clippard and Daniel Hudson could be moved. They would likely be fall back options for those teams that fail to acquire one of the top end closers that may be available. In the event that both are dealt, Randall Delgado looks to be next in line but that is far from written in stone. Clippard seems more likely to go than Hudson, as the latter has had trouble getting anyone out of late.

Andrew Miller will close for the Yankees unless he’s traded too. Photo Credit: Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire

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Ottavino and Rodney Closing Again | Jeffress and Street May Be Next

August 10, 2016, 10:43 am

≫ Next: Cody Allen Still Closing Games | Diaz Will Keep M’s Closer Job

≪ Previous: Trades Could Shuffle Closer Ranks For Many Teams

I don’t know what it is about closers. You would think that after the non-waiver deadline passed we would have a quiet week with no changes at this position. Well, not so much. We are in the dog days of August and there is a ton of pressure on managers to make a change if a closer struggles for a game or two. Carlos Estevez was the latest victim. He blew a save Monday and now doesn’t have a job. Some were calling for A.J. Ramos to be removed from the ninth inning before an injury made that move for them. Sam Dyson could be next, especially since the team acquired Jeremy Jeffress at the deadline. Volatile is not an accurate enough word to describe closers, especially in Fantasy baseball.

Adam Ottavino is the closer again, but be forewarned that control is the last thing to return after Tommy John surgery. Photo Credit: Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire

Atlanta Braves: The good news is that Arodys Vizcaino is on the way to recovering from his oblique injury but it is taking longer than expected for him to get over it. Still, he is expected to return to the Braves bullpen by the end of the month and should close out games again shortly after that. Jim Johnson remains the closer for the time being.

The post Ottavino and Rodney Closing Again | Jeffress and Street May Be Next appeared first on RotoExperts.

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Cody Allen Still Closing Games | Diaz Will Keep M’s Closer Job

August 16, 2016, 12:41 pm

≫ Next: Sam Dyson Could be the Next Closer Replaced

≪ Previous: Ottavino and Rodney Closing Again | Jeffress and Street May Be Next

As I was thinking about this column, I wondered how Fantasy owners will approach drafting a closer next season. This year there seems to have been more than the normal amount of upheaval at the position. If you include current injuries, only eight of the 30 MLB teams are using the same closer who had the position on Opening Day. Think about that for a minute. Almost 75 percent of MLB teams have changed their closer for one reason or another. There is going to be a lot of caution preached next season about closers. Don’t spend a high draft pick or spend a lot of your auction budget will be prevalent among them. I can’t think of another position in professional sports that has anywhere near the upheaval that the closer position does in baseball. It seems you need to be quite lucky now to survive without working the waiver wire.

Atlanta Braves: Arodys Vizcaino in on a rehab assignment and the Braves have stated that he will return to the team as soon as he completes three appearances. So he should be back with the big club in about a week. He is expected to regain the closing role shortly after that return. Jim Johnson is the current closer but he should go back to setting up Vizcaino. Those of you wondering if Johnson will get traded can slow your roll, as he was claimed off waivers and then pulled back by Atlanta.

Boston Red Sox: Craig Kimbrel missed a few days of action last week after being removed from a save situation due to soreness in his knee. Kimbrel was healthy enough to pitch over the weekend but the Sox didn’t need him. He was needed Monday, however, and even though he allowed the first two baserunners to reach, he rebounded to retire the next three and earn the save. He is once again safe to start in your lineup.

The post Cody Allen Still Closing Games | Diaz Will Keep M’s Closer Job appeared first on RotoExperts.

