RADIO
The Reds are tinkering with their bullpen which may lead to another committee with a fireman, while the Red Sox, Twins, Rangers, and several others continued with the strategy. In "real life" baseball, the committee approach with a fireman is oftentimes the best strategy, but hoooo boy is it frustrating for fantasy owners.
We're starting summer, officially, so that means trade rumors are going to start swirling more and more. Brad Hand has been one of the best closers in baseball this year, but will he remain in Cleveland for long? What about guys like Sergio Romo, Will Smith, and Shane Greene? Where will they be pitching in August, and will it still be the ninth inning?
Take a look at our Closer Depth Chart, which is updated daily. Let's jump in and take a look at what's been going on in the bullpens around baseball.
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Bullpen News for Week 12
Cincinnati Reds
Raisel Iglesias has been fine as the closer for the Reds, but his 2.90 ERA and 13 saves weren't enough to keep him locked into the ninth inning. Manager David Bell is going with a committee and using Iglesias as his fireman. It started this week, as Iglesias pitched in the eighth inning a couple of times, getting the "hardest" outs but yielding the save situation to Michael Lorenzen. Lorenzen converted both opportunities this week and should be in line for more going forward. Iglesias will retain similar value in holds leagues, but his value will certainly drop quite a bit in standard formats. Michael Lorenzen, meanwhile, may see a significant spike in value in standard leagues going forward.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies got their closer, Wade Davis, back from the injured list recently, but it hasn't been a great addition so far. He's allowed at least one earned run in each of his last four appearances, and his ERA now sits at 5.40 even though he's only officially blown two saves. Pitching ahead of Davis is Scott Oberg, who filled in admirably while Davis was injured. Oberg has a sparkling 1.59 ERA, and even though he doesn't strike out a ton of guys, he's able to keep opponents off the scoreboard most of the time. He's has three saves and five holds so far this season, and he's next in line if Davis continues to struggle. He's not an elite relief option, but if he were to ascend to the role, he'd be worth owning in all formats. Holds league players should take a look and potentially pick up Oberg now, standard league players can consider him as a speculative add, but he's not a must-own just yet.
Boston Red Sox
Ryan Brasier returned from the bereavement list this week and immediately jumped into the ninth inning, earning his seventh save of the season. He'll continue to be part of the committee in Boston, although it does seem like Matt Barnes will remain at the top of the Red Sox bullpen depth chart.
Baltimore Orioles
Mychal Givens started the season as the closer in Baltimore, then he lost his job, then it seemed like he'd regained it. But now we're back to a committee in the Orioles bullpen, albeit one where Givens does seem to be at the top. Shawn Armstrong and Miguel Castro will share opportunities with Givens, making the Orioles bullpen one best avoided in fantasy. In deeper leagues, Givens would be the one to own.
Short Relief
- Adam Conley was thought of as a potential replacement for Sergio Romo in the ninth inning once Romo is traded, but an ERA that has hovered around 8.00 all season has knocked him down the hierarchy. Tayron Guerrero and Nick Anderson are both ahead of Conley on the depth chart now.
- Luke Jackson now has six blown saves this season despite very good peripheral stats. A.J. Minter is back up from Triple-A and he's been great, shortening Jackson's leash a bit.
- The Angels bullpen looks like it's finally set, with Hansel Robles in the ninth, Ty Buttrey in the eighth, and Cam Bedrosian in the seventh. Buttrey is the best pitcher on the team (besides perhaps designated hitter Shohei Ohtani) but Robles is the one to own in most formats.
- With Blake Parker struggling mightily of late, it looks like Trevor May might have jumped past him in the Minnesota bullpen depth chart. It's still a committee led by Taylor Rogers, and Parker is sure to still mix in from time to time, but it looks like it'll be mostly Rogers and May at least for now.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
Michael Lorenzen, Cincinnati Reds - Reds reliever/outfielder/pinch hitter Michael Lorenzen got two saves this week and may continue to work ninth innings with Raisel Iglesias moving into a fireman's role. Lorenzen is a bit of a speculative add right now, but he could pay off in standard leagues.
Trevor May, Minnesota Twins - May may have worked his way into the closer committee in Minnesota. He seems to have replaced Blake Parker as the right-handed complement to Taylor Rogers in the Twins bullpen.
Scott Oberg, Colorado Rockies - Wade Davis has struggled this season, especially so since his return from the injured list. Next in line for saves is Scott Oberg, and it might only take another bad outing from Davis to see a swap in the Rockies bullpen. Oberg is another speculative add for now, but the Colorado bullpen is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Drops
No immediate drops this week, but managers in shallower standard leagues may need to take a hard look at guys like Raisel Iglesias, Wade Davis, Blake Parker, and Ryan Brasier.
Best of the Week
Kirby Yates, San Diego Padres - 4 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 2.25 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
Kirby "Best Closer in Baseball" Yates saved three games this week, striking out four while allowing a run on two hits. He now has 26 saves, five more than anyone else in baseball.
Will Smith, San Francisco Giants - 3 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Will Smith had a strong week, picking up three saves by saving every game he appeared in. He allowed a run on two hits and a walk, but struck out six. He's been excellent this year, but almost certainly won't end the year as a member of the Giants bullpen.
Michael Lorenzen, Cincinnati Reds - 2 2/3 IP, 2 SV, 3 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP
Reds reliever/outfielder/pinch hitter Michael Lorenzen jumped into two save opportunities this week and converted both. He struck out three without allowing a single base runner.
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