Just a little over a week into the season and we have seen a few bullpen shakeups thus far. Sam Dyson is officially out as the closer in Texas for the time being, and Tony Barnette was the one warming up in the top of the 9th last night while the game was still within 3 runs. He has been removed from this list for the week, while we wait and see how things play out this weekend once Matt Bush returns to the team. Jeanmar Gomez lost his job to Joaquin Benoit, and the move should further solidify Hector Neris's as a top holds option. Neither Sean Doolittle or Santiago Casilla are on this list as well, as they figure to share almost a 50/50 split of the save opportunities.
TIER 1: Good Vibrations
1. Andrew Miller (Cleveland Indians)
2. Dellin Betances (New York Yankees)
Andrew Miller continues to be his dominant self and has yet to allow a run. Dellin Betances had a hiccup on Saturday but bounced back Sunday picking up a win after firing a clean 8th inning.
Does Joe Kelly really not make this list? You think he is behind Barnes and Hembree for holds?
Yea I am 99% certain he is behind those 2. Probably Robbie Ross now too.
Seems like a giant gap between Bush and Jeffress for essentially the same guy. Bush has better current skills, but Jeffress is a better bet to fill the closer role right now. Both will get similar holds. Neither are a proven commodity at this point in their respective careers.
At this point, I like Jeffress 3rd best in that bullpen, behind Bