Fantasy Baseball: Closer Report (4/25)

I’m the first to admit that the save statistic is far from the most important one in fantasy baseball and the real thing as well. Let’s face it, coming into the 9^th inning with a three-run lead, no one on base, and facing the bottom of the order, probably shouldn’t be rewarded with any kind of special statistic. That being said, it’s good for fantasy as it opens up a player pool for us. If you were playing in a 4×4 without saves, then you aren’t likely to roster a reliever. It’s for this reason that I feel the same about the “hold” statistic. Yes, it can be meaningless as far as an actual game is concerned, but for fantasy, it opens up the player pool for those relievers that only pitch after the starter has departed and before the closer is called upon. If your league doesn’t like a “hold” category, how about making saves + holds one category. This way we wouldn’t all be scrambling for a closer as soon as one becomes available.

National League

Chicago Cubs: Pedro Strop owners can breathe a sigh of relief after Brandon Morrow suffered a setback in his rehab from elbow surgery. While the Cubs have yet to announce any new timetable for Morrow, they have stated that they will slow down his rehab. Apparently, Morrow suffered some discomfort in that elbow. Originally Morrow was expected to return to Chicago in early May. That isn’t going to happen and now the best case scenario would seem to be mid to late May and even that may be wishful thinking. It may also be wishful thinking to assume he gets the closer job back upon his return. If you’re in a league with limited or zero IL slots, it’s probably time to move on from Morrow.

Philadelphia Phillies: David Robertson is still on the IL with a flexor strain in his elbow. The strain is considered to be minor and Robertson could return within the next 7-14 days. The better question might be, will he return at the closer for the Phillies? My guess would be no. Not right away anyway. He will likely have to earn the trust again of the coaching staff before replacing Hector Neris in the 9^th inning role.

San Francisco Giants: Maybe it’s just a motivational ploy, but I have no idea why manager Bruce Bochy keeps insinuating that Mark Melancon will eventually get some save opportunities. Will Smith has been great in the role with six saves to go along with a 1.04 ERA and .081 WHIP in 8.2 IP. Smith hasn’t blown any saves, so why would you want to fix what isn’t broken? Melancon has been perfect this season, but his fastball velocity keeps heading in the wrong direction. The only reason the Giants and Bochy would consider a switch would be with the hope that the team could move the 20+ million that is still left on the contract of Melancon by the trade deadline.

American League

Boston Red Sox: It’s a new column, a new week, so we have to once again try and figure out who the closer is for the Sox. Well right now, it’s Ryan Brasier. Next week it might be Matt Barnes again. It might not matter if the Sox keep losing games. If their offense continues to be MIA and if that starting staff can’t figure out how to go deeper into games. It’s shocking to hear rumors that Boston management is already considering that they may have to be sellers this season. Brasier is your guy for now, but that may last days, not weeks or months.

Kansas City Royals: The Royals are going with a closer by committee approach this season. What that means is that they don’t have one true reliever that they trust to get the job done. That also means that fantasy owners can’t trust Ian Kennedy or Wily Peralta either. If you’re rostering either one, that means you’re desperate for every save possible. There’s nothing wrong with that, most of us are, just realize that neither one is guaranteed to pitch the 9^th inning and the Royals aren’t going to require many saves because of how poor a team they are.

Los Angeles Angels: Cody Allen was removed as closer for the Angels on Wednesday. Allen hasn’t blown any saves this season, but he also only has four saves to go along with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.56.  Those numbers just won’t get the job done. The question becomes, who will manager Brad Ausmus go to next? Once again it may not matter a great deal as the Angels are a bad team, but if you’re looking to speculate, Ty Buttrey has been the best reliever for the Angels so far this season, but this also smells like a closer by committee situation.

Minnesota Twins: Speaking of closer by committee, we give you the Twins. I want to see Blake Parker run with the job. I have to believe manager Rocco Baldelli does also. I just don’t think the Twins will give him a long leash. Parker has only given up one run and three hits in nine appearances this season. We just need the Twins to give him the job full-time and we should get 25+ saves between now and the end of the season.

Seattle Mariners: Who is the closer for Seattle? Coming into the season it was Hunter Strickland. When he was injured Cory Gearrin was given the first shot at the role. When he failed it was Anthony Swarzak, who pitched well, but then all of a sudden Roenis Elias was given a few save chances and he also performed well. Who should you trust? Neither one of them. This looks like another committee with the Mariners going with the reliever that they believe has the best matchup versus the opposing hitters.