Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez could shatter the single season save record and have his name listed along with pitching great (NOT!) Bobby Thigpen!!

Anaheim, CA: If you haven’t heard by now, I’ll fill you in on a well-known fact—Francisco Rodriguez of the Los Angeles Angels is on pace to set the single season record for saves.  That sounds pretty darn impressive to a lot of you I’d bet, along the lines of Barry Bonds passing Hank Aaron in home runs, or Pete Rose trumping Ty Cobb as the all-time hits leader.  Well, it’s not.  Or, more precisely, it’s just not that impressive.  Surely any time someone accomplishes a feat of athleticism by setting a new benchmark for performance, there’s reason to acknowledge that notable accomplishment.  But, with eventual save number 58, what will the pitcher known as K-Rod really be accomplishing?  He’ll be surpassing a record that is less a measure of skill than it is a measure of opportunity.  And in becoming the new standard-bearer for save success, K-Rod won’t be passing Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Sandy Koufax, or even a Hoyt Wilhelm.  No, he’ll be passing Bobby Thigpen.  And, with all due respect to Mr. Thigpen, his record, and his family name, that is not a name that is synonymous with dominance.  It sort of takes a little of the shine off the record, and of the notion of the save generally.

That’s right; saves are not the benchmark of relief pitching dominance.  Most “stat-guys” will throw out half a dozen or statistics that are a better measure of a pitcher’s relative value and worth than the ever-more-ample save, including, but certainly not limited to WE (win expectancy), WPA (win probability added), and the ever-popular WPA/LI (context neutral wins / game state linear weights).  Alas, we haven’t the time to delve into such exciting statistical discussions here in Pen Names.  For now, enjoy the added bonus of having all those saves on your roster, but try not to let them go to your head.  And, more importantly, don’t let them effect your 2009 relief pitcher evaluation(s).

Pittsburgh, PA: Remember earlier in the year when Matt Capps was one of the more reliable fantasy closer options going?  Me neither.  Well, I actually do, but it’s my job to pay attention to useless crap like that, in part, so you don’t have to.  After turning their attention to Damaso Marte, Tyler Yates, Craig Hansen, and Mark Grabow, the Pirates are taking another look at Capps after he completed a recent rehab assignment in Indianapolis (AAA).  I happened to catch a little Capps rehab action up close and personal mere hours before finding myself in the ER felled by a nasty intestinal condition (it’s gross; don’t ask).  His velocity looked to be almost all the way back, even if his location wasn’t.  I was encouraged by what I saw and apparently so were the Pirates.

He’s back with the big club now, and is poised to resume his closer duties, assuming his arm stays attached and his control returns.  In the short term, I can’t see either being a problem.  If you were one of the brave souls that held on, hoping that he’d return in time to be an asset, then I guess you deserve a little pat on the back (but just a little one).  The fact remains, Capps is available in a number of leagues.  That late-season closer carousel can get pretty dizzying, and a lot of riders are too motion sick to be bothered to keep up at this point.  Capps is healthy; it’s time to buy another ticket for another go-round, if you can.

Waiver Wires, Everywhere: Fantasy managers often become so obsessed with the save (see: K-Rod above), that we have a tendency to overlook the middlemen who do an admirable job of making positive contributions to our teams.  As such, you can frequently find a great deal of value just rotting away on the waiver wire.  Pen Names would like to take a look at some of the unsung fantasy relief heroes of the past month that are probably available in a league near you.

Rafael Perez – Indians: 21IP, 2W, 1SV, 30K, 3.43 ERA, 0.76 WHIP.  If your team can’t use those numbers, especially that miniscule WHIP, you’re either holding 6 elite closers, or you’re lying.

Grant Balfour – Rays: 16IP, 2W, 24K, 1.69 ERA, 1.06 WHIP.  He was added and then dropped en masse when Rays manager Joe Maddon passed over him for the closer job in the latest Troy Percival injury replacement.  Numbers like these still help, even without the vaunted save.