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Sam Dyson Could be the Next Closer Replaced

August 24, 2016, 10:33 am

≫ Next: Daniel Hudson Closing Games for D’Backs Again

≪ Previous: Cody Allen Still Closing Games | Diaz Will Keep M’s Closer Job

Finally, we have a quiet week at the closer position or at least quiet compared to what it’s been like over the past month or so. That doesn’t mean there isn’t any news; there is, but it’s more injury related than about someone losing their job. I’m sure this is now the kiss of death and next week a half dozen closers will lose their job, but we will cross that bridge if/when the time comes. This has been a strange year for closers, and those owners who abided by the “don’t pay for saves” rule were proven right this season. Will it be like this next year? I would like to think not, but in today’s game between TV coverage, radio coverage, and social media there is just so much pressure on not only the closer, but also the manager to make an immediate change if a save or two is blown. In this day and age, we are an instant gratification society, no patience, win now or else; so I really don’t expect this to change next year or in the immediate future as far as closers are concerned.

With the Rangers hoping for a playoff berth, Sam Dyson could be replaced if he blows another save chance. Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire

Atlanta Braves: Arodyz Vizcaino has gotten torched since coming off the disabled list. He has given up seven earned runs in 1.2 IP. This is not exactly what you want in a closer, setup man, or wiffle ball pitcher for that matter. Jim Johnson is still the closer for now and that may not change until if/when Vizcaino can string together a couple of solid outings in a row.

The post Sam Dyson Could be the Next Closer Replaced appeared first on RotoExperts.

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Daniel Hudson Closing Games for D’Backs Again

September 2, 2016, 11:47 am

≫ Next: Giants Struggling To Find a Consistent Closer

≪ Previous: Sam Dyson Could be the Next Closer Replaced

I recently returned from Hershey Park where there wasn’t a roller coaster that I didn’t go on. Well, the closing situation in baseball this season has been pretty much like a roller coaster. Some ups, some downs, lots quick turns and head jerking. The scary thing about this is I just don’t know if I see this changing all that much in the near future. As I’ve stated many times there is just too much pressure on everyone to close out games that everyone feels should be won.

We will talk about draft strategy before next season begins, but I know personally that I’m going to have a tough time drafting just about any closer early. I’m not going to spend much in my auction either. Sure, I will have my closers in tiers but those tiers may reflect job security more than how good a pitcher they are. I want a closer in my top tier that I think has a better than average shot at keeping the job all season. I will get worried about any closer who has another ace reliever on his team. There will just be very little room for error. I’ll be loading up on every position other than closer next year. I’ll find saves during the season.

Daniel Hudson is the D’Backs closer but he’s not a long-term solution. Photo Credit: Carlos Herrera/Icon Sportswire

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Giants Struggling To Find a Consistent Closer

September 14, 2016, 9:37 am

≫ Next: Targeting Relief Pitchers

≪ Previous: Daniel Hudson Closing Games for D’Backs Again

There was only one change at the closer position this week and that happened in San Francisco. It’s a little unusual to see a playoff contender change their closer this late in the season but this is a move that many have been assuming would happen at some point. The Giants were in the market for either a top setup man or closer at the trade deadline but ended up settling for Will Smith. Perhaps they should have tried harder to snag Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, or Mark Melancon.

Fantasy owners can also feel this pain over moves they could’ve made during the season. We all have regrets. It’s part of the game. It’s why when it comes to rooting for my favorite team, playing a game, or even in Fantasy, I’d rather get blown out than lose by a point. If you get blown out, there is no second guessing; you lost, such is life, move on. If you only lose by a point or two, you start replaying everything. What could you have done differently? It can drive you crazy. Once again, if you’re in the playoffs this week, good luck.

Hector Rondon, Chicago Cubs: The team’s former closer returned from a triceps injury last week. Obviously, he won’t get back his ninth inning role, not this season anyway; but he could be a source of holds if you need them.

Luke Gregerson, Houston Astros: Like Rondon for Chicago, the Astros’ former closer has returned from an injury (ankle) and could be another source for holds.

Hunter Strickland can have the Giants’ closer job but he hasn’t been very consistent. Photo Credit: Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire

Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics: Just another former closer who has returned from injury and will now be a setup man.

