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David A Marcillo looks at Week 15 closer performances around MLB for 2018, including bullpen changes. He identifies fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for saves.
LeBron to the Dodgers? Yellow card and an early exit for Mike Trout? It was an eventful week in sports, but not so much in baseball, and even less in the bullpens. One closer hit the disabled list while another came off, and a West Coast committee started to clear up a bit.
With the trade deadline approaching, this week seemed very much like the calm before the storm. We heard about teams interested in acquiring some bullpen pieces, but haven't had any deals materialize just yet outside of the Kelvin Herrera to the Nationals deal. Rumors, sources, mystery teams, and last minute deals are coming, so it was nice to enjoy a week where Twitter didn't need to be constantly refreshed.
All that and more in this week's Closers and Saves Report, so let's dive into the news, the best performers, and any suggested moves for your fantasy team this week:
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Bullpen News for Week 15
Detroit Tigers
Tigers closer Shane Greene has been solid this season, saving 19 games and posting a 4.03 ERA while striking out a bit more than a batter per inning (9.95 K/9). He's been able to keep his walks at a career low rate of 2.61 BB/9, leading to his success. He's a trade candidate before the July 31 deadline, but he'll be spending some time on the disabled list in the meantime. Greene landed on the DL this week due to a shoulder strain. "Closer of the future" Joe Jimenez blew his first save chance, but should remain "the guy" in Detroit, at least until Greene returns. This will be a good preview of how Jimenez might do if Greene is traded. Keep an eye on this bullpen around the deadline: Greene is very unlikely to maintain a closer role on another team, so his value could be expiring. Meanwhile, Jimenez could be dropped in some leagues once Greene comes back, savvy owners would pick him up expecting the Greene trade at the deadline.
Atlanta Braves
Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino spent some time on the disabled list last week, but he was back on the mound this week and back in his familiar ninth inning role. A.J. Minter and Dan Winkler split closer duties while Vizcaino healed, and both should still be in the mix for at least another week while Vizcaino is brought back slowly. Still, it's Vizcaino's job once he's completely healthy, although that could change at the end of the month as the Braves are rumored to be in the market for some bullpen help.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays looked like they'd finally found a stopper in Ryan Tepera, but then he ended up on the disabled list this week with inflammation in his throwing elbow. The Jays have John Axford, Tyler Clippard, and Seung Hwan Oh in the bullpen, all of whom have closing experience. It will likely be a full blown three-headed monster sort of committee, but despite the scary "elbow inflammation" diagnosis, Tepera isn't expected to actually miss an extended amount of time. It'll be Tepera's job once he gets back unless the Jays shuffle things around at the deadline.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
Joe Jimenez, Detroit Tigers- With Shane Greene on the disabled list, Joe Jimenez will get a chance to show what he can do in the closer role. If Greene is traded at the deadline as predicted, Jimenez should be handed the job for the rest of the season and for seasons to come. If he isn't on the waiver wire in your league, try trading for Jimenez as soon as Greene comes off the DL but before he gets sent away at the deadline.
Blue Jays Relievers, Toronto Blue Jays- While Ryan Tepera is out, one of Tyler Clippard, John Axford, or Seung Hwan Oh might rise to the top of the committee. The more likely scenario is that the three will share duties, but if one happens to show that he is the man for the job, he'd be worth picking up in most formats.
Drops
No immediate drops this week, although anyone who picked up A.J. Minter or Dan Winkler last week in standard leagues should keep an eye on the Braves bullpen usage and be ready to cut bait soon.
Best of the Week
Wade Davis, Colorado Rockies - 4 IP, 6 K, 4 SV, 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Rockies closer Wade Davis had the only four-save week this week, striking out six batters in four innings while allowing a run on three hits and a walk. The run he allowed was on a solo home run, which as a Rockies pitcher, is almost totally excusable.
Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners - 3 IP, 4 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP
Mariners closer Edwin Diaz had a perfect week, pitching three 1-2-3 innings while striking out four batters and collecting three saves in the process. He's staking his claim to be the best closer in baseball.
Corey Knebel, Milwaukee Brewers - 4 IP, 7 K, 3 SV, 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
Brewers closer Corey Knebel had some of his owners worried when he got off to a slow start in his return from the disabled list, but a good week this week showed many why patience is a virtue. He picked up three saves and struck out seven batters in four innings while giving up three hits, one of which was a solo home run.
