2K19: Closer and Bullpen

[cavebird]

According to Closermonkey, these are the 2nd in line. In at least two cases the former 2nd in line is no longer with the team.

Which of them are worth a closer look?

ATL Ramirez
MIA Steckenrider
NYM Swarzak
PHI Morgan
WAS Kintzler

CHC Edwards
CIN Hernandez
MIL Hader
PIT Feliz
STL Tuivailala

ARI Hirano
COL McGee
LAD Alexander
SD Stammen
SF Dyson

BAL Givens
BOS Smith
NYY Robertson
TB Alvarado
TOR Loup

CHW Minaya
CLE Otero
DET Stumpf
KC Keller
MIN Hildenberger

HOU Harris
LAA Middleton
OAK Petit
SEA Vincent
TEX Claudio

Related question, where does Amir Garrett fit in the Cincinnati bullpen? Is he just waiting for a SP injury?

J

Givens is part of the committee, and is good, so definitely worth a look; as is O'Day, the other member of the committee in Baltimore (which is all short term until Britton returns). I have no idea why Ramirez is listed for the Braves. I guess technically, he might get first crack if Vizcaino got hurt today, but it will likely be Minter if Vizcaino falters, and he's definitely worth a look so long as the arm remains attached to the body. As for Garrett, I am sure he is just filling a long reliever/swingman role until he gets a rotation spot.

[joncarlos]

At least the Cardinals' options are fine pitchers. If you grab Lyons and he doesn't get a save opp, at least you got a good MR on a good team. The Giants offer no such salve. Pretty much anyone you take a chance on, could kill you if they don't get the 9th. In my 12-team NL-only, I had Dyson for $1 and didn't have him on my keeper list. About 90 minutes before the list was due, the Melancon news came in and I begrudgingly added him. Unless, he gets the 9th, he may be an albatross. Maybe the only good play in SF is Beede, but then their rotation is so banged up, they can't spare him there.

I'm taking Watson for the Giants, because I do agree that his save chances aren't that great but he's a good enough pitcher to keep in your lineup anyway.

[onejayhawk]

You can look at these pitchers and gauge the quality and flavor of the whole pen almost without err. Except Texas and Baltimore, maybe Min. It's not surprising the NL pens have deeper quality.

[B-Fly]

I think the Closermonkey list is definitely wrong on several of these.

I would be shocked to see Washington turn to Kintzler before Madson, or Miami turn to Steckenrider before giving Barraclough a shot first. PHI would likely look at Hunter or Neshek before Morgan. And Tuivalala in STL - is that assuming Leone is already the closer and Gregerson stays hurt? Even then I think Lyons and Cecil would get opportunities before Tuivalala.

[Pauly]

I think the Closermonkey list is definitely wrong on several of these.

I would be shocked to see Washington turn to Kintzler before Madson, or Miami turn to Steckenrider before giving Barraclough a shot first. PHI would likely look at Hunter or Neshek before Morgan. And Tuivalala in STL - is that assuming Leone is already the closer and Gregerson stays hurt? Even then I think Lyons and Cecil would get opportunities before Tuivalala.

I agree with a lot of this, but 1Jay's list was "second in line" not 1st in line.

[joncarlos]

I think the Closermonkey list is definitely wrong on several of these.

I would be shocked to see Washington turn to Kintzler before Madson, or Miami turn to Steckenrider before giving Barraclough a shot first. PHI would likely look at Hunter or Neshek before Morgan. And Tuivalala in STL - is that assuming Leone is already the closer and Gregerson stays hurt? Even then I think Lyons and Cecil would get opportunities before Tuivalala.

Yeah, these are the 2nd in line AFTER the closer. So Doolittle/Madson/Kintzler.

I think David Robertson stands out like a sore thumb here. Would not be shocked at all to see him get the job if Chapman had any issues. Don't really know what makes closermonkey think he's not the primary backup.

[B-Fly]

Yeah, these are the 2nd in line AFTER the closer. So Doolittle/Madson/Kintzler.

I think David Robertson stands out like a sore thumb here. Would not be shocked at all to see him get the job if Chapman had any issues. Don't really know what makes closermonkey think he's not the primary backup.

Ah, got it. Yeah, I think Betances is better in the 8th inning and that Robertson has a better track record as a closer, and therefore should get the nod before Betances if Chapman goes down or flames out.

[onejayhawk]

Yeah, these are the 2nd in line AFTER the closer. So Doolittle/Madson/Kintzler.

I think David Robertson stands out like a sore thumb here. Would not be shocked at all to see him get the job if Chapman had any issues. Don't really know what makes closermonkey think he's not the primary backup.

Unless it's a committee, like the White Sox.

Robertson mostly illustrates why the Yankee bullpen is the best in baseball.

J

[virgonomic]

MIA Steckenrider - could be closing by July
WAS Kintzler - could close with Madson setting up if Doolittle goes down
CHC Edwards - anything is possible in that pen
MIL Hader - see above
STL Tuivailala - see above

NYY Robertson - will prob get the odd save chance to keep him happy
MIN Hildenberger - could close with Adams setting up if (when?) Rodney is ineffective

LAA Middleton - good chance to be closing by July

[fuhrdog]

Reed in Minnesota..possibly closing sooner rather than later?

[DMT]

Reed in Minnesota..possibly closing sooner rather than later?

This seems like a no-brainer but Rodney is a closer-zombie...clozombie?

[Gregg]

This seems like a no-brainer but Rodney is a closer-zombie...clozombie?

Zoser?

[Gregg]

I don't think Edwards Jr. gets a sniff at the closer role no matter what.

It seems Joe is done with in in that regard. It would not surprise me to see Wilson or Cishek get the opportunity if should arise.

It will not surprise me if the Cubs rent a reliever before the trade deadline.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!

[chancellor]

I don't think Edwards Jr. gets a sniff at the closer role no matter what.

I agree. The Cubs had a lot of options to beef up their bullpen, and going out and getting two with closing experience and them putting them in the 8th and 9th says a lot.

[onejayhawk]

Reed in Minnesota..possibly closing sooner rather than later?

This seems appropriate.