Mound Musings: Let's Talk Bullpens

Bullpens are intriguing … and frustrating. The current closer isn't cutting it (or was just dealt) and you need saves. The set-up guy is pitching great. Won't he just step in? Closing is an art that some embrace and others disdain; it's as simple as that. Some pitchers can thrive in the environment, and some, even those who seem to have the perfect tool box, just can't seem to get comfortable in the role. Trades, injuries and ineffectiveness all contribute to what has become something of the norm – musical closers. That said, one of the questions I'm asked the most is, "Who is going to be the new closer in {name city now} that {name previous closer} is out?" I actually like that question, because it brings out the chance to do analysis. It's often not the most obvious answer so you have to look beyond the basics. Let's take a look…

Let's check in on some bullpens that are now, or soon could be, in flux:

Oakland A's – The A's have become regulars on this list as a team that seems to annually find itself in transition. This year's main man, Ryan Madson, has closing experience, but has also suffered through injuries that have sapped his power. He's done a mediocre job, and with his primary challengers Sean Doolittle and John Axford fumbling along, there's been no urgency to make a change. That said, Ryan Dull has been making his case for consideration, but he's probably not the real answer.

Texas Rangers – This year the Rangers have assembled one of the deepest pens in baseball and are clearly all in this season. Sam Dyson stepped in earlier this year and has a good fastball that he has gradually learned to throw for strikes. He's already rung up 25 saves so his job isn't in imminent danger, but with Jeremy Jeffress, lefty Jake Diekman and Keone Kela in the house it wouldn't take much of a stumble to get the current roles reevaluated. Interestingly, the team appears to like Jeffress in a set-up role so the first option might actually be a match-up committee.

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla is probably MLB's longest tenure closer in imminent danger of losing his job. The team has been passively looking for a reason (and a pitcher) to replace him for years so it's only a matter of time. The just acquired lefty Will Smith, but he is best suited to set-up work, they have plugged in Sergio Romo a few times, but he's not a true closer either. The best option is Hunter Strickland, but he can also pitch multiple innings earlier in games. Barring a major meltdown, or some kind of injury, Casilla probably closes out this season, but Strickland is just patiently waiting his turn – check again next spring.

Atlanta Braves – The Braves seemed comfortable with young Arodys Vizcaino closing out games, but a stretch of ineffectiveness and an oblique injury have opened the door for a handful of alternatives. Right now Jim Johnson is keeping the seat warm, but he's no long term threat. That mantle belongs to Mauricio Cabrera. He is still young and learning, but he came with a 100-plus mph fastball. Vizcaino will probably get his job back when he gets healthy, but it could be temporary if he doesn't start throwing strikes. The Braves have nothing to lose so don't be surprised if they toss Cabrera a few save opportunities late this season just to see how he handles that unique pressure,

Cincinnati Reds – This is the antithesis of the Rangers pen – nobody has really wanted to step up and nail down the critical roles. Right now, Tony Cingrani is holding the title of closer. That's better than starting, but he remains vulnerable to right-handed hitters and would be best serving as a lefty specialist. On the MLB roster, Raisel Iglesias might very well be the best answer. Overall, the Reds' pitching strength resides in the minor leagues. Brandon Finnegan and Cody Reed are already up, and there is more help on the way. Perhaps the best closing alternative, and saves sleeper, is also maybe the best starting prospect in the system. Keep an eye on Amir Garrett. The Reds want him to have a chance to start, but he could close as an interim stepping stone.

Colorado Rockies – Closing in Coors Field has its own set of challenges, but somebody is going to collect a few saves. Carlos Estevez is the current placeholder after Jake McGee struggled, but the guy they were grooming for the job before he underwent Tommy John surgery in May, 2015 is back and probably on a path that will eventually see him closing again. Adam Ottavino just needs to get and stay fully healthy. He's not closing yet as that would make it more difficult to manage his workload. They won't want to overdo it until he is back to 100%, so he may not be ready to step back in until next year. He has the stuff to be effective, even in hitter heaven, so keep an eye on him heading into September and in spring training next season.

Minnesota Twins – Once the stronghold of top tier closer Glen Perkins, the Twins' pen hasn't been the same since Perkins began suffering from shoulder and neck woes last season. Early this year he underwent surgery to repair a badly torn labrum. He's out this year and his career could be in jeopardy, so is there an heir apparent? They first tried Kevin Jepsen; that was a train wreck. Currently Brandon Kintzler holds the reins, but he's just treading water. Ryan Pressley could push Kintzler, but the guy with the best tools, Trevor May, just needs to stay healthy and be productive for a stretch.

St. Louis Cardinals – I'm pretty sure the Cardinals still see Trevor Rosenthal as their long term closer, but he's going to have to prove that he can throw strikes consistently before he can be trusted with end game responsibilities. He's currently out with a sore shoulder – never a good thing but supposedly not serious – so the Cardinals are relying on Japanese import Seung Whan Oh who saved 357 games over 11 years in Japan before crossing the Pacific prior to this season. He's been there, and he is a more than capable fill-in until Rosenthal gets it together. And if he doesn't? "Oh" well.

Some Notable Rotation Ramblings:

• Taijuan Walker was just sent to Triple-A by the Mariners who listed "lack of competitiveness" as well as poor performance as the reasons for the demotion. This is a problematic diagnosis that can quickly chase me off of a pitcher's bandwagon although his demeanor may have already accomplished that.

• The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw has begun a throwing program after being out since late June with a balky back. That's the good news, but even if he avoids setbacks he isn't likely to be on the mound again until early next month, and even then the team probably won't push him very hard. Sorry, wait until next year.

• Yankees' right-hander Nathan Eovaldi left his last start after just one inning (12 pitches) with discomfort in his right elbow. He hasn't missed any time this year but he suffered from elbow inflammation last September. Perhaps most revealing, the team immediately sent him back to New York to have it assessed.

• Colorado pitchers can be agonizing to watch. I really like Jon Gray, but I have avoided having him (and other promising Rockies' starters) on my fantasy team rosters. After an impressive run dating back to early July, he was battered last time out. The challenge is predicting those horrid starts. It's tough to do.

• I know readers are always sniffing around the waiver wire looking for guys arriving who could contribute. The A's loaded up on kid arms like Jharel Cotton at the deadline. He's smallish (5'10") but has three quality pitches, good command, and a little funk in his delivery. He might fare well if he gets a call.

• Okay, he's not in the rotation (yet), but I had the chance to watch the MLB debut of Cardinals' blue chipper, Alex Reyes. Move him up a couple of notches on the prospects to watch chart. He struck the first hitter he faced with a 101 mph fastball at the shoulders. Just work on the command and change-up.
  

The Endgame Odyssey:

Here are a few more short takes on bullpens around baseball. The Angels have installed Cam Bedrosian as their closer with Huston Street out with inflammation in his knee. There is supposedly no structural damage, but there is also no firm timetable for his return. Consider this an audition for Bedrosian. Edwin Diaz has been sharp, albeit without his trademark strikeouts, for the Mariners since taking over for the now injured Steve Cishek. The whiffs will be back and I think Diaz will gradually solidify his hold on the gig. I refuse to get on the Jeanmar Gomez bandwagon in Philadelphia. Sorry folks, he's not that good, and I still see Hector Neris finishing games at some point. The Indians have let Cody Allen close games, but I think Andrew Miller will get the call more and more often. He is probably a must own handcuff in Cleveland.
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