Jonathan Broxton, L.A. Dodgers

Mere weeks into the 2009 Major League season, and Pen Names is already letting its readers down.  More to the point I have let readers down.  For the thousands of you that have dutifully followed my SportsGrumblings.com musings, you’ll know that I haven’t been immune to the occasional trip to the DL.  I wish I could say that I’m completely out of the woods, but you never know, as my myriad hospitalizations over the past year clearly indicate.  My chronic problems resulted in yet another trip to the ER/DL/place I hope you never have to be.  They tell me that this should be the last of a series of surgeries that made my winter and spring a glorified urinal.  The good news is that I was able to catch up on some reading (Alyssa Milano wrote a book on baseball), and I’m going to have some bad-ass scars to impress the chicks (see: my wife).  She’d better dig scars or I’m going to find someone who does.   Note: my wife doesn’t read Pen Names, so I can say whatever I want, with impunity.  For the thousands, nay, MILLIONS that do read Pen Names…

All time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, and not a moment too soon for forlorn Brewers fans.  Carlos Villanueva didn’t work.  Todd Coffey, while relatively effective in stop-gap duties, was not the answer to any bullpen question you’d want to ask.  Gone are the days of Hoffman being a lock-down-type closer, but he still offers an effective arm and veteran leadership.  You could do a lot worse from a fantasy standpoint too—just check the Pen Names rankings.

Houston Street (5.56 ERA, 1.32WHIP) has been reinserted into the closer role in place of even less effective Manny Corpas.  Don’t expect Colorado to not be on the tips of our collective tongues all season long with the way their bullpen has been getting guys out, or, not getting guys out.  Pen Names has mentioned Jason Grilli before, and maybe he’s still in the closer mix somewhere down the road—a long, winding road riddled with potholes. 

Two weeks have passed since our last installation of Pen Names and again LaTroy Hawkins of all relievers is still relevant.  This is due in large part to Jose Valverde’s array of injuries and ailments that have kept him from the mound and finally landed him on the DL.  Houston isn’t a good ballclub, so don’t expect much from Hawkins, who has always managed to wilt under pressure anyway. 

George Sherrill was an American League All Star in 2008.  No, I’m not kidding; you can look it up if you don’t believe me.  He had an abysmal second half, and he seems to have allowed that second-half slump to carry over to the 2009 season—so much so that he’s pitched his way right out of the closer position (officially).  Chris Ray is a potential replacement, but his 7.56ERA and 2.16 hardly instill confidence.  Jim Johnson and Jamie Walker are “maybes” and there’s a dark horse in former closer in Danys Baez.  Don’t rush out to get any of them until a clear favorite emerges.

First Tier (the best of the best):

1. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers: Look at his K rate, ratios, save totals.  Why NOT #1?
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Mets: Pitching better than historic ’08, even is SV totals are lower.
3. Mariano Rivera, Yankees: Has yet to be scored upon and has a sub-1.00 WHIP.  Eh
4. Joe Nathan, Twins: Still elite, even if his team has played sporadic ball early.
5. Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox: Rumors about a sore arm give some pause for concern.
6. Joakim Soria, Royals: Some say he should be a starter.  Pen Names would miss him.

Second Tier:

7. Heath Bell, Padres: Closer baton was passed and he ran with it like a true anchor.
8. Frank Francisco, Rangers: In fantasy it’s not the name but the numbers.  Check ‘em.
9. Brad Lidge, Phillies: Health scare aside, he should be fine.  Still an elite option.  Maybe.
10. Bobby Jenks, White Sox: Big Bobby Jenks = good.  Fat Bobby Jenks = bad. Both pitch..
11. Kerry Wood, Indians: Rough outings aside, I still trust his elite K arm. It’s still early

Third Tier:

12. Brian Fuentes, Angels: He’s struggled a bit early, but it’s early.  Watch Arredondo too
13. Trevor Hoffman, Brewers: Old-man river is back and he just keeps rollin’ along.
14. Matt Capps, Pirates: Unlike Jenks, I am a “Capps guy”, and damn proud of that fact
15. Francisco Cordero, Reds: Sometimes shaky on the mound, but a reliable SV source

Fourth Tier:

16. Brian Wilson, Giants: Still racking up saves and smoothed out some of his rough edges.
17. Ryan Franklin, Cardinals: LaRussa likes him, and I’m coming around…slowly.
18. Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks: That team isn’t very good, and it’s effecting his value.
19. Brad Ziegler, Athletics: Health issues make Mike Wuertz fantasy relevant.  Hmmmm…
20. Kevin Gregg, Cubs: Spoke too soon about Marmol; “issues” make Gregg a must own. 

Fifth Tier:

21. Scott Downs, Blue Jays: Even when Ryan returns, expect Downs to get SV opps.
22. Mike Gonzalez, Braves: It’s clear that Rafael Soriano will push him.  Out of a job???
23. Fernando Rodney, Tigers: It’s clear that the job is his going forward.
24. LaTroy Hawkins, Astros: We’ve seen him close before, with our hands over our eyes

Whatever…

25. Matt Lindstrom, Marlins: Historic meltdown very telling.  Clearly on shaky ground.
26. Davis Aardsma, Mariners: Merely an injury fill in for Morrow. Don’t get too comfortable.
27. Troy Percival, Rays: He just looks like, well, I’m not supposed to talk like that.
28. Houston Street, Rockies: As bad as he and Corpas are pitching, does it matter?
29. George Sherrill, Orioles: Out as closer. With no clear replacement, he’s still a SV option.
30. Pick ‘Em, Nationals: Hanrahan out, Bullpen by Committee in. Not on e name stands out.

“Holding On” is the part of Pen Names where we turn our collective attention to those “other” members of the relief corps around baseball, the middle relievers, set-up men, and, in many cases, the Holds candidates.  We like to think of the Holding On nominees as the “best of the rest” of the Major League relief world.

Jose Arredondo, Angels: Ugly ratios disguise a pitcher that borders on dominant (esp. HLDs).

Carlos Marmol, Cubs: Keep an eye on his walks—14/12 K/BB ratio is pause for concern.

Jeremy Affeldt, Giants: Primary set-up man and main HLDs candidate.  Good pitchers park too.

Kiko Calero, Athletics: 18 Ks in 13IP suggests his injuries are a thing of the past. 

Shawn Kelley, Mariners: Who?  Trust me, 4 HLDs already and with Morrow on the DL…

Andrew Bailey, Athletics: Part of a deep A’s pen with a propensity for Ks (20 in 17IP).

You’d better watch out, you’d better not pout, you’d better not cry over some reliever guy, ‘cause Pen Names will b e comin’…to town.  We make our list, we check it twice, and we’re here to tell you who’s naughty (Houston Street) and nice (Jonathan Broxton). We even keep watch an hour a week (9PM EST) over internet radio: http://www.radiogrumblings.com/

Dear Alyssa Milano (or any of my loyal Pen Name readers),

If you want to email, you can reach me at:

damianschaab@sportsgrumblings.com