I Got Your Cheap Saves Right Here!!
So let's talk about closers for a moment here. I'm sure some people will disagree with me, but I have to stand by the fact that closers are one of the most precious assets you can have. You grab yourself a top notch closer, and you're looking at help in , not just the saves category, but WHIP, ERA and even strikeouts.
Take a guy like B.J. Ryan...he's on pace for 80+ innings with 43 saves, 99 K's, a 0.784 ERA and a .710 WHIP. Now if you take a look at the fact that only 50 pitchers threw 200 or more innings and the next 95 threw 100+, Ryan's 80 innings are looking pretty good for your overall numbers. How about the fact that only 94 pitchers cleared 100 K's in 2005?
Now, you could probably eliminate roughly 30 guys from that list of 100 innings or more, seeing as how very few people would even think about using someone like Kirk Reuter (107.3 IP-5.953-1.658 in 2005) or Jose Lima (168.7-6.990-1.660). That leaves roughly 110 pitchers realistically available to you. If the average league has 12 teams and the average # of pitchers you need in a lineup is 9 in a standard roto league, that's 108 pitchers being used overall.
Do you see where I'm going here? It's all about averages and proportions. To me, having a guy like Ryan on your roster is a thousand times more valuable than a Byung Hyun Kim with his 148-4.865-1.534 and 115 K's. OK, so a thousand may be an exaggeration for you sticklers out there, but you get my point. There is no doubt that he holds a much greater value.
But...
As we are now in the second half, guys like Ryan or Mariano Rivera or Jonathan Papelbon are rarely going anywhere. They are either locked on a contender's team or sitting on the roster as someone's keeper for next year. So where to go? Take a look at some of the guys below and try them out if you need help in the saves department. Some may be available, some not. But the ones that aren't can still be had pretty cheaply I'm sure. And if some of the names make you nervous, don't worry...you're only looking at what? Maybe 40 innings for the whole second half? If they do tank, you'll know it early enough to pull them before they can do even the remotest of damage to your ratios.
Locked In:
Eddie Guardado -- Old friend, former Asst. GM of the Twins and current GM of the Cincinnati Reds Wayne Krivsky rescued Everyday Eddie from the scrap heap in Seattle and brought him in to revamp a dismal bullpen. Krivsky (you might hate him from the Kearns/Lopez trade) said that he loves this guy; that he "lives for the ninth inning". You gotta love that vote of confidence. And manager Jerry Narron immediately followed suit. Their reward? 3 for 3 in save chances so far with the only blemish being a garbage 2 out solo shot to Clint Barmes today. He's going to get every opportunity the Reds have and with Krivsky's support, the hook won't come that quickly if he stumbles a bit.
Mike MacDougal -- He's back baby!!! Sure he closes for the Royals and sure he's been on the DL all season so far. But who cares? He's still there. Even if he only notches you maybe a dozen saves this half, it's still going to be a big help. And if the save opp is unavailable on a regualr basis, he'll still get the work in and will probably have a solid second half. He picked up his first save tonight, so if you want him, you better make a move fast. The longer you wait, the pricier he'll be.
Looking Over Their Shoulder:
Brian Meadows -- So Tyler Walker goes down for the season and all the usual suspects in Tampa Bay came out to audition for the closer's role once again. But it's the former Pirates/Royals/Padres/Marlins starter that came out on top and has 5 saves for the Rays since June 21st. He's looked pretty good so far and doesn't appear to have much competition just yet, but remember who he is. Ruddy Lugo just came off the DL and is a strong candidate to fill in if Meadows stumbles. Oh yeah....and there's always Shawn Camp.
Jorge Sosa -- He's listed here because, technically, he still has the job. But manager Bobby Cox is leaning towards the old "closer-by-committee" special. After blowing a 5 run lead the other day, Sosa remains on shaky ground. Kenny Ray could come back in the mix and then Macay McBride has been on a few sleeper lists as well. If you go after one, get ready to grab one of the other's at a moment's notice.
Ready to Pounce:
Arthur Rhodes -- The Phillies have come out and said that they are ready, willing and able to deal away current closer Tom Gordon. If that's the case, then either Rhodes or Rheal Cormier needs to step up and take over the role. My guess is Rhodes will get the first opportunity just based on previous experiences in Baltimore and Seattle. If he does step up then he will make for a nice little bargain for you. But if he does and you do get him, grab Cormier as an insurance policy.
Jeremy Accardo -- If you can guarantee me that the oft-injured Armando Benitez will stay healthy for the rest of the season, well then, I'll be quiet here. But this is Benitez we're talking about and usual backup Tim Worrell is on the DL and is stinking it up with a 7.52 ERA when he is healthy. Accardo filled in between Worrell's injury and Benitez' return and looked pretty good doing it. Just a name to keep in mind.
Joel Zumaya -- Another name to just keep in mind for now. I mean, c'mon...Todd Jones? Isn't he someone's grandpa? Sure he's got 24 saves, but he's also got a 5.50 ERA. With the Tigers playing as well as they are and playing as many close games, the wear and tear on Jones will start to show even more. Zumaya has an unbelievable arm, consistently can hit mid to high 90's on the gun (we've seen triple digits a few time as well), and has fantastic strikeout potential. Forget about his last outing...it was a fluke. Don't be surprised if they use him to spell Jones at times during the second half. Obviously, teammate Fernando Rodney could fall into the mix as well, but he's been going through a rough patch lately.