Seung Hwan Oh, St. Louis Cardinals: Oh is said to be dealing with a sore groin and his availability for the upcoming week is in question. He didn’t play this weekend and with the Cards struggling to make the playoffs, you know the injury has to be severe for him not to play. Trevor Rosenthal (shoulder) is expected to return at some point this week from the disabled list but don’t look for him to close out games if Oh isn’t ready. It’s more likely that either Jonathan Broxton or Kevin Siegrist will get the call.

San Francisco Giants: As mentioned above, the Giants have removed Santiago Casilla from the closer role. The question is, who will be the new closer? It doesn’t seem as though it’s Sergio Romo, as he pitched in the eighth inning over the weekend in what would’ve been a save situation. Hunter Strickland actually got the last four outs of the game to pick up the save. However, Tuesday night Strickland recorded the sixth blown save in 10 September chances. Strickland still seems like the guy to grab since the Giants don’t really have anyone else who’s pitched any better out of the bullpen. Strickland could have quite a bit of value down the stretch as a closer for a good team that often plays close games.

As always feel free to follow me on Twitter and ask any questions you like, @georgekurtz.

Team	Closer	Next in Line	Deep Potential	DL	Top Holds Reliever
ARI	Daniel Hudson	Josh Collmenter/Jake Barrett/Randall Delgado	Silvino Bracho		Randall Delgado
ATL	Jim Johnson	Ian Krol/Chris Withrow/Mauricio Cabrera/Arodys Vizcaino	Maricio Cabrera		Chris Withrow
BAL	Zach Britton	Brad Brach/Mychal Givens/Brian Duensing		Darren O’Day	Brad Brach
BOS	Craig Kimbrel	Junichi Tazawa/Robbie Ross/Brad Ziegler		Koji Uehara	Brad Ziegler
CHC	Aroldis Chapman	Justin Grimm/Travis Wood/Joe Smith/Hector Rondon	Neil Ramirez	Pedro Strop	Travis Wood
CHW	David Robertson	Jake Petricka/Zach Duke/Nate Jones/Zach Putnam	Daniel Webb		Nate Jones
CIN	Tony Cingrani	Carlos Contreras/Caleb Cotham/Ross Ohlendorf	Raisel Iglesias		Ross Ohlendorf
CLE	Cody Allen	Bryan Shaw/Andrew Miller/Jeff Manship/Austin Adams			Andrew Miller
COL	Adam Ottavino	Boone Logan/Chad Qualls/Justin Miller/Jason Motte/Jake McGee			Jake McGee
DET	Francisco Rodriguez	Mark Lowe/Justin Wilson/Alex Wilson			Justin Wilson
HOU	Ken Giles	Pat Neshek/Will Harris/Luke Gregerson	Josh Fields		Will Harris
KC	Wade Davis	Joakim Soria/Kelvin Herrera			Joakim Soria
LAA	Andrew Bailey	Mike Morin/Deolis Guerra		Huston Street/Cam Bedrosian	Mike Morin
LAD	Kenley Jansen	J.P. Howell/Chris Hatcher/Yimi Garcia/Pedro Baez/Joe Blanton			Chris Hatcher
MIA	Fernando Rodney	Bryan Morris/David Phelps/Mike Dunn/Kyle Barraclough/A.J. Ramos			A. J. Ramos
MIL	Tyler Thornburg	Michael Blazek/Corey Knebel	Yhonathan Berrios		Michael Blazek
MIN	Brandon Kintzler	Casey Fien/Ryan Pressly/Fernando Abad	Alex Meyer	Glen Perkins	Fernando Abad
NYM	Jeurys Familia	Addison Reed/Hansel Robles/Erik Goeddel/Jim Henderson/Fernando Salas			Addison Reed
NYY	Dellin Betances	Tyler Clippard/Chad Green/Adam Warren	Chad Green		Adam Warren
OAK	Ryan Madson	John Axford/Liam Hendricks/Fernando Rodriguez/Ryan Dull/Sean Doolittle			John Axford
PHI	Jeanmar Gomez	Dailer Hinojosa/Luis Garcia/Edward Mujica/David Hernandez	Hector Neris		Dailer Hinojosa
PIT	Tony Watson	Arquimedes Caminero/Neftali Feliz/Felipo Rivero	Jared Hughes		Jared Hughes
STL	Seung Hwan Oh	Seth Maness/Jonathan Broxton/Trevor Rosenthal		Trevor Rosenthal	Kevin Siegrist
SD	Brandon Maurer	Kevin Quackenbush/Nick Vincent/Ryan Buchter			Ryan Buchter
SF	Hunter Strickland	Santiago Casilla/Javier Lopez/George Kontos/Will Smith/Sergio Romo			Sergio Romo
SEA	Edwin Diaz	Drew Storen/Charlie Furbush/Steve Cishek			Drew Storen
TB	Alex Colome	Erasmo Ramirez/Steven Geltz/Enny Romero/Xavier Cedeno/Brad Boxberger			Brad Boxberger
TEX	Sam Dyson	Sam Freeman/Jake Diekman/Tom Wilhelmsen			Jake Diekman
TOR	Roberto Osuna	Aaron Loup/Brett Cecil/Joaquin Benoit/Jason Grilli			Joaquin Benoit
WSH	Mark Melancon	Rafael Martin/Aaron Barrett/Shawn Kelley	Shawn Kelley		Shawn Kelley

