Fantasy Baseball: Closer Report (5/23)

Fantasy Baseball

In a points league, you can make a pretty good argument that you’re better off going with a starting pitcher over a reliever in your lineup, especially if you don’t have true lockdown closers for that spot. You want points any way possible. Sure, saves are an easy way to get those points, but several relievers aren’t getting a plethora of save opportunities and some teams don’t even have a set closer. There are quite a few starters who also qualify as relievers. It should be an easy choice to have even a subpar starter in your lineup when they have two starts in a given week. I mean, why are they even on your team if you can’t start them in that situation. As for starting them over an average to below average closer, if the matchups dictate it, yeah, I would do that. I want my points; don’t care how I get them. We don’t get style points.

National League

Atlanta Braves: Are we onto the fourth closer this season for the Braves? First, it was Arodys Vizcaino who is lost for the season due to a shoulder injury. Enter A.J. Minter who pitched so poorly that he was sent to Triple-A. Then they gave us Luke Jackson who started out strong but has now blown four saves this season and three in his last seven appearances. Jackson hasn’t officially lost his job as of this writing, but that may be coming in short order should another save be blown. Who is next in line? Probably Sean Newcomb, but how long that will last is anyone’s guess. Once the 2019 MLB Entry Draft is over, the Braves should be one of the teams most interested in free agent Craig Kimbrel. The recently acquired Anthony Swarzak could also get a look here.

Chicago Cubs: Steve Cishek is the current closer for the Cubs, but his days are likely numbered as well. Pedro Strop is set to begin a rehab assignment at some point next week and could return to the bullpen for the Cubs in early June. Brandon Morrow has begun a throwing program once again after suffering a setback about a month ago. Morrow, if all goes well, could return in mid to late June. Strop will likely see save opportunities upon his return, but Morrow may not. It would seem that Morrow would have to work his way back into that role and that could easily take until after the All-Star break.

Colorado Rockies: Wade Davis was a surprise addition to the injured list Wednesday. Davis has what they are calling a mild oblique strain, one that is not expected to keep him out of action for an extended period of time. The problem is, obliques can be tricky. You really never know if you are over them until you’re pitching in a game and they are very easy to re-injure. Even though Davis hasn’t pitched since May 14 and we assume that is when the injury occurred, it’s still hard to see him return to action until early June.

New York Mets: There are a couple of little notes for the Mets this week. First, they have reversed course and now will use Edwin Diaz for more than one inning in order to earn a save. The team announced earlier this season that Diaz would only be used for no more than three outs for a save in April in order to save wear and tear on his body. It’s amazing how health and safety go out the door when you’re struggling. This decision could lead to a few more saves for Diaz, but nothing all that drastic. The other bit of news is that for the time being Jeurys Familia is not the 8^th inning reliever for the Mets, matter of fact the Mets have stated they currently don’t have an 8^th inning guy, at least not one they trust. Familia has been terrible since coming off the IL. There may not be many holds in his future.

St. Louis Cardinals: Jordan Hicks has had four appearances and no saves in May. That’s hard to do for a closer on a good team. It really hasn’t been his fault. It seems the Cardinals either lose or blow the opposing team out each game. There are some rumors however that now that Carlos Martinez has returned from the IL, that he could garner a save or two when called into a game. This is probably true, but you still shouldn’t panic if you’re a Hicks owner. He is still the primary closer.

American League

Seattle Mariners: The aforementioned Vizcaino was traded to Seattle last week. Vizcaino is still out for the season. Seattle is just playing the long game here and was able to save some salary in this deal. As for the relievers who are going to pitch this season, Hunter Strickland is with the team on their current road trip but is still several weeks away from being able to pitch after a lat injury. Roenis Elias is still the closer of choice here.

Texas Rangers: The Rangers have told us for about a week now that Jose Leclerc is close to returning to the 9^th inning role for Texas and if you go just by numbers, you can make a good argument that it should have already happened. In the last four appearances for Leclerc, he has pitched 5.1 innings without allowing a BB, hit, or run, and has struck out 11. Shawn Kelley, who returned from the IL on Tuesday, was inserted back as the closer over Chris Martin, but his time there will be short-lived.

Toronto Blue Jays: All seems well for Ken Giles and the Blue Jays. Giles wasn’t available for the game Monday due to a sore wrist, but he did pitch Wednesday, allowing one hit but no runs in one inning. Giles is safe to put back in your lineup should you had taken him out.

I will be back with the closer report in two weeks. Have a great Memorial Day.