July 28, 2017

David Marcillo looks at Week 17 closer performances around MLB, including bullpen changes. He identifies fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for saves

The deadline is coming! The deadline is coming! While trades can still be made in August, the bigger deals will be made before Monday's non-waiver trade deadline.

We already had some big moves covered in last week's Closers and Saves Report, but we had some minor deals go through this week that affected a few bullpens around the league.

It certainly seems like this year's deadline will be dominated by pitching. Let's jump in and take a look at what has already happened:

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Bullpen News for Week 17

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are tearing their team apart as they embrace a full rebuild this season. Last week's report covered their trade that sent David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to the Yankees. This week, Chicago moved a couple more relievers, sending lefty Dan Jennings to Tampa Bay and righty Anthony Swarzak to Milwaukee. So, the White Sox bullpen is out four key relievers in the span of less than two weeks. Tyler Clippard, acquired in the deal with the Yankees, is likely gone by Monday as well.

For now, Clippard will get the save chances in Chicago, if there even are any available before the deadline. Once Clippard is gone, Jake Petricka seems like the favorite for the ninth inning. Petricka just came off the disabled list, so he'll be worked up to the ninth, but it seems likely that's where he ends up. He'll only be an option for owners desperate for saves.

San Diego Padres/Kansas City Royals

The Padres started their sale this week too, sending a trio of pitchers- Brandon Maurer, Ryan Buchter, and Trevor Cahill- to the Kansas City Royals. Cahill is a starter and Buchter a reliever that pitches in the earlier innings or matches up with key lefties, so Maurer is the interesting piece here. Maurer struggled this season according to his "baseball card stats" like ERA, but his peripherals were always strong. He's a good relief pitcher, but he won't close in Kansas City, where the Royals will stick with Kelvin Herrera. Maurer should retain good value in holds leagues, but the little value he was clinging onto in standard leagues is gone unless Herrera gets hurt.

On the Padres side of things, lefty Brad Hand moves into the ninth inning. He's been excellent this season and is certain to bring the Padres a nice haul of prospects before Monday's deadline. With Hand almost sure to get traded, it's smart to look at who might be next in line in sunny San Diego. Rookie Phil Maton is probably the Padres closer of the future, so the team may want to throw him in there now to see how he can handle things. Kirby Yates, meanwhile, has been excellent lately, going on 12 consecutive scoreless outings. Carter Capps has not allowed an earned run in his last 13 appearances at Triple-A, and he may be ready to come up and contribute at the big league level. It's unclear what manager Andy Green plans to do with his ninth innings, but a decision will need to come soon, with Brad Hand surely traveling with an extra suitcase these days.

Odds and Ends

The Miami Marlins placed Kyle Barraclough on the disabled list with a right shoulder impingement. That doesn't sound good, and with closer A.J. Ramos drawing interest from several teams, the Marlins may be left with Junichi Tazawa closing their games after the deadline.

Alex Claudio seems to have taken over the ninth inning in Texas, with Keone Kela working the eighth inning ahead of him a few times.

The Nationals may still add to their bullpen, but for now it looks like Sean Doolittle will lead the committee. Ryan Madson may still jump in for certain matchups, but manager Dusty Baker seems happy with what Doolittle has done so far.

The Phillies traded Pat Neshek to the Rockies, and he'll jump right into the eighth inning. He'll gain a bit of value in holds leagues, but he's just Greg Holland's handcuff in standard leagues.

Oakland A's closer Santiago Casilla hasn't been great, blowing four saves in 16 games. Meanwhile, Blake Treinen, acquired from the Nationals in the Madson/Doolittle deal, has four holds and has only allowed a run in one of his appearances in an A's uniform. Yesterday, the A's said they would make a change, and Treinen was brought in for a save opportunity. He blew the save, providing the A's bullpen with even more question marks.

Roster Moves of the Week

Adds

Phil Maton, Kirby Yates, San Diego Padres- As covered above, the Padres are definitely going to need a new closer by Monday. It will almost certainly be either Phil Maton or Kirby Yates, as Carter Capps still hasn't appeared in a major league game this season. Yates has been stronger of late, but Maton is six years younger and seems like the closer of the future in San Diego. Keep an eye on how they are used over the next few games, and pick up the one that seems ready to take the ninth inning.

Alex Claudio, Texas Rangers- Claudio seems to have claimed the ninth inning all for himself in Texas. He's not a high-upside guy, but anyone earning consistent save opportunities is worth a roster spot in most formats.

Drops

Brandon Maurer, Kansas City Royals- After being traded from San Diego to Kansas City, Maurer won't be seeing any save chances (aside from days off for Kelvin Herrera), making him an easy drop in standard leagues. He should retain nice value in holds leagues, so he can be kept in those formats.

Best of the Week

Roberto Osuna, Toronto Blue Jays- 3 IP, 6 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP

Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna had an excellent week, collecting three saves and six strikeouts in his three innings of work. He's an excellent closer and it seems like everyone knows: he's owned in 95% of fantasy leagues.

Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals- 4 IP, 4 K, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP

The Royals upgraded their bullpen this week, picking up Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter from the Padres. Kelvin Herrera showed that the Royals are just fine in the ninth inning though, saving two games and striking out four in four innings of work.

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