We are winding down here as Sunday brings the first day of September and the expansion of rosters all around the league. We are coming to the end of the Closer Report for 2013. There aren’t likely to be many changes for the rest of the season, but we’ll still publish short columns and our closer table so that keeper and dynasty leaguers alike can keep tabs on 2014 opportunities.
Again this week, we will use a notes-style column to go around the league and hit some of the bigger news. And, yes, there isn’t too much in the way of big news.
Close Calls
Daniel Bard was designated for assignment on Sunday. It is sad end to Bard’s career with the Boston Red Sox.
Kevin Gregg is still the closer for the Cubs, but he’s not acting like he wants to be. Just your weekly update. He’s got a save, a loss and a blown save in his three appearances this week giving up runs in two of those three outings. Blake Parker is the likely recipient of any save chances in September should Gregg falter enough that the Cubs make a change. However, don’t forget about Arodys Vizcaino for 2014. He’s heading to the Arizona Fall League to get some innings under his belt and his stuff makes him a legitimate candidate for high leverage innings in Chicago in next season.
Rafael Betancourt is done for the year and probably most of next as well after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Rex Brothers is locked in as closer and Betancourt can be forgotten until 2015.
Vic Black was the player to be named later for the New York Mets in the Marlon Byrd/John Buck trade. Black is a one pitch pitcher, but he’s been relatively effective in the minors. His electric arm has allowed him to close in the minors (but also led to a high walk rate) and he’s an arm to watch as the Mets limp to the finish line for 2013.
Jason Grilli is has a rehab plan and could be back by the end of this week giving the Pirates yet another boost.
John Axford was dealt from the Brewers to the Cardinals this week. For me, there isn’t much in this move to get excited about. Axford hasn’t been an effective closer or a pitcher, in general, this season. He’s now buried behind Trevor Rosenthal, Jason Motte and Kevin Siegrist in the Cards’ pen. I don’t expect much from this move for Axford or the Cards.
Definitions
2013 Closer – The current closer
Handcuff Option – This is the guy who I believe will step into the closer role if the current closer loses his job.
Other Option – Another arm in the pen who could close if the manager chooses to go a different route.
Dark Horse Option – If all hell breaks loose in the pen, this guy could get a shot this year.
2014 Closer – This guy should be in the closer’s role on Opening Day 2014.
More...
Again this week, we will use a notes-style column to go around the league and hit some of the bigger news. And, yes, there isn’t too much in the way of big news.
Close Calls
Daniel Bard was designated for assignment on Sunday. It is sad end to Bard’s career with the Boston Red Sox.
Kevin Gregg is still the closer for the Cubs, but he’s not acting like he wants to be. Just your weekly update. He’s got a save, a loss and a blown save in his three appearances this week giving up runs in two of those three outings. Blake Parker is the likely recipient of any save chances in September should Gregg falter enough that the Cubs make a change. However, don’t forget about Arodys Vizcaino for 2014. He’s heading to the Arizona Fall League to get some innings under his belt and his stuff makes him a legitimate candidate for high leverage innings in Chicago in next season.
Rafael Betancourt is done for the year and probably most of next as well after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Rex Brothers is locked in as closer and Betancourt can be forgotten until 2015.
Vic Black was the player to be named later for the New York Mets in the Marlon Byrd/John Buck trade. Black is a one pitch pitcher, but he’s been relatively effective in the minors. His electric arm has allowed him to close in the minors (but also led to a high walk rate) and he’s an arm to watch as the Mets limp to the finish line for 2013.
Jason Grilli is has a rehab plan and could be back by the end of this week giving the Pirates yet another boost.
John Axford was dealt from the Brewers to the Cardinals this week. For me, there isn’t much in this move to get excited about. Axford hasn’t been an effective closer or a pitcher, in general, this season. He’s now buried behind Trevor Rosenthal, Jason Motte and Kevin Siegrist in the Cards’ pen. I don’t expect much from this move for Axford or the Cards.
Definitions
2013 Closer – The current closer
Handcuff Option – This is the guy who I believe will step into the closer role if the current closer loses his job.
