Fantasy Baseball: Closer Report (6/14)

So many of us play in more than one league, but no matter how many leagues we play in, we all have our favorite. I’m no different. I’m playing in six leagues this season, but my home league, with my brother and long-time friends, is by far the league I not only want to win the most but enjoy playing in the most. I’m off to a good start in that league, but I’m desperate for saves. The season started off badly for me when Corey Knebel was lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery. This is a 12-team league and I only drafted two closers (Jordan Hicks). I’ve struggled to fill that second closer spot (we can only start two). I’m playing the waiver wire game along with so many others. Sure, I’ve tried the trade route, but getting anyone to deal in this league is like pulling teeth. Not only are they afraid that I might know something they don’t, but everyone in this league wants to win a deal, they aren’t interested in making a fair deal because they don’t want to risk that it turns badly for them. So many leagues are like this as trading is nowhere near what it once used to be. Oh well, I’ll struggle along like everyone else and piece together my relief corps via the WW.

National League

Atlanta Braves: Luke Jackson is my second closer right now, but he may not have the job for long. I was relieved when Craig Kimbrel signed with the Cubs. That seemingly gave new life to Jackson, but he blew his last save chance (fifth on the season) and Wednesday gave up a go-ahead HR in the 9^th inning. The Braves called up A.J. Minter and immediately stated that he will be in the closing mix. Minter could close out games if he’s not used earlier and the opposing team has left-handed batters lined up to bat in the 9^th. The Braves could also be checking out the trade route to bring in an experienced closer before the July 31 trade deadline. Yeah, it’s a mess in Atlanta.

Chicago Cubs: Kimbrel threw a bullpen session on Monday, it went well, and he is expected to face actual batters by the end of this week. Assuming that he will need at least 2-3 appearances, including pitching in back to back games in the minor leagues, this would seem to put his return to MLB around June 21. Pedro Strop owners may get a few more save opportunities before his return but those saves are about to dry up.

Colorado Rockies: Wade Davis came off the injured list and returned as the closer for Colorado. Scott Oberg did a very good job in his place but will go back to being the top setup man for the Rockies. Davis only has eight saves so far this season but should immediately be placed back in your starting lineup.

American League

Minnesota Twins: Over the past six weeks, the Twins only have eight saves as a team. If that stat isn’t concerning enough for Blake Parker owners, this one should be, Parker only has three of those saves. There is a reason the Twins were in on the Kimbrel sweepstakes; they don’t trust Parker as a full-time closer. This is yet another team that should be in the market for an established closer by the trade deadline and also a team that is currently going with a committee. Don’t be surprised if Trevor May also gets into the mix here.

New York Yankees: Aroldis Chapman is fine, nothing to worry about with him, but Dellin Betances suffered a setback in his recovery from a shoulder injury. Like several other Yankees this season, Betances suffered a different injury in his recovery from his original ailment. The shoulder is fine, but Betances now has what the Yankees are calling a low-grade lat strain. Whatever. He wasn’t going to help you much in fantasy anyway and now may not help the Yankees either this season. He will be shutdown likely through the end of June which means a best case scenario is that we see him in the Bronx in late July.

Seattle Mariners: Hunter Strickland was also shut down due to a lat strain. Strickland, of course, was put on the IL in April due to this injury and felt soreness in his lat while rehabbing. How long he will be out of action for isn’t known, but it doesn’t really matter here. The Mariners are in full sell mode and even when Strickland is healthy, there won’t be many games to save, and if he can prove himself healthy, he may find himself pitching for another team in a setup role anyway. There is no one in this Seattle bullpen that you truly want to roster right now.

Texas Rangers: Just when it looked like Jose Leclerc was going to be placed back into the closer’s role for Texas, boom, he allows runs in three straight appearances. This seems to be a mental hurdle that he will have to overcome. Leclerc was pitching very well in non-save situations, but then it all fell apart when he was given a more important role. He will be given another chance eventually, but that may not be until later this month now. Shawn Kelley is once again the closer for Texas.

Tampa Bay Rays: Jose Alvarado is still away from the Rays due to a personal matter. It was originally thought that Alvarado would return last weekend versus Boston but now Tampa is hoping he will return versus the Angels in a four-game series starting Thursday. At best he will be a co-closer with Diego Castillo upon his return and may have to prove to the team he even deserves that after being away from the team for such a long period of time. The Rays weren’t using Alvarado in every save situation before his absence and it’s hard to see that changing upon his return.

Toronto Blue Jays: Ken Giles was placed on the IL due to elbow inflammation Wednesday. The injury isn’t considered to be serious and Giles is expected to return as soon as he is able. The Blue Jays are also in sell mode and one has to wonder if the Jays are being cautious here and trying to protect Giles’ trade value by making sure he will be 100% healthy come July 31. Giles has pitched well this season and could be the closer that the Braves, Twins, or any other contending team without a true lockdown closer is looking for. Joe Biagini will take over the closing role until Giles returns.