LaTroy Hawkins – Astros: 9IP, 2W, 1SV, 15K, 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP.  I may have my “guru” card revoked for even typing his name, but he was once an elite middle-reliever with the Twins, and has always thrived in non-pressure situations.  In Houston, he’s “Hawked” 2 wins and a save in just 9 innings, without allowing an earned run.  Hey, I’m just sayin’.

Well, I gotta run.  I have an appointment to be jumped on as an adjunct member of the Latin Kings street gang.  As you might guess, I’m pretty excited.  But, before I go…

The List:

1. Joe Nathan – Twins: He had himself an uncharacteristic hiccup.  Still great.
2. Francisco Rodriguez – Angels: Saves just keep on coming.
3. Jonathan Papelbon – Red Sox: An argument could be made for him at #1.
4. Mariano Rivera – Yankees: Still struggling in non SV situations.
5. Bobby Jenks – White Sox: Tight race, tight games, and lots of save chances.
6. Joakim Soria – Royals: Will the Royals slow his usage come September?
7. Brad Lidge – Phillies: Could be the difference maker in the NL East.
8. B.J. Ryan – Blue Jays: Jays playing inspired ball in tough division.
9. Jose Valverde – Astros: Team shooting for +.500 season helps his cause.
10. Kerry Wood – Cubs: Looks healthy and effective.  Strong team seals the deal.
11. Kevin Gregg – Marlins: Below career-average HR rate helping stats.
12. Brian Wilson – Giants: SV monster will still hurt you with ratios.
13. Salomon Torres – Brewers: Who else?  Not Eric Gagne.
14. Jonathan Broxton – Dodgers: Hasn’t been as dominant as his “stuff”.
15. Brian Fuentes – Rockies: Bereavement list for now, trade later?
16. Trevor Hoffman – Padres:  “Oooooold man river”...
17. Francisco Cordero – Reds: He’s closing, but that was/is a horrible contract.
18. J.J. Putz – Mariners: Usage patterns suggest team might start resting him.
19. Brandon Lyon – Diamondbacks: The job’s still his as Rauch hasn’t been any better.
20. Brad Ziegler – Athletics: Has continued impressive season as new closer.
21. Jensen Lewis – Indians: He’s locked in as Cleveland’s closer.  Really.
22. Joel Hanrahan – Nationals: There’s no one left in the bullpen to threaten his job.
23. Mike Gonzalez – Braves: Meh.  The Braves need to be thinking about 2009.
24. Fernando Rodney – Tigers: I almost feel bad ranking him this high.
25. Dan Wheeler – Rays: Wheeler’s the guy, at least until Percival returns.
26. Matt Capps – Pirates – He’s back and so is his velocity.  How healthy?
27. Chris Perez – Cardinals: Entrenched as closer as Cardinals playoff hopes fade.
28. Carlos Marmol – Cubs: No saves on horizon, but all other numbers there.
29. Frank Francisco – Rangers: With Guardado traded for a hamburger, he’s the man.
30. Aaron Heilman – Mets: Can someone please have an effective outing.  Please?!?!
31. Jim Johnson – Orioles: Not a great option, but an option nonetheless.
32. Grant Balfour – Rays: Most dominant arm in Rays pen.  2009 closer?
33. Troy Percival – Rays: Still hurt, but throwing again.  Watch.
34. Manny Corpas – Rockies: Will get a chance or two with Fuentes on pause.
35. Billy Wagner –Mets: Still holding on to late-season hope.
36. Jose Arredondo – Angels: Coming back to Earth, but still touts impressive stats.
37. Rafael Perez – Indians: Becoming good holds option and SV vulture.
38. George Sherrill – Orioles: If you’re the O’s, why rush him back?
39. Luis Alaya – Mets – There has to be another Mets closer candidate, right?
40. Heath Bell – Padres: Because he’s been here almost every week.