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Targeting Relief Pitchers

February 20, 2017, 1:31 pm

≫ Next: Mining Strong Bullpens for Fantasy Success

≪ Previous: Giants Struggling To Find a Consistent Closer

There are many different strategies when it comes to drafting relief pitchers. Although I don’t suggest it, you can get by in head-to-head leagues by punting the position at draft day. It’s difficult to win a competitive roto league without drafting closers.

It’s no fun chasing saves all year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find the category on the waiver wire. Jeanmar Gomez led the majors in saves for most of the season before finishing tied for eighth with 37. I wouldn’t count on 30 from him in 2017. In fact, I wouldn’t draft him, even though he was just named 2017 closer for the Phillies.

Sam Dyson did not begin Opening Day 2016 as the Rangers’ closer, yet he saved 38 ball games for them. The same can be said for Alex Colome and Seung Hwan Oh. That’s exactly why I aim to get someone among the Top 10 relievers and look for the upside or strikeouts from the position later in the draft.

The post Targeting Relief Pitchers appeared first on RotoExperts.

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Mining Strong Bullpens for Fantasy Success

February 25, 2017, 8:31 am

≫ Next: Crush or Flush Relief Pitchers

≪ Previous: Targeting Relief Pitchers

Baseball was, is, and always will be a game of numbers. When someone says the number 56, everyone knows it refers to Joe Dimaggio’s hitting streak, and when someone says .406, everyone knows the conversation is about the last time anyone batted over .400 for a season. When someone brings up the year 1918, everyone knows they are referring to the last time the Red Sox won a World Series prior to breaking the curse and winning three times, so far, in this new century. And, accomplishments like 3000 hits and 300 wins are sacred.

Baseball is a game of numbers, but if I said the number 1458, it wouldn’t immediately have any meaning for the average baseball fan; yet, it’s arguably the most important number every baseball executive and manager has to contend with every year. That number represents the number of innings each team will play during the course of the 162-game schedule. It is the number each team has to plan their pitching staff around.

It wasn’t uncommon for starting pitchers to pitch 250-300 innings, 50 or more years ago when there were only four man rotations, pitching on much less rest, and far more frequently. Then the five-man rotation was created, and the number of starts along with the number of innings a starter pitched began to decrease. Still, starters often went 200-250 innings per season. Oakland A’s starter, Dave Stewart had a five-year stretch in which he pitched 261, 275, 257, 267, and 226 innings. Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins starter Jack Morris had 11 seasons in which he pitched at least 235 innings. But those days are over.

