What does Huston have to proof at this point to the A's?
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Closing Notes
The Red Sox made the biggest news of contenders in the American League when they snagged Eric Gagne from the Rangers earlier in the week. That set off fireworks throughout the ranks of fantasy owners as those who had been relying on Gagne for saves saw him go from full time closing to getting saves only on nights when Jonathan Papelbon had the night off. Overall though, considering the Rangers propensity for not winning much, it may not turn out to be as big a hit as some think. The Red Sox are almost certainly going to the playoffs and should win enough games to end the season with the best record in baseball. That is enough to guarantee save opportunities to satisfy Papelbon and Gagne. Considering both pitchers have histories of wearing down (Papelbon) and going down with injury (Gagne), the move actually makes perfect sense in “real” baseball terms. Gagne owners shouldn’t panic as he will certainly receive his share of saves with the Red Sox working to protect Papelbon from shoulder fatigue that struck him down at the end of last season. The player who takes the biggest hit in value in terms of saves is Hideki Okajima who was the “man” when Papelbon was held out of a save opportunity. Yet, Okajima’s value was never in saves but in holds for owners who were in fantasy leagues that used the hold category.
Manny Corpas of the Colorado Rockies is certainly making people forget about Brian Fuentes fast. He is 7-for-7 in save opportunities in his last ten appearances with a 0.96 ERA. As a closer, he is actually striking out more than nine batters per nine innings pitched, which is more than two strikeouts more per nine innings than he was knocking out as a set up guy. Fuentes has value to other teams and should be moved by next season, but the Rockies will probably not be able to move him during the waiver trade period due to the value he would present to several teams. Yet, severe questions still follow Fuentes as he was predicted to come of the DL weeks ago and has obviously run into roadblocks during his rehab period.
Oakland seems to be a little confused when it comes to their closer situation. Alan Embree continues to finish games while Huston Street fumes in his setup role. Clearly, there is nothing wrong with Street at this point as evidenced by his seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings since returning from the DL. Yet, his manager says they are waiting to see Street in back to back games while Street says he has already told them he is ready to face that test. After Calero blew the game on Sunday, it should be just a matter of time before Geren regains his sanity and settles everyone back into the roles that were set at the beginning of the season.
Matt Capps must feel a little cursed. He blew his only save opportunity in more than a month when he allowed three earned runs against Cincinnati. This wouldn’t be such a big deal if it hadn’t also been his only save opportunity in the last month and a half. Capps has all of his nine saves pre-July 4, which can’t be good for a young closer when you are trying to establish some consistency. Still, his control has been excellent as he has only allowed one walk since June, and he hadn’t allowed a run over the same period previous to his outing against Cincinnati. He is an excellent young closing option for Pittsburgh, but they had better find ways to win to keep the youngster sharp.
Tampa Bay is glad to officially have Al Reyes closing again. It would just be nice if they would provide him with some save opportunities to go with that title. Reyes and the Devil Rays haven’t had much to celebrate recently as they have been involved in the traditional Devil Rays nosedive that has come to be associated with the franchise. Reyes has looked solid in his last four outings since imploding against Baltimore, but he hasn’t looked sharp. With little hope for the future this season look to deal Reyes if you have him to some contender desperate for saves while he has some value.
Overall closing statistical leaders
Saves
1. Francisco Cordero, Milwaukee Brewers – 34
2. Jose Valverde, Arizona Diamondbacks –33
3. Bobby Jenks, Chicago White Sox – 32
3. JJ Putz, Seattle Mariners – 32
5. Joe Borowski, Cleveland Indians – 30
Strikeouts
1. Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels – 61
1. Francisco Cordero, Milwaukee Brewers – 61
2. Kevin Gregg, Florida Marlins – 59
3. Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox – 58
4. Billy Wagner, New York Mets – 57
ERA
1. Billy Wagner, New York Mets – 1.33
2. JJ Putz, Seattle Mariners – 1.38
3. Jason Isringhausen, St. Louis Cardinals – 1.39
4. Takashi Saito, Los Angeles Dodgers – 1.48
5. Trevor Hoffman, San Diego Padres – 1.62
Rising/Falling
Rising
Manny Corpas, Colorado Rockies
He is showing the stuff of champions in his first turn as a closer for the Rockies. Move him up to tier two.
C.J. Wilson, Texas Rangers
For now, the job is his. With Akinori Otsuka returning at some point though, it might not be for long. Start him in tier four.
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Dotel is gone, and the job is once again his. He did fine with it the last time, so he goes back to tier three.
Jamie Walker and Danys Baez, Baltimore Orioles
This duo will be sharing saves in Baltimore until Chris Ray returns, if that ever happens.
Falling
JJ Putz, Seattle Mariners
I didn’t object too much when my colleague filled in one week and created the “Elite” category, yet, as much as I like JJ Putz, he is not ready to assume that mantle just yet.
Octavio Dotel, Atlanta Braves and Eric Gagne, Boston Red Sox
Thanks for the saves when you were healthy, guys. Maybe we can get do it again next year.
The Rankings
Tier One: The Best of the Best
Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins
Billy Wagner, New York Mets
Francisco Cordero, Milwaukee Brewers
Jason Isringhausen, St. Louis Cardinals
Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
Takashi Saito, Los Angeles Dodgers
Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels
Jose Valverde, Arizona Diamondbacks
Trevor Hoffman, San Diego Padres
Tier Two: Just A Notch Below The Best
Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs
Bobby Jenks, Chicago White Sox
Al Reyes, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
Manny Corpas, Colorado Rockies
Tier Three: Getting the Job Done
Kevin Gregg, Florida Marlins
Chad Cordero, Washington Nationals
David Weathers, Cincinnati Reds
Joe Borowski, Cleveland Indians
Bob Wickman, Atlanta Braves
Matt Capps, Pittsburgh Pirates
Alan Embree, Oakland Athletics
Jeremy Accardo, Toronto Blue Jays
Todd Jones, Detroit Tigers
Brad Lidge, Houston Astros
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Tier Four: Shaky, But Closing
C.J. Wilson, Texas Rangers
Brett Myers, Philadelphia Phillies
Brad Hennessey, San Francisco Giants
Injured
Chris Ray, Baltimore Orioles - 15 day
Brian Fuentes, Colorado Rockies – 15 Day
BJ Ryan, Toronto Blue Jays – 60 Day (Out until 2008)
Questions and comments may be sent to jamierugg@sportsgrumblings.com
