Fantasy Baseball: Closer Report (6-7)

To the dismay of Pedro Strop owners, the long-running soap opera in America of where Craig Kimbrel will sign has come to an end as the Chicago Cubs end up being his destination this season. We will talk more below about his impact for the Cubs. If you didn’t claim him before he signed Tuesday and he’s still available on your waiver sire, well, the price just likely went soaring. Everyone needs a closer, especially one on a contending team. One thing to note however is that the Cubs don’t seem to need a closer in most games. They seem to either blow teams out or lose. It’s a weird anomaly and one that isn’t likely to continue, but if you lose out on Kimbrel, you can use that knowledge to feel better about it.

National League

Chicago Cubs: Although it is not known exactly when Kimbrel will be able to pitch for the Cubs, it’s expected to be at least 2-3 weeks before he can close. This means although his time is running short, you don’t want to release Pedro Strop quite yet, but the sands in his hourglass are running out. The Cubs didn’t sign Kimbrel to a three-year contract worth over $40 million to be a setup man.

Colorado Rockies: Wade Davis threw a successful batting practice session Wednesday and is on track to return to the Colorado bullpen in the closer role at some point this month. How long that takes likely depends on whether or not Colorado feels they need to send Davis on a rehab stint first. Scott Oberg will continue to close until Davis is fully cleared from his oblique injury.

Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies received good news and bad news within the last week. The good news is that David Robertson (elbow) is ready to begin a throwing program and should be ready to return to the Philly bullpen at some point in late June. He hasn’t pitched since April 15 so it’s going to take him a few weeks to get back into pitching shape. What role he returns to is still undefined but it’s likely as a setup man at first and Philly will take things from there. As for the bad news, Seranthony Dominguez had to be removed from the game Wednesday due to an elbow injury. There is no update on his condition as of this writing, but it’s hard to imagine Dominguez not going on the IL due to this ailment.

St. Louis Cardinals: Jordan Hicks is in a bit of a slump of late as he has given up six earned runs in his last six appearances. If he was a veteran closer, we probably wouldn’t worry as much about his status, but he’s a first-year closer and the Cards may choose not to be patient with him. The Cards have other options. Carlos Martinez could close as we all know his arm/shoulder is not up to the rigors of being a starter. Jon Gant who came in for the ineffective Hicks on Sunday to close out his mess could close. There is also prodigy Alex Reyes who is expected to be promoted from Triple-A shortly that could handle the job. The Cardinals state that Hicks is still the closer as of this moment which makes sense as Martinez is better in a multiple-inning role, Reyes is likely to start, and Gant may just be a stopgap. I’m holding onto Hicks for now, but I’m wary.

American League

Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles removed Mychal Givens from the closing role last week, choosing to go with the dreaded bullpen by committee. Givens is actually part of that committee along with Richard Bleir, Paul Fry, and really anyone that Baltimore believes can get anyone out. There just isn’t anything to see here, move along.

Boston Red Sox: The Sox have to be looking for an established closer, don’t they? I mean this team can’t keep relying on the likes of Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, and Brandon Workman. It’s another committee here which is hard to believe for defending champs. Once again there is no one to trust here, not until they trade for someone which I have to believe is coming.

Seattle Mariners: Hunter Strickland is expected to throw a live batting practice session Sunday and if all goes well, he will be sent on a rehab assignment. Like Robertson, he hasn’t pitched in a couple of months and that rehab assignment should last a couple of weeks at the very least. This would put a return to the bullpen for Seattle in late June. Does it really matter though? Entering Wednesday, Seattle had only won 13 of their last 50 games. Ouch.

Texas Rangers: There is an old line I like to use and say often. When can you tell a coach or team official is lying? When their lips move. The Rangers have been telling us for weeks, including this one, that Jose Leclerc should be re-inserted back into the closing role at any moment. Leclerc has proven to be back to his former self and has only allowed three earned runs over his last 13 appearances (16.1 IP). One would want to believe that Leclerc will handle the next save chance for Texas. I want to believe that, I really do. If Leclerc is available on your WW, now may be the time to grab him, maybe.

Tampa Bay Rays: Jose Alvarado was placed on Family Medical List by the Rays and isn’t expected to return to the team until next week at the earliest. The exact reason for his absence is unknown. Diego Castillo is expected to close out games in his return, but we all know that trusting the Rays and manager Kevin Cash to do the expected thing in the 9^th inning is foolish. I’d hold off on claiming Castillo unless you’re not losing much to obtain his services.