The post Mining Strong Bullpens for Fantasy Success appeared first on RotoExperts.

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Crush or Flush Relief Pitchers

March 20, 2017, 10:28 am

≫ Next: Blake Treinen Named Nationals Closer | Tony Watson Shaky at Best

≪ Previous: Mining Strong Bullpens for Fantasy Success

I never focus on saves.

Obviously, I think about saves. I need to compete in the category. But we know that half the closers will either get hurt or lose their jobs. Plus, the leagues I play in allow for daily transactions, so I always have two to four talented set-up relievers in my lineup. A solid group can contribute more than 200 strikeouts per season and help in ERA/WHIP so that you can gamble on starters a bit more.

So, more often than not, I hunt for saves throughout the season. If I draft correctly and have a surplus of power hitters, I can always acquire a solid closer. But there are enough pitchers who emerge as their team’s closers that I never focus on saves during the draft. As with most positions, I focus on skills.

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Blake Treinen Named Nationals Closer | Tony Watson Shaky at Best

March 30, 2017, 9:27 am

≫ Next: Fernando Rodney: Ugly But Safe | Reds, Angels & A’s Go Committee

≪ Previous: Crush or Flush Relief Pitchers

Opening Day is just a few days away. I’m not sure if there are any sweeter words in the sports world unless a championship is involved. The good news is that, so far in spring training, we have had very little turnover at the closer position. This will change once the games count but for those Fantasy leagues that drafted early, you’re not in too bad a shape. One thing to watch going into the season is that there are several teams (Cincinnati, Colorado, Angels, Washington) that may be going with a closer by committee. Perhaps they are just being coy, not wanting to give away who will attempt to close out games, or perhaps they really don’t know who that player will be. There still isn’t anything wrong with grabbing someone on that committee, just be ready to move on if/when the player you have isn’t the one entrusted with getting the final three outs.

Blake Treinen will be the Nationals’ Opening Day closer. Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire

Blake Treinen/Koda Glover, Washington Nationals: The Nationals have finally named their closer, but he’s not the choice most analysts expected. They Nationals have been the team most associated with a potential deal to acquire David Robertson of the White Sox. It’s believed they just don’t trust Shawn Kelley in the role, so Koda Glover was the one pitcher most analysts thought would get the nod. Manager Dusty Bake has a deep history of not trusting rookies and young inexperienced players, so it’s not a surprise that Glover will be used as a setup man instead. Treinen is a groundball inducing machine. Last season, his groundball percentage was 65.9 percent, second only to Zach Britton (80 percent) among closers. Treinen hasn’t been used often as a closer during his four seasons in the majors; he has one save and five blown saves over his career. There is no question he has the stuff to be a closer, however, his lack of experience in the role and those five blown saves in his record might lead one to consider whether he has the mental makeup required of a Major League closer. One caveat to remember is that we’re talking about an extremely small sample size. So small, that it’s unwise to pass judgement on Treinen. However, there is some real risk involved if you decide to draft him ahead of more experienced and successful closers. If you do draft him, make sure you have a backup plan to replace him. The Nationals’ backup plan is likely to be Glover – at least, that’s what is apparent given what we know today. Baker’s issues with young players only cloud the issue further. So, given all the variables here, the best course of action might be to pass on the Nationals’ bullpen altogether and get your saves from another source.

The post Blake Treinen Named Nationals Closer | Tony Watson Shaky at Best appeared first on RotoExperts.