Take a guy like B.J. Ryan...he's on pace for 80+ innings with 43 saves, 99 K's, a 0.784 ERA and a .710 WHIP. Now if you take a look at the fact that only 50 pitchers threw 200 or more innings and the next 95 threw 100+, Ryan's 80 innings are looking pretty good for your overall numbers. How about the fact that only 94 pitchers cleared 100 K's in 2005?
Now, you could probably eliminate roughly 30 guys from that list of 100 innings or more, seeing as how very few people would even think about using someone like Kirk Reuter (107.3 IP-5.953-1.658 in 2005) or Jose Lima (168.7-6.990-1.660). That leaves roughly 110 pitchers realistically available to you. If the average league has 12 teams and the average # of pitchers you need in a lineup is 9 in a standard roto league, that's 108 pitchers being used overall.
Do you see where I'm going here? It's all about averages and proportions. To me, having a guy like Ryan on your roster is a thousand times more valuable than a Byung Hyun Kim with his 148-4.865-1.534 and 115 K's. OK, so a thousand may be an exaggeration for you sticklers out there, but you get my point. There is no doubt that he holds a much greater value.
But...
As we are now in the second half, guys like Ryan or Mariano Rivera or Jonathan Papelbon are rarely going anywhere. They are either locked on a contender's team or sitting on the roster as someone's keeper for next year. So where to go? Take a look at some of the guys below and try them out if you need help in the saves department. Some may be available, some not. But the ones that aren't can still be had pretty cheaply I'm sure. And if some of the names make you nervous, don't worry...you're only looking at what? Maybe 40 innings for the whole second half? If they do tank, you'll know it early enough to pull them before they can do even the remotest of damage to your ratios.
Locked In:
Eddie Guardado -- Old friend, former Asst. GM of the Twins and current GM of the Cincinnati Reds Wayne Krivsky rescued Everyday Eddie from the scrap heap in Seattle and brought him in to revamp a dismal bullpen. Krivsky (you might hate him from the Kearns/Lopez trade) said that he loves this guy; that he "lives for the ninth inning". You gotta love that vote of confidence. And manager Jerry Narron immediately followed suit. Their reward? 3 for 3 in save chances so far with the only blemish being a garbage 2 out solo shot to Clint Barmes today. He's going to get every opportunity the Reds have and with Krivsky's support, the hook won't come that quickly if he stumbles a bit.
Mike MacDougal -- He's back baby!!! Sure he closes for the Royals and sure he's been on the DL all season so far. But who cares? He's still there. Even if he only notches you maybe a dozen saves this half, it's still going to be a big help. And if the save opp is unavailable on a regualr basis, he'll still get the work in and will probably have a solid second half. He picked up his first save tonight, so if you want him, you better make a move fast. The longer you wait, the pricier he'll be.
Looking Over Their Shoulder:
Brian Meadows -- So Tyler Walker goes down for the season and all the usual suspects in Tampa Bay came out to audition for the closer's role once again. But it's the former Pirates/Royals/Padres/Marlins starter that came out on top and has 5 saves for the Rays since June 21st. He's looked pretty good so far and doesn't appear to have much competition just yet, but remember who he is. Ruddy Lugo just came off the DL and is a strong candidate to fill in if Meadows stumbles. Oh yeah....and there's always Shawn Camp.
Jorge Sosa -- He's listed here because, technically, he still has the job. But manager Bobby Cox is leaning towards the old "closer-by-committee" special. After blowing a 5 run lead the other day, Sosa remains on shaky ground. Kenny Ray could come back in the mix and then Macay McBride has been on a few sleeper lists as well. If you go after one, get ready to grab one of the other's at a moment's notice.
Ready to Pounce:
Arthur Rhodes -- The Phillies have come out and said that they are ready, willing and able to deal away current closer Tom Gordon. If that's the case, then either Rhodes or Rheal Cormier needs to step up and take over the role. My guess is Rhodes will get the first opportunity just based on previous experiences in Baltimore and Seattle. If he does step up then he will make for a nice little bargain for you. But if he does and you do get him, grab Cormier as an insurance policy.
Jeremy Accardo -- If you can guarantee me that the oft-injured Armando Benitez will stay healthy for the rest of the season, well then, I'll be quiet here. But this is Benitez we're talking about and usual backup Tim Worrell is on the DL and is stinking it up with a 7.52 ERA when he is healthy. Accardo filled in between Worrell's injury and Benitez' return and looked pretty good doing it. Just a name to keep in mind.
Joel Zumaya -- Another name to just keep in mind for now. I mean, c'mon...Todd Jones? Isn't he someone's grandpa? Sure he's got 24 saves, but he's also got a 5.50 ERA. With the Tigers playing as well as they are and playing as many close games, the wear and tear on Jones will start to show even more. Zumaya has an unbelievable arm, consistently can hit mid to high 90's on the gun (we've seen triple digits a few time as well), and has fantastic strikeout potential. Forget about his last outing...it was a fluke. Don't be surprised if they use him to spell Jones at times during the second half. Obviously, teammate Fernando Rodney could fall into the mix as well, but he's been going through a rough patch lately.
posted by Howard Bender at
10:03 PM
