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David A Marcillo looks at Week 6 closer performances around MLB for 2018, including bullpen changes. He identifies fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for saves.
It was quite an eventful week in bullpens across the league as some bullpens got a shot in the arm while others got a punch in the face. A closer landed on the disabled list, someone set a record by striking out all eight batters he faced, and we finally got some clarity from a confusing bullpen.
It was a week of highs and lows, with Josh Hader punching out eight-of-eight, Keone Kela almost punching out his team in the ninth inning, and Ken Giles almost punching out himself. It was a week not so much of shocking news and shocking performances, but more so one of confirmation. Things we all expected to happen, happened. Announcements we expected to hear were made. In the wacky world of bullpens, an expected week isn't always a bad thing.
Let's take a look at the news, the best performers, and any suggested moves for your fantasy team in this week's MLB Closers and Saves Report:
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Bullpen News for Week 6
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals signed Greg Holland to a one-year, $14 million contract on Opening Day. He was widely considered one of the best free agent pitchers available by those who did not pay attention to his second half performance in 2017. Holland waited out Spring Training and got his contract on the first day of the season. He worked in the minor leagues for a bit while Dominic Leone and Tyler Lyons worked in the closer's role. Bud Norris emerged as another ninth inning option while Holland was still getting ready as well. Once Holland was deemed ready, he joined the Cardinals bullpen and almost immediately got some save chances. Things went poorly, as Holland has posted a 7.36 ERA with eight walks and seven strikeouts. That, combined with Norris pitching well, led General Manager John Mozeliak to announce that Norris would be the team's closer for the "foreseeable future." It sounds like the team might want to leave a window cracked for Holland to return to the ninth inning down the road, but unless Norris struggles mightily, it's hard to see them making the switch any time soon. Norris has completely reinvented himself as a closer, posting a sterling 1.72 ERA (backed up by a 1.75 FIP) with a 12.64 K/9 and 1.15 BB/9. He already has six saves and should be earning plenty more. Holland can be let go of in most if not all formats, meanwhile Norris immediately becomes a must-own.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels started the season with a committee situation in the ninth inning, but Keynan Middleton emerged as manager Mike Scioscia's favorite ninth inning option and pitched well until he landed on the disabled list this week due to elbow inflammation. The team does not seem particularly worried about it though, and they expect Middleton back as soon as his 10-day stint is up. Still, there should be saves to be had in that time, and it seems like Cam Bedrosian will lead a temporary committee that will also include Blake Parker and Justin Anderson. Unless one of them pitches absolutely lights out while Middleton is out, Middleton's job should be safe until he gets back on the mound. Owners desperate for saves this week could pick up Bedrosian, but with Middleton's stay on the shelf expected to be brief, there are no immediate adds in this bullpen right now.
Baltimore Orioles
It was widely assumed that Brad Brach was the unquestioned Orioles closer until even-less-questioned closer Zach Britton was able to return from the disabled list. Brach was excellent in the replacement closer role when Britton missed time last season, but he's had a hard time this year, posting a 6.55 ERA while seeing a significant jump in his walks. Veteran submariner Darren O'Day has worked his way into the ninth inning, and while it's still officially a committee with Brach and Richard Bleier also involved, O'Day seems like he has quite the head start. He's worth a look for AL-only league owners struggling for saves, but the Orioles are struggling to get wins and while O'Day has decent strikeout upside, his 5.21 FIP is a bit concerning. Britton should be back sometime next month, and will presumably work his way right back into the ninth inning, so any member of the Orioles bullpen right now would be a low-upside temporary option anyway.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
Cam Bedrosian, Los Angeles Angels - Bedrosian isn't a must-add in any formats, but he does look like the leader of the committee in Anaheim while Keynan Middleton recovers from an elbow injury. Bedrosian should be a good source of strikeouts, and he could pick up a save or two over the next week. Owners hurting for saves could do worse as a temporary fix.
Darren O'Day, Baltimore Orioles - Similar to Bedrosian, O'Day is only a temporary solution, but he should stick around a little longer than his Angels counterpart. O'Day has taken over as the head of the Orioles ninth inning committee, but Zach Britton is expected back in about a month. Owners looking for saves can scoop up O'Day now and get some strikeout help along with a few saves here and there.
Drops
Greg Holland, St. Louis Cardinals - Something, something, mighty have fallen...Holland led the league in saves last year and then waited all through Spring Training to end up signing a one-year, $14 million contract with the Cardinals only to officially lose his chance at the closer job before the month of May even began. Bud Norris will be picking up saves "for the foreseeable future" in St. Louis, so Holland will just be one of baseball's most overpaid middle relievers.
Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles - Brach is still part of the committee in Baltimore, so although he has fallen behind Darren O'Day, he still isn't an immediate drop. Owners who don't have their eye on anyone in particular on the waiver wire should try to hang onto Brach for a few more games to see what happens. He's certainly droppable, however, if there is someone better available, even if it's O'Day himself.
Best of the Week
Brad Boxberger, Arizona Diamondbacks - 4 IP, 4 K, 4 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
DBacks closer Brad Boxberger had a rare four save week, also collecting four strikeouts while working in four innings across four games. He wasn't perfect, allowing a hit and three walks, but his fantasy owners certainly didn't mind.
Brandon Morrow, Chicago Cubs - 3 IP, 2 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
Cubs closer Brandon Morrow picked up three saves in three appearances this week, striking out two and allowing only two hits. The Brandon Morrow Renaissance is real, for anyone wondering if last season may have been a fluke.
Jeremy Jeffress, Milwaukee Brewers - 4 1/3 IP, 2 K, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.46 WHIP
Don't let the dominance of Josh Hader distract you from the fact that veteran Jeremy Jeffress picked up two saves in three games this week, striking out two while allowing just one hit and one walk. For the season, Jeffress has a ridiculous 0.51 ERA and 0.74 WHIP. The Brewers bullpen is unfair.
