Kerry Wood, despite the rough start, is getting the job done as the closer.

Closers on the Shelf

In years past, the official team websites would list on their depth charts players that were on the disabled list along with the healthy players. Well, the Blue Jays’ depth chart has no mention whatsoever of B.J. Ryan, instead choosing to list only Jeremy Accardo, and they do so with him listed as the closer.

That is probably a good idea.

The joke I have been making of late about this situation is, “Know why Hillary Clinton lied about Bosnia? Her speechwriters come from the Blue Jays medical staff.” The fact is, one simply cannot believe anything in regards to a player’s health when it comes from the Blue Jays. Last year, the Blue Jays were saying that Ryan would be back in four to six weeks, and that he would not pick up a ball for at least four weeks. How then would he be back in six? It made no sense, but few called them on it. This offseason, the Blue Jays told us that Ryan would be back for the start of the season, despite his having had Tommy John surgery, and players never coming back in under a year, and never effectively in under eighteen months. Yet, despite 30+ years of history of this, we were supposed to believe that Ryan is somehow a greater specimen than every other pitcher in the history of the surgery, and that he would be fine. Well, he is back on the shelf although the Blue Jays are promising he will be back any day now.

Considering how often the Blue Jays have lied about his health, are we really to believe them now?

The reason Accardo appears in their depth charts as the closer is because he is the closer, and he will be the closer for a while to come. Expecting Ryan to return anytime soon and be effective is foolhardy and contrary to decades of experiences.

Meanwhile, in Seattle, J.J. Putz blew a save opportunity in his first chance of the season, and he hurt himself in the process, ending up on the disabled list. Putz should be back soon enough, and the silliness that has resulted from his departure, with excessive bidding on Mark Lowe, is uncalled for. The Mariners will go with a committee until Putz’ return, making any bet on who will get saves risky, and Putz will not even be out for too much longer, likely returning sometime next week. Do not go crazy looking for who will get saves in Seattle while he is gone.

At least the Mariners still list Putz on the team’s depth chart…

Another closer on the mend is Chad Cordero, who the Nationals have placed on the disabled list. Cordero is out with right shoulder tendonitis, but the Nationals backdated the move to during Spring Training and Cordero should return shortly, likely by midweek, if not sooner. In the meanwhile, Jon Rauch has had the opportunity to show off why many believe he will be the closer of the future there. Could the future be now? If Cordero is not 100% when he returns, maybe.

Struggling Closer

Huston Street is not enjoying the new season. In his first outing, in Japan, Street allowed three hits, one of which left the yard, a walk, and three earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. In his second outing, he allowed just one hit, but it too left the yard. In his third, again, he only allowed one hit, and it was another home run. In 3 2/3 innings, Street has now allowed five hits, three home runs, one walk, and five earned runs. For now, Street is still safe, but there is only so much rope in the Athletics’ bullpen.

Part of Street’s problem is that there is not just one reliever making a name for himself early on behind Street, but two relievers. First, we have Santiago Casilla, who has allowed only two hits in five innings over four games, while striking out six and walking none. The second is Keith Foulke, the erstwhile closer who showed so much pride in his game that he retired last year rather than collect a pay check from the Indians while sitting around injured. Foulke is not only healthy, but he has been quite solid so far, with three hits, one run, no walks, and six strikeouts in five appearances. If Street continues to falter, either of these pitchers, but more likely Foulke due to his experience, could step into the role.

K is for Save?

Yes, Kerry Wood’s first outing was not pretty, we get that. However, his job is closing, not coming in when it is not a save situation. In two save opportunities so far, he has allowed one hit, no walks, no runs, and he has struck out two while converting both. For now, this shift looks like it will work out – now, he just needs to stay healthy…

Picking Up Where He Left Off

Jared Burton pitched quite well in 2007 in a setup role, and he is back to doing so this year. He did allow a home run in his first outing, but that is the only baserunner to reach against him so far in three innings, while he has struck out six. If Francisco Cordero were ever to be injured, Burton is making a solid case for himself being the next best option for saves in Cincinnati.

The Rankings

Here they are – the debut rankings for the 2008 season. These rankings will move up and down as the season goes on, and be sure to check them out every weekend here at Sports Grumblings.

Tier One: the Crème de la Crème

Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox

Jose Valverde, Houston Astros
Bobby Jenks, Chicago White Sox

Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins

Tier Two: the Elite

Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds

Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels

Takashi Saito, Los Angeles Dodgers

Jason Isringhausen, St. Louis Cardinals

Trevor Hoffman, San Diego Padres

Manny Corpas, Colorado Rockies

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees

Tier Three: Solid, But Unspectacular 

Kevin Gregg, Florida Marlins

Jeremy Accardo, Toronto Blue Jays

Matt Capps, Pittsburgh Pirates
George Sherrill, Baltimore Orioles
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals

Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs

Billy Wagner, New York Mets

Rafael Soriano, Atlanta Braves


Tier Four: At Least They Get Saves…

Éric Gagné, Milwaukee Brewers

C.J. Wilson, Texas Rangers

Troy Percival, Tampa Bay Rays

Brandon Lyon, Arizona Diamondbacks
Tom Gordon, Philadelphia Phillies

Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants
Jon Rauch, Washington Nationals


Tier Five: On Shaky Ground

Todd Jones, Detroit Tigers
Joe Borowski, Cleveland Indians

Huston Street, Oakland Athletics

Mark Lowe, Seattle Mariners

Injured Reserve
J.J. Putz, Seattle Mariners

B.J. Upton, Toronto Blue Jays

Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies
Chad Cordero, Washington Nationals