Closing Notes
We’re back after a brief hiatus, and this is a good point to catch everything up to this date. There have been huge changes throughout the league between injuries, trades and some general disarray in Philadelphia with both Brett Myers and Tom Gordon injured, so we’ll catch everything up in rising/falling.
Rising
Jeremy Accardo, Toronto Blue Jays
He has been pretty much lights out for the Toronto Blue Jays to this point, and shows no signs of letting up. 7-for-8 in save opportunities with a 1.07 ERA and a one to one strikeout to inning ration earns him a move into Tier Two.
Alan Embree, Oakland Athletics
He has been solid as the closer for the Athletics. His best days are behind him, but he has the experience and toughness to hold the fort while Street heals. Put him in Tier Three.
Octavio Dotel, Kansas City
He’s back finally, but it hasn’t been pretty just yet. He’s only made four appearances though so we’ll start him in tier three until he has more of a record for us to judge.
Brad Hennessey, San Francisco
The huge sigh of relief you hear is from the fans in San Francisco as they waved bye-bye to Armando Benitez. Hennessey is showing a solid closing mentality, and he is a far cry more consistent than Benitez at this point. Start him in Tier Three.
Kevin Gregg, Florida Marlins
Gregg has risen from the dust heap in Florida, and he has pitched like a top tier closer to this point. He is a sleeper option for the rest of the season with things the way they are in the bullpen in Florida. He’s in Tier Three for now, but is knocking on the Tier Two door.
Jason Isringhausen, St. Louis Cardinals
His 1.64 ERA is one of the tops, and he is excellent form to date. It looks like Izzie is fully healthy and cruising. He deserves a move into the top tier.
Chad Cordero, Washington Nationals
It seemed silly moving him into tier four in the first place. He has dropped his ERA from 4.41 to 2.82 since May 16. It’s just too bad that he doesn’t get more save opportunities. Move him back to Tier Three.
Antonio Alfonseca, Philadelphia Phillies
Albeit temporarily, Alfonseca will get the ninth inning work until Brett Myers comes off the disabled list. Alfonseca captured his second save of the season on Tuesday night.
Falling
Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
Not a popular move in some circles, but Papelbon is inconsistent at the moment. I’m sure he’ll be back in the top tier before long.
Chris Ray, Baltimore Orioles
Like Papelbon, Ray just hasn’t been consistent with his great stuff blowing four saves to this point in the season. We’ll move him down to Tier Three to take the pressure off for a little while.
Tier One: The Best
Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins
Billy Wagner, New York Mets
Francisco Cordero, Milwaukee Brewers
Jason Isringhausen, St. Louis Cardinals
Tier Two: Just A Notch Below The Best
Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
Jeremy Accardo, Toronto Blue Jays
Jose Valverde, Arizona Diamondbacks
Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels
Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs
Brian Fuentes, Colorado Rockies
JJ Putz, Seattle Mariners
Takashi Saito, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bobby Jenks, Chicago White Sox
Trevor Hoffman, San Diego Padres
Al Reyes, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tier Three: Getting The Job Done
Chris Ray, Baltimore Orioles
Chad Cordero, Washington Nationals
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
Dan Wheeler, Houston Astros
David Weathers, Cincinnati Reds
Joe Borowski, Cleveland Indians
Todd Jones, Detroit Tigers
Bob Wickman, Atlanta Braves
Kevin Gregg, Florida Marlins
Solomon Torres, Pittsburgh Pirates
Eric Gagne, Texas Rangers
Octavio Dotel, Kansas City Royals
Alan Embree, Oakland Athletics
Brad Hennessey, San Francisco Giants
Injured
Tom Gordon, Philadelphia Phillies – 15 day
BJ Ryan, Toronto Blue Jays – rest of the season
Huston Street, Oakland Athletics-15 day
Brett Myers, Philadelphia -15 day
Have a question or comment for Jamie? Email him at jamierugg@sportsgrumblings.com.
