Clay Holmes was removed from the Yankees closer role last week, with Aaron Boone saying he would get creative with the situation in the short term. That creativity led to Luke Weaver getting as save this past week and it sounds like Boone would be open to going back to Weaver again in the near future. I’d still consider Holmes likely to get his job back at some point as he really hasn’t pitched that poorly lately outside of a the four run outing in Texas and since the All-Star break, Holmes has a 2.92 xFIP, 35% CSW and 150 Stuff+ to Weavers 4.28 xFIP, 29.3% CSW and 128 Stuff+. Jake Cousins, Mark Leiter Jr. and possibly Tommy Kahnle could see a save or two in the coming weeks, but for now I’d only be interested in rostering Holmes and/or possibly Weaver in deeper leagues.
Notes
- Edwin Díaz leads all relievers since the All-Star break with a 45.6% K rate, and his 1.67 SIERA is good for third best behind only A.J. Puk and Edwin Uceta. The velocity has been improving for Díaz over the course of the year (especially over the past 4 games), and he looks completely back in All-Star form.
- Josh Hader is having his second half struggles this year, but not nearly as bad as we have seen in years past. Since the All-Star break Hader holds a a 19.4% K-BB and 4.31 xFIP but the bat missing ability is still there with 23.6% SwStr and 27.3% ZContact – OSwing rates.
- Kirby Yates continues to dominate and even has a 29.3% K-BB since the All-Star break so why is he falling down this week? Yates does have a 3.05 xFIP since the break and 3.02 xFIP on the year despite the 1.29 ERA so some late season regression could be in the cards. The good news here is the Rangers schedule is real light the rest of the way.
- It’s unclear if Mason Miller will be shut down this season, but it was nice to see him bounce back this past week with 4 K’s over 2 IP. The swing and miss is still there, and the schedule is real nice outside of a home series with the Yankees next weekend.
- Seranthony Domínguez continues to pitch well as the Orioles closer and despite allowing five earned runs in the month of August, never allowed more than one earned run an outing. Since the All-Star break, Domínguez has really improved his command with a 25% K-BB rate and the overall stuff has been better as well (141 Stuff+).
- Carlos Estévez has been good as the Phillies closer, and the move down the list has little to do with the blown save last night. Since the All-Star break Estévez holds just a 22.4% K rate, 4.52 xFIP and 3.82 SIERA so I’m not sure how long he can keep this up with the lack of swing and miss ability paired with poor hard hit rate metrics.
- Aroldis Chapman has been great since the All-Star break and now finds himself as the lead candidate for saves in what is still being called a committee. Since the break Chapman holds 31.3% K-BB and 35.3% CSW rates with just a 2.01 xFIP. He’ll be available as a free agent potential closer again this offseason.
- The Marlins lost Calvin Faucher this past week to a shoulder injury, opening the door to the closer role where I’d expect some sort of committee head by Anthony Bender. Jesús Tinoco and maybe even John McMillon should factor in as well, but it’s probably a situation best to avoid outside of deeper leagues.
EDIT: Ben Joyce was placed on the IL today with shoulder inflammation, likely ending his season. Expect some committee featuring José Quijada and Hunter Strickland to close out games.
And if you want more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series
Watch List
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Evan Phillips | LAD | may be in some sort of committee with Kopech? |
| 2. | Clay Holmes | NYY | not closing for the time being |
| 3. | Paul Sewald | AZ | Lovullo wants Sewald as the closer |
| 4. | Manuel Rodríguez | TB | could form a committee with Uceta and Cleavinger |
| 5. | Dennis Santana | PIT | RH part of the Pirates closer committee |
| 6. | Craig Kimbrel | BAL | no set closer in Baltimore anymore, but Kimbrel isn’t back yet |
| 7. | Camilo Doval | SF | back on the roster, but in a setup role for now |
| 8. | Jeff Hoffman | PHI | could still factor into some saves behind Estévez |
| 9. | Tyler Holton | DET | left handed compliment to Foley |
| 10. | Tony Santillan | CIN | how long can Díaz hang on to the role? |
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel ClaseT1 | CLE | - |
| 2 | Devin Williams | NYM | +1 |
| 3 | Edwin Díaz | LAD | +3 |
| 4 | Raisel Iglesias | ATL | - |
| 5 | Josh Hader | HOU | -3 |
| 6 | Jhoan Duran | PHI | +2 |
| 7 | Andrés Muñoz | SEA | +2 |
| 8 | Ryan WalkerT2 | SF | -1 |
| 9 | Kirby Yates | PIT | -4 |
| 10 | Ryan Helsley | BAL | - |
| 11 | Kenley Jansen | DET | - |
| 12 | Robert Suarez | ATL | - |
| 13 | Mason Miller | SD | +3 |
| 14 | Lucas ErcegT3 | KC | +3 |
| 15 | Seranthony Domínguez | SEA | +4 |
| 16 | Carlos Estévez | KC | -2 |
| 17 | Chad Green | +1 | |
| 18 | Michael KopechT4 | SD | +2 |
| 19 | Edwin Uceta | TB | +3 |
| 20 | Aroldis Chapman | BOS | +4 |
| 21 | Porter Hodge | CHC | +2 |
| 22 | Justin Martinez | ARI | -1 |
| 23 | Luke Weaver | PIT | +UR |
| 24 | Jesus Tinoco | MIA | +UR |
| 25 | Alexis DíazT5 | TEX | - |
| 26 | Kyle Finnegan | DET | - |
| 27 | Jason Foley | SF | +1 |
| 28 | Tyler Kinley | DET | +1 |
| 29 | José Quijada | SD | +UR |
| 30 | Gus Varland | WSH | - |