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Fernando Rodney: Ugly But Safe | Reds, Angels & A’s Go Committee

April 4, 2017, 7:11 pm

≫ Next: Joaquin Benoit Takes Over Philly Closer Job

≪ Previous: Blake Treinen Named Nationals Closer | Tony Watson Shaky at Best

Arizona Diamondbacks: It wasn’t pretty but Fernando Rodney did get a W in his first relief appearance with Arizona. The bad news is that Rodney, even in the best of times, was never an elite closer/reliever. The good news is that Arizona really doesn’t have anyone else to challenge him for the ninth inning role at any time in the near future. So, he’s ugly, but he’s safe.

Baltimore Orioles: There is nothing wrong with Zach Britton, as he is still one of the best closers in the game. However, I do have to point out the irony that manager Buck Showalter brought him into a tie game on Opening Day. This was something he refused to do in the Wild Card playoff game last season and it may have cost his team a chance at victory and advancement. Perhaps you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Chicago White Sox: We all know that David Robertson is going to be traded. It’s just a matter of the Sox finding a trading partner they can match up with. Am I worried about Robertson being traded to a team that will use him in a setup rather than a closer role? Not yet, but the closer we get to the deadline my feelings on this are likely to change as teams may be looking to copy what the Indians did in the playoffs last season.

The post Fernando Rodney: Ugly But Safe | Reds, Angels & A’s Go Committee appeared first on RotoExperts.

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Joaquin Benoit Takes Over Philly Closer Job

April 11, 2017, 2:30 pm

≫ Next: Zach Britton Goes on the DL | Dyson Out, Bush In But For How Long?

≪ Previous: Fernando Rodney: Ugly But Safe | Reds, Angels & A’s Go Committee

Detroit Tigers: Yes, KRod struggled and blew a save Friday versus Boston but I’m not sure why that led everyone to panicking and thinking he was automatically going to lose his job. He’s converted two saves since and the job is his unless he self-destructs. The team did call up one of their top prospects in Joe Jimenez. It wasn’t to replace KRod but rather to give the rest of the shaky bullpen a boost.

Los Angeles Angels: I’d be lying if I said I trust Mike Scioscia. I don’t, but it’s starting to look like even he knows that Cam Bedrosian is the best reliever he has and should be the closer. Will this change when Huston Street comes back from the disabled list? Possibly, but for now let’s hope that Scioscia will do what’s best for the team and not automatically reinstate Street into his former ninth inning role.

The choice by Philly to use Joaquin Benoit as their closer could be motivated by money. Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire

The post Joaquin Benoit Takes Over Philly Closer Job appeared first on RotoExperts.

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Zach Britton Goes on the DL | Dyson Out, Bush In But For How Long?

April 18, 2017, 12:32 pm

≫ Next: Plenty of Upheaval at Closer for Several Teams

≪ Previous: Joaquin Benoit Takes Over Philly Closer Job

We all know it’s just a matter of time until the White Sox deal David Robertson. They are rebuilding and players like Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, and Robertson are on the high-priced clearance rack. The team that has been most associated with a possible trade with Chicago is Washington. They are a World Series contender that is trying to close out games with the likes of Blake Treinen (6.00 ERA), Koda Glover (rookie), and Shawn Kelley (6.75 ERA). The Nats seem to be in a game of chicken with the Sox to see what will happen first. Will the price come down or will they be forced to pay up? The problem with waiting and hoping is that it’s only going to be a matter of time until another team loses a closer and will pay the price the Sox want, and Chicago knows this.

Zach Britton won’t be gone long as his injury isn’t serious. Photo Credit: Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire

Baltimore Orioles: Zach Britton went on the disabled list over the weekend due to a forearm strain. The good news is that at this point in time there is no MRI scheduled. This would seem to indicate that Baltimore does not believe that the injury is serious and he is accompanying the team on its upcoming road trip which is another good sign. Those owners who blew a good portion of their FAAB over the weekend on Brad Brach may be sadly disappointed. The injury could be the reason why Britton has been very hittable in the early going this year. Sure, he hasn’t blown a save or even given up a run, but he does sport a 1.86 WHIP and has given up 10 hits in seven IP. A few weeks off may be just what is needed here.

