Brian Wilson, Giants

Pen Names is back after a week off.  Sorry about that; there were circumstances beyond my control that I simply could not get around—hence the “out of my control” part.  Long story short, I was out of town on assignment at a facility that was supposed to have wireless internet access, but technological failings prevented me from so much as checking my email (except by phone) for nearly an entire week.  That doesn’t sound all that bad, but for fantasy players…  Yah, damn.  We’ve collectively grown accustomed to certain conveniences, that’s for sure.  The fact that I had to phone a friend from the woods of Pennsylvania to have him adjust my rosters all while trusting him not to drop my all star players just to spite me was a source of stress.  Even more stressful was the knowledge that I wouldn’t be able to fulfill my Pen Names obligations for the week.  I know many of you trust my, um, expert knowledge, and even more of you just like reading my clever, and highly entertaining prose.  With that in mind, I thank you all for understanding.  I hope to never let you down again, even if we all know that’s an unrealistic lie.

So…

Philadelphia, PA: Speaking of Pennsylvania, what’s a Pen Names installation without the obligatory Brad Lidge plug?  Lidge, on the DL with a sore knee (and a host of sore owners) is expected to be activated later this week.  Immediately, this means interim-closer Ryan Madson will be pushed back to 8^th inning duties.  Surprisingly, this move should sit well with everyone, even Madson owners.  Madson was abused in three straight appearances (June 16, 18, 20)—blowing two saves and picking up a pair of losses to boot. Everyone, myself included, was a little surprised by his lack of effectiveness in the role.  Sure, Lidge hasn’t exactly been the bastion of consistency at the back end of the pen, but Madson just seemed to crack under the pressure (pulled a Lidge?).  Getting things back to normal in Philadelphia may help to normalize thing in fantasyland too.  After all, Madson still retains much of his value, even in non-holds leagues, due to his K/9 and stellar ratios—this last week notwithstanding.

Los Angeles, CA: The game’s top rated closer for basically the entire year, Jonathan Broxton, finally showed he’s human after all.  Broxton gave up 2 earned runs in back-to-back games on June 20 and 21.  I’m not one to push the panic button right away, but he’s been getting used pretty heavily this year, as any member of a Joe Torre bullpen can attest is pretty much par for the course.  Maybe he’s just a little tired.  Until we know more, that’s what I’m going with.  However, just in case, keep an eye on Ramon Troncoso (7 HLD, 4 SV) and perhaps even Ronald Belisario (39/17 K/BB), as both have shined in middle relief to date.

Arlington, TX: Frank Francisco too is back.  Like Lidge, he’s been something of a Pen Names mainstay, especially of late.  Being bumped back and forth between the bullpen and the disabled list has a way of making fantasy columnists take note, and I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t bring mention to Francisco’s latest foray into, well, good health. I mean, we have yet to see exactly how healthy he is, so C.J. Wilson owners may not want to sever ties just yet.  With the rate of attrition at the closer position, today’s trash is tomorrow’s treasure—to say nothing of an effective arm like Wilson.  Even if he’s not closing, well…  Okay, Wilson sort of needs to be closing to retain value, but do keep an eye on this situation, as it could go back and forth all year depending on Francisco’s availability.

Houston, TX: LaTroy Hawkins has been stripped of his interim-closer title, and that’s just fine by Jose Valverde owners.  Valverde had been out since April with a strained calf, but finally returned and produced right away.  He’s notched 3 saves and a hold since coming off the DL on June 13, and hasn’t looked back.  His owners are elated, but I still think there’s a potential buy-low here for interested parties.  His value has been suppressed by that long DL stint, and he may still be had for less than market value.  And, he’s one of the few closers left that have 25+ SV potential going forward. Holds league aficionados should still find value in Hawkins, for what it’s worth, even if he’s traded as the rumor mill suggests.

Pen Name rankings…

First Tier (the best of the best):

1. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers: 2 ER in back-to-back games.  An “issue”?
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Mets: Finally blew a save, but it wasn’t his fault.
3. Joe Nathan, Twins: I couldn’t write a bad word about him if I tried.
4. Heath Bell, Padres: He’s been a godsend for those that knew enough to draft him.
5. Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox: WHIP still looks odd (1.40), but perfect in June.
6. Mariano Rivera, Yankees: Hall of Fame closer keeps reminding us of why.

Second Tier:

7. Bobby Jenks, White Sox: Improved K numbers make him far more valuable than in ’08.
8. Francisco Cordero, Reds: His numbers are far better than his reputation.
9. Ryan Franklin, Cardinals: I’ll take some heat for making him top 10, but the #s don’t lie
10. Trevor Hoffman, Brewers: A couple of hiccups, but the old man clearly still has ”it”.
11. Brian Wilson, Giants: He hasn’t allowed a run since May 21^st—that’s a month, people.

Third Tier:

12. Aaron Bailey, Athletics: Zeigler did get a save, but Bailey was unavailable, so fret not.
13. Huston Street, Rockies: He’s been really, really good, and the team is still winning.
14. Frank Francisco, Rangers: Coming back (again) but injury concerns linger.
15. Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks: Hasn’t been as dominant, but there’s no job insecurity
16. Joakim Soria, Royals: Still no saves since his big return, but that’s more of a team thing.
17. Jose Valverde, Astros: Came back on June 13^th and has looked like old, closer self.

Fourth Tier:

18. Brian Fuentes, Angels: Ratios aren’t improving; team may be shopping for relief help.
19. Mike Gonzalez/ Rafael Soriano, Braves: Basically a split-backfield bullpen
20. Matt Capps, Pirates: After a rocky May, he’s had a great June (6 saves).
21. David Aardsma, Mariners: At what point is a guy’s success real?  THIS point?
22. George Sherrill, Orioles: Chris Ray’s back with the O’s, but Sherrill’s the closer.

Fifth Tier:

23. Kerry Wood, Indians: And to think I predicted top 10 numbers…[gulp].
24. Fernando Rodney, Tigers: He’s the rocky road of the 30 bullpen flavors
25. Ryan Madson, Phillies: Lidge is due back this week, and Madson couldn’t be happier.
26. Kevin Gregg, Cubs: He’s gotten better every month, but I’m still not a big fan.

Some “other” names:

27. Matt Lindstrom, Marlins: Still getting saves but still getting hit, sometimes HARD.
28. J.P. Howell, Rays: Still more blown saves than saves, but he’s settled into the job
29. Committee?, Blue Jays: Downs went, well, down, and no one’s really filled the void yet
30. Mike MacDougal, Nationals: Pair of saves look nice, 9/13 K/ BB…not so much.

“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…

Arthur Rhodes, Reds: Aged veteran has 13 holds with a 1.82 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. Seriously.

Jose Arredondo, Angels: Sent to minors to “work on some things”.  Doesn’t look promising.

Matt Guerrier, Twins: Sub-1.00 WHIP and team-leading 12 holds drawing little attention.

Chris Sampson, Astros: 3 wins, 3 saves, 11 holds, and useful ratios…what’s not to like?

Ronald Belisario, Dodgers: 0.9K/IP looks nice, and may get more looks with Broxton ailing.

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

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