Other Option – Another arm in the pen who could close if the manager chooses to go a different route.
Dark Horse Option – If all hell breaks loose in the pen, this guy could get a shot this year.
2014 Closer – This guy should be in the closer’s role on Opening Day 2014.
| Team | 2013 Closer | Handcuff option | Other option | Darkhorse Option | 2014 Closer |
| Arizona | Brad Ziegler | Heath Bell | Will Harris | David Hernandez | J.J. Putz (DL) |
| Atlanta | Craig Kimbrel | Jordan Walden | Luis Avilan | Anthony Varvaro | Craig Kimbrel |
| Baltimore | Jim Johnson | Tommy Hunter | Darren O’Day | Francisco Rodriguez | Not on the team |
| Boston | Koji Uehara | Junichi Tazawa | Craig Breslow | Rubby de la Rosa | Andrew Bailey |
| Chicago (NL) | Kevin Gregg | Pedro Strop | Blake Parker | James Russell | Arodys Vizcaino |
| Chicago (AL) | Addison Reed | Nate Jones | Matt Lindstrom | Hector Santiago | Addison Reed |
| Cincinnati | Aroldis Chapman | J. J. Hoover | Alfredo Simon | Sean Marshall | Aroldis Chapman |
| Cleveland | Chris Perez | Joe Smith | Cody Allen | Preston Guilmet | Chris Perez |
| Colorado | Rex Brothers | Wilton Lopez | Matt Belisle | Adam Ottavino | Rex Brothers |
| Detroit | Joaquin Benoit | Jose Veras | Drew Smyly | Al Albuquerque | Not on the team |
| Houston | Chia-Jen Lo | Josh Fields | Josh Zeid | Hector Ambriz | Not on the team |
| Kansas City | Greg Holland | Aaron Crow | Tim Collins | Luke Hochevar | Greg Holland |
| Los Angeles Angels | Ernesto Frieri | Dane de la Rosa | Buddy Boshers | Nick Maronde | Ernesto Frieri |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Kenley Jansen | Paco Rodriguez | Brandon League | Ronald Belisario | Kenley Jansen |
| Miami | Steve Cishek | Mike Dunn | Chad Qualls | A. J. Ramos | Steve Cishek |
| Milwaukee | Jim Henderson | Brandon Kintzler | Michael Gonzalez | Rob Wooten | Jim Henderson |
| Minnesota | Glen Perkins | Casey Fien | Jared Burton | Michael Tonkin | Glen Perkins |
| New York Mets | LaTroy Hawkins | Gonzalez Germen | Vic Black | Jeurys Familia | Bobby Parnell (DL) |
| New York Yankees | Mariano Rivera | David Robertson | Joba Chamberlain | Phil Hughes | David Robertson |
| Oakland | Grant Balfour | Ryan Cook | Jesse Chavez | Sean Doolittle | Ryan Cook |
| Philadelphia | Jonathan Papelbon | Antonio Bastardo | Justin De Fratus | Joe Savery | Jonathan Papelbon |
| Pittsburgh | Mark Melancon | Tony Watson | Justin Wilson | Vin Mazzaro | Jason Grilli (DL) |
| St. Louis | Edward Mujica | Trevor Rosenthal | Kevin Siegrest | Carlos Martinez | Trevor Rosenthal |
| San Diego | Huston Street | Luke Gregerson | Dale Thayer | Brad Boxberger | Huston Street |
| San Francisco | Sergio Romo | Santiago Casilla | Jeremy Affeldt | Jose Mijares | Sergio Romo |
| Seattle | Danny Farquhar | Yoervis Medina | Oliver Perez | Carter Capps | Danny Farquhar |
| Tampa Bay | Fernando Rodney | Jake McGee | Joel Peralta | Jamey Wright | Jake McGee |
| Texas | Joe Nathan | Joakim Soria | Jason Frasor | Neftali Feliz | Joe Nathan |
| Toronto | Casey Janssen | Sergio Santos | Aaron Loup | Brett Cecil | Casey Janssen |
| Washington | Rafael Soriano | Tyler Clippard | Fernando Abad | Erik Davis | Rafael Soriano |
More...