The post Zach Britton Goes on the DL | Dyson Out, Bush In But For How Long? appeared first on RotoExperts.

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Plenty of Upheaval at Closer for Several Teams

April 26, 2017, 2:15 pm

≫ Next: Both Fernando Rodney and Francisco Rodriguez Could Be Replaced

≪ Previous: Zach Britton Goes on the DL | Dyson Out, Bush In But For How Long?

When it comes to writing this report, it’s either a positive or negative depending upon your viewpoint. If you’re solid in saves then you hope this report is short and sweet. The shorter it is, the less upheaval there is at the position. The longer this report, the more chances there are that some of your opponents might be able to pick up a closer that could help them. Unfortunately, this column has been quite lengthy in the early going this season and I’m not sure if that’s going to change anytime soon. That’s good news if you need a closer, not so much if you want your opponents to crash and burn.

Brad Brach should be rostered until we’re certain Zach Britton is 100 percent healthy. Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire

Baltimore Orioles: Brad Brach has proven that he is more than capable of closing games if given the opportunity. Unfortunately, those days will likely be coming to an end sooner rather than later. Zach Britton has started a throwing program and could be back on the mound as early as this weekend or next week. I wouldn’t be so fast to release Brach once Britton does return. Brach can be used just like Dellin Betances or Andrew Miller, relievers who can protect WHIP and ERA. I would use this option at least until we are positive that Britton is 100-percent healthy.

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Both Fernando Rodney and Francisco Rodriguez Could Be Replaced

May 2, 2017, 12:48 pm

≫ Next: The Tigers Closer Situation is Frustrating

≪ Previous: Plenty of Upheaval at Closer for Several Teams

All things considered, this was actually a quiet week for closers. No one lost their job, at least not yet anyway. Sure, there were some poor performances but that’s to be expected at this position. Fantasy owners will panic of course. Is such and such closer safe? Will this reliever replace the closer? So much goes into deciding whether a closer will be replaced. There is the player’s performance, whether the team has another top reliever who could take his job, how much they playing to win this season, whether it’s a veteran closer with a track record and just how much pressure the manager is facing from the media and fans. Enjoy the quiet week while we have it, next week is unlikely to be a repeat.

KRod is striking batters out but home runs have hurt his ERA. Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire

The post Both Fernando Rodney and Francisco Rodriguez Could Be Replaced appeared first on RotoExperts.

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The Tigers Closer Situation is Frustrating

May 9, 2017, 12:08 pm

≫ Next: The Changes at Closer Keep on Coming

≪ Previous: Both Fernando Rodney and Francisco Rodriguez Could Be Replaced

Monday was a frustrating day for me and, I assume, for other Fantasy owners that play in weekly lineup leagues. All day long I was searching for news about what the Tigers will do with their closer position. Will they replace Francisco Rodriguez? Unfortunately for me and probably plenty of other owners, no announcement was made, and since I need to make sure I have a closer this week, I had to make a roster move to pick someone up. Would it have killed manager Brad Ausmus to tell us what he was thinking on Monday? Apparently so. I just couldn’t take the chance that K Rod would be moved out of the role. I like to play it safe, and unfortunately, it cost me a starting pitcher (Joe Ross) that I didn’t want to give up on yet. This just goes to show you that we all have tough decisions to make each and every week.

Baltimore Orioles: I can’t say I’m surprised that Zach Britton ended up back on the disabled list with a forearm strain. This is the reason we were preaching to hold onto Brad Brach last week, until we saw Britton pitch a few games and prove he was 100-percent healthy. Well, he’s not, and now news came out that he is unlikely to return until July. Brach is once again the reliever you want for saves in Baltimore and is a must add if still available in your league. Britton came into this season as a Top 5 closer but is starting to look like he will be the poster child for why you shouldn’t draft a closer early.