Friday Fantasy Baseball Closer Report (7/19)

This is the time of year that I get a little nervous about the closer position. We are a little less than two weeks from the trade deadline. It’s been a trying year, as it always is, at closer. We expect there to be several trades involving current closers, and those trades may not allow that player to close for his new team. Current closers I’m worried about including Shane Greene, Luke Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Sergio Romo, Taylor Rogers, Roenis Elias, and maybe even Carlos Martinez. All of these closers could either be traded to a contending team and end up a top setup man or they are already on a contending team, but one that may be looking to upgrade the position. It’s nail-biting time.

National League

Cincinnati Reds: Raisel Iglesias was placed on the paternity list Wednesday. This means he will be away from the team and unable to close out games for no longer than three games. During his absence, Michael Lorenzen is likely to take over any save opportunities. Iglesias, however, will get the job back upon his return. Iglesias might have been a candidate to be traded, and maybe still is, if the Reds weren’t in the playoff hunt in what is looking like a very winnable National League Central division.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Kenley Jansen is apparently dealing with a sore ankle and seemed to indicate that he shouldn’t have pitched in the game Tuesday where he blew the save by giving up three runs to the Phillies. Well, everything seems to be fine and dandy now and he is expected to be available if needed Thursday.

Philadelphia Phillies: Hector Neris was suspended for three games after hitting David Freese in the back Tuesday immediately after a Dodger home run. Neris is currently appealing the suspension and will continue to close until his appeal is heard. The best-case scenario for Neris would be a one-game reduction, but good luck with that. I’m not sure how you argue this. It did seem to be obvious that Neris hit Freese on purpose.

St. Louis Cardinals: It was a little surprising that the Cardinals let it be known this week that CMart could be had by the trade deadline if the price is right. It’s surprising for a few reasons. One, CMart is the current closer for the Cards after Jordan Hicks was lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery. Second, the Cards are still in the playoff hunt. Third, what can you hope to get from a player who has proven he can’t handle the rigors of starting every five days and is far from a top closer at this point in time? This may be the team’s attempt to rid themselves of his contract.

American League

Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles are open for business and really anyone on the current major league roster should be for sale other than maybe Trey Mancini. Mychal Givens is one of those players and his name has been bandied about as someone who can help a contender. If he were to be dealt, it would almost certainly not be to close for his new team.

Boston Red Sox: Nathan Eovaldi had his first rehab appearance Wednesday, and all went well. Eovaldi struck out three batters and walked one and could be back in the Boston bullpen and ready to close out games as soon as this weekend versus Baltimore. I’ll say this once again if you need a closer or just want to block your competition and Eovaldi is out there on the waiver wire, he should be claimed immediately.

Kansas City Royals: You can throw Ian Kennedy’s name into the current closers who are rumored to be gaining interest on the trade market and won’t close for their new team. Kennedy actually may be more of a swing reliever, someone who can pitch in long relief if the starter needs to come out early. Kennedy doesn’t have much fantasy value now and would have next to zero value if traded.

New York Yankees: There were reports earlier this week, since refuted by Aroldis Chapman, that he plans to opt-out of his contract with the Yankees after this season. This really doesn’t matter for this season, but whether he does opt-out or not likely depends on how well he pitches over the next three months, especially how he performs in the playoffs. Chapman has two years and $30 million left on his deal after this season and just saw Craig Kimbrel sign a three-year $43 million deal with the Cubs. It would still be a gamble though as Chapman will be 32 years of age in September and although he has had a strong season overall, he has also struggled over his past seven appearances, blowing two saves and allowing six earned runs in 6.2 innings pitched

Seattle Mariners: Roenis Elias is another name out there on the trade rumor mill. Like Ian Kennedy and Mychal Givens, if he is dealt to a contender, he has about as much a chance at closing out games as you or I do.

Toronto Blue Jays: Ken Giles was out for a few days due to nerve irritation, apparently suffered after receiving a massage. Giles made an appearance Wednesday versus Boston. He gave up a run, two hits, a walk, and struck out two in one inning. It wasn’t pretty, but he’s back and safe to put back into your lineup. Giles could also be dealt by the deadline and whether or not he closes for his new team completely depends on where he is dealt. If it’s the Yankees, he would just be another top reliever in their stable. If it’s a team like the Braves, he would almost certainly take over the closer role.