Mariano Rivera, Yankees

Pen Names seems to be getting more informative by the day.  Maybe it’s because we have that much more closer news to cover.  Maybe it’s because I have fewer and fewer interesting (?) stories to tell.  Maybe it’s a combination of the two.  Maybe it’s something else entirely, like the average annual corn yield in Iowa.  Maybe.  In any event, we’re back again this week with oodles of great, free news and advice.  We’re sportsgrumblings.com; that’s what we do, and everything we do, we do it for you, and you, and you and you.  No, not you…that guy.  Yah, you.  Nice hat, by the way.  Where’d you get that?  I mean, I can’t pull off a hat like that, but it looks cool.  Wait, I already wrote something about less banter and more analysis.  Oops.  Well, anyhow…

Philadelphia, PA: there’s a crack in the Liberty Bell, and the bell’s name is Brad Lidge.  Brad Lidge was placed on the DL with a balky knee, so Lidge owners finally have a reason for why their “stud” closer has been struggling so much and so often in 2009 after being perfect-o in ‘08.  It would seem that highly effective Ryan Madson would slide into 9^th inning duties with recently activated J.C. Romero assuming the set-up role.  Madson is sporting useful ratios (2.22, 1.06) and has racked up the Ks at better than 1

Washington D.C. (Da Capitol): If you’ve been following Pen Names, we’ve been following behind the elephant in the circus parade that is the Nationals bullpen, holding the shovel with one hand and typing away with the other.  The news this week is that Joel Hanrahan is [yawn] out as closer yet again, and [gulp] Mike MacDougal is in.  To be fair, MacDougal did have two partially productive seasons with the Royals back in 2003 (27 SV) and 2005 (21 SV), respectively.  He served as their closer, with little distinction, but he held the job just the same.  Be forewarned here…he’s not the pitcher he was all those years ago.  He lacks the power arm, and he lacks the control (even more so).  Manager Manny Acta seems to be playing a game of motivational yo-yo with Hanrahan who, for whatever reason, just seems to pitch better when he’s not burdened with the title of closer.  This is to say that I don’t feel this move will be in any way permanent.  Hanrahan will still see some save chances, if not in the short term, certainly down the road.  Add MacDougal if you must, but don’t expect much. After all, the White Sox parted ways with MacDougal after he posted a 12.46 ERA in 5 games to start the year.

Arlington, TX: I really developed a fondness for Frank Francisco, despite not owning him in a single league.  Really, it was this column that forced me to appreciate all he was doing, even while pitching through pain.  He’s been wickedly effective when he has pitched too (0.46, 0.81), but he hasn’t toed the rubber since June 3.  Another trip to the DL may be in his immediate future.  If that happens, look for C.J. Wilson (he of the 5 saves) to fill in.  Wilson hadn’t surrendered a run all of May, but was finally touched up by the Yankees on June 4.  Because of Francisco’s unavailability, I was this close to officially naming Wilson as the closer, but I’m holding off until we hear something more official on the injury front—for now.  Still, consider Wilson a strong speculative add, especially in the short-term. 

Houston, TX: It’s somewhat difficult for me to admit, but LaTroy Hawkins hasn’t been terrible as a closer-pro tem.  His 1.69 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in May were very un-Hawkins like, and he’s managed to convert 8 of 10 save opportunities while the rest of the fantasy world has waited (im)patiently for the return of Jose Valverde.  Valverde appears to finally be on the mend and may return to the Astros as soon as this weekend.  He’s scheduled to start a rehab assignment with AA Corpus Christi on Wednesday.  If and when he does return, Hawkins will be pushed back to middle relief duties.  But wait…  Hold on to Hawkins for now, perhaps even after Valverde returns.  There’s no guarantee that Valverde pitches well out of the gate, nor can we be sure he stays with the team.  There are still rumors circulating that Valverde could be one of the many high-priced veterans Houston is shopping.  Should he be moved to a closer starved team (Tampa Bay?), Valverde would retain his value, but Hawkins would regain his. 

Pen Name rankings…

First Tier (the best of the best):

1. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers: Leads all relievers in Ks...and wins, for what it’s worth.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Mets: The Putz injury shouldn’t effect K-Rod.  He’s still money.
3. Joe Nathan, Twins: He’s good, and it’s not just the Twins fan in me talking here.
4. Mariano Rivera, Yankees: Forced to intentionally walk a batter may have cost him.
5. Heath Bell, Padres: He just keeps rolling along, and he’s for real, by the way.
6. Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox: A nice way to round out the elite.

Second Tier:

7. Bobby Jenks, White Sox: K rate returning to pre-2008 territory..
8. Francisco Cordero, Reds: We’re not used to Cordero being this good, but...
9. Trevor Hoffman, Brewers: 15/15 in save opportunities and an immaculate ERA (0.00).
10. Joakim Soria, Royals: 2 healthy outings, but no saves.  Moving up slowly.
11. Ryan Franklin, Cardinals: I may regret this, but his numbers warrant the move.  Really.

Third Tier:

12. Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks: HR to diminutive D. Eckstein a vision of things to come?
13. Brian Wilson, Giants: He and Qualls statically similar in many ways, including rankings.
14. Brian Fuentes, Angels: WHIP still higher than we’d like to see.  Saves are there though.
15. Mike Gonzalez, Braves: Improved K rate helping his Pen Names cause.
16. Scott Downs, Blue Jays: Still not racking up saves, but other numbers are solid.
17. Frank Francisco, Rangers: Injury news has me concerned.  Preemptive drop?

Fourth Tier:

18. Aaron Bailey, Athletics:2^nd most Ks among relievers and now entrenched as A’s closer.
19. Houston Street, Rockies: Regained the form that once made him an elite closer.
20. Kerry Wood, Indians: 5.59 ERA and 1.60 WHIP and not pitching enough to improve.
21. Matt Capps, Pirates: Pen Names loves Capps, you should too.  0 ER since May 18.
22. Fernando Rodney, Tigers: Zumaya has the arm but Rodney has the job.
23. George Sherrill, Orioles: Chris Ray is in the minors, further securing Sherrill’s job.

Fifth Tier:

24. David Aardsma, Mariners: The job seems to be his for as long as he’s effective.
25. Ryan Madson, Phillies: Temporary closer (for Lidge)  = temporary ranking.
26. Kevin Gregg, Cubs: May not even be the 3^rd best arm in the Cubs pen, but he’s closing.
27. LaTroy Hawkins, Astros: Valverde to start rehab assignment this week. Tick, tick, tick.

Some “other” names:

28. Matt Lindstrom, Marlins: With Nunez looming, he may not be long for this list.
29. Mike MacDougal, Nationals: Look who made his way back to Pen Names.
30. Mess in Tampa, Rays: Still anyone’s job.  This one defines closer by committee.

“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.  This week’s best of the rest…

Leo Nunez, Marlins: See?  We discussed in Holding On that he might get some looks at closer.

Sean White, Mariners: BB rate a concern, but he hasn’t surrendered a run in over a month.

Luke Gregorson, Padres: 0.52 ERA, 5 HLDS K/9 right a 1 make him an under-the-radar gem.

Michael Wuertz, A’s: 8 HLDs, 2 SVs, 2 Ws and a WHIP under 1.00.  Nice production, no?

Bobby Parnell, Mets: With Putz out for a while, he and Pedro Feliciano will be setting up.

If you want to email, you can reach me at:damianschaab@sportsgrumblings.com

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