2K19: Closer and Bullpen

[Mithrandir]

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelph...artner=ya4nbcs
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Seranthony Dominguez made his major league debut five weeks into the season last year and quickly became manager Gabe Kapler’s favorite bullpen weapon.

“When Seranthony is at his best, there may not be a better reliever in baseball,” Kapler said after Dominguez made his spring debut with three quick outs against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

“He has no ceiling. He can be as good as anyone in the league.”

Keeping the hard-throwing, 24-year-old right-hander healthy was a priority last season and it remains so this year. Dominguez had a 1.59 ERA in his first 29 games last season but it rose to 4.88 over the next 24. That might have been attributable to fatigue and the Phils want to guard against that this season.

“We’ve had a player plan meeting with Dominguez and one of the things we want to do is definitely stay in close contact with him,” Kapler said. “Anything that crops up for him related to fatigue, we definitely want to back off."

The best man, the best!!! Hahahaha.

[harmon]

Some gushing praise but not sure that translates to significant save opps.

[cavebird]

Anyone think that Jeffress at $7 and/or Brasier at $6 is worth keeping in a 16-team league with 6 SP and 5 RP slots? They would be locked in my lineup all year, but if they are good set-up men most of the year, that isn't a big deal. The question is whether they will get enough saves to be worth it. My only other keepable RP is Alvarado at $6, who I plan on keeping, and Minter at $11, who I am not planning on keeping.

[Judge Jude]

Knebel had a 2.44 xERA last year and 88 K in 55 IP.
Jeffress had a 2.85 xERA last year and 89 K in 77 IP.

I owned/own both, but I would watch spring training. Jeffress has a history of wildly overperforming his xERA, and he did it again last year. but even just matching it would be good. of course, Hader will get crucial IP too and they have other interesting arms.

I think the 2019 closer's job is Knebel's to lose - and I doubt he'll lose it. in a healthy 2017, he had a solid 3.03 xERA and a Bugs Bunny-like 126 K in 76 IP.

not sure what to tell you about what it all means for Jeffress in a 16-team mixed, though

[cavebird]

Knebel had a 2.44 xERA last year and 88 K in 55 IP.
Jeffress had a 2.85 xERA last year and 89 K in 77 IP.

I owned/own both, but I would watch spring training. Jeffress has a history of wildly overperforming his xERA, and he did it again last year. but even just matching it would be good. of course, Hader will get crucial IP too and they have other interesting arms.

I think the 2019 closer's job is Knebel's to lose - and I doubt he'll lose it. in a healthy 2017, he had a solid 3.03 xERA and a Bugs Bunny-like 126 K in 76 IP.

not sure what to tell you about what it all means for Jeffress in a 16-team mixed, though

That's my concern about Jeffress in several more words. I get the Hader thing, but that isn't an issue at $7. Knebel is the one that worries me.

[madducks]

I also think that Knebel keeps the closer gig in Milwaukee.

[onejayhawk]

I also think that Knebel keeps the closer gig in Milwaukee.

I hope so. What are Burnes' chances in Boston? Monkey has him listed as closer with no asterisk.

J

[cavebird]

I hope so. What are Burnes' chances in Boston? Monkey has him listed as closer with no asterisk.

J

I hope Brasier gets it---before our keeper deadline.

[madducks]

I hope so. What are Burnes' chances in Boston? Monkey has him listed as closer with no asterisk.

J

The Red Sox right now have the look of a team that will be using a committee which is very unlike a defending World Champion. I expect them to add a closer soon.

[Sour Masher]

The Red Sox right now have the look of a team that will be using a committee which is very unlike a defending World Champion. I expect them to add a closer soon.

I really don't get why they are hell bent against Kimbrel. I got it at first, but by now I'd I agine his price is down and maybe they can even nab him on a one year deal, if the pony up.

[Pauly]

I really don't get why they are hell bent against Kimbrel. I got it at first, but by now I'd I agine his price is down and maybe they can even nab him on a one year deal, if the pony up.

Kimbrel's ask seems like a lot for a closer:

His initial ask, as reported by The Athletic’s Jayson Stark and ESPN’s Buster Olney, was a 6-year deal for at least $100MM, a figure that, in this market, had little chance to be met. By Christmas, the price was hovering near Aroldis Chapman’s record-setting 5-year, $86MM deal, though it doesn’t appear to have fallen further in the weeks to come.

[onejayhawk]

The Red Sox right now have the look of a team that will be using a committee which is very unlike a defending World Champion. I expect them to add a closer soon.

The current mentality seems to be aimed toward putting your best RP in the most dangerous situations. If that is in the 7th inning, sobeit. I think Hader is the current model of success, not Diaz. If Kimbrel will sign for two years with options, they might take it. Otherwise, i think they like their chances with the bullpen they have.

J

[cavebird]

I really don't get why they are hell bent against Kimbrel. I got it at first, but by now I'd I agine his price is down and maybe they can even nab him on a one year deal, if the pony up.

Their problem is the highest luxury tax threshold. If they signed him for a one-year $20 million contract, it would cost them $35 million. At least per their GM.

[madducks]

The current mentality seems to be aimed toward putting your best RP in the most dangerous situations. If that is in the 7th inning, sobeit. I think Hader is the current model of success, not Diaz. If Kimbrel will sign for two years with options, they might take it. Otherwise, i think they like their chances with the bullpen they have.

J

Yeah, the times they are a changing. Although it is a lot easier when a team has multiple firemen like the Brewers and Yankees.

[onejayhawk]

And the Red Sox.

J