Chase saves like I do? It’s really the way to go.
In most standard leagues, I’m waiting until the very end of my draft to grab relievers and once the season begins, I constantly scan Twitter for news of closer changes. Just two of the top 10 closers in 2014 were in the top 10 in saves in 2013. Things happen, closers change. It’s a volatile position.
With that in mind, there are already a handful of teams who have question marks at the back end of their bullpens to begin the season. Let’s take a closer look at some options for cheap saves.
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Houston Astros
The Astros spent $31 million this off-season on Pat Neshek and Luke Gregerson to bolster a bullpen that finished dead last in the majors last season with a bullpen ERA of 4.80. With one week left in the spring, manager A.J. Hinch has named Gregerson as his closer.
Gregerson has only recorded 19 saves in his career, but he sports a career 2.75 ERA and has been a reliable late-inning option for years. He could be a major bargain as he’s currently the 33rd relief pitcher to go off the board in drafts.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Last year didn’t exactly go smoothly for Addison Reed. He allowed a tonne of fly balls in a hitter-friendly park leading to six blown saves, 11 home runs allowed and a 4.25 ERA. Reed has been dealing with shoulder issues this spring, which forced him to slightly alter his delivery. The right-hander maintains he will be ready for opening day, but it’s far from a sure thing.
With Brad Ziegler also banged up, Evan Marshall becomes very intriguing. He recorded 54 strikeouts in 49.1 innings last season, coaxing ground balls 55 per cent of the time against right-handers and 69 per cent against lefties. He gets his fastball up in the mid-90s and also has an effective sinker. Even if Reed is ready for opening day, he could be one of the early candidates to get removed from the closer role and Marshall could capitalize.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Until Kenley Jansen (97 saves the last three seasons) returns from surgery to his left foot, manager Don Mattingly has already indicated that he’ll probably be mixing and matching at the back end of his bullpen. That leaves more than a month for Joel Peralta, Chris Hatcher, J.P Howell and, yes, even Sergio Santos.
Mattingly has plenty of options, but if I had to spend a late round pick on one of these arms, it would be Peralta. His 74 strikeouts to just 15 walks last season shows he still has the ability to miss bats, and Peralta’s home run problem could be quelled by pitching in that big ballpark. Peralta was due to be Jansen’s setup man and Mattingly may go with the next-man up approach.
New York Mets
Early signs had Bobby Parnell returning from Tommy John surgery in May, but it seems the recovery process has been accelerated and we may see him back by mid-April. That would allow somebody else in the bullpen a chance to grab some saves over at least the first two to three weeks of the season and Jenrry Mejia would be the best bet. Although he had a horrific 1.48 WHIP in 2014, Mejia did save 28 games and he’s the odds-on favourite to get the job out of spring training. He looked strong in Grapefruit League action before allowing two walks and a three-run homer to the Cardinals last Friday, but manager Terry Collins will more than likely lean on Mejia nonetheless.
Tampa Bay Rays
What’s not to love about Brad Boxberger? With a 2.37 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts last season he was one of seven relievers to break the 100 strikeout mark. With Jake McGee (elbow) slated to miss the first month of the season, Boxberger (average draft position: 256) will be finishing games for new manager Kevin Cash. He’s mostly a fastball-changeup pitcher, getting a tonne of swing and misses with the four-seamer and inducing a lot of groundballs with the change. Boxberger’s reign as the Rays’ closer could be short, but he should be an impact fantasy reliever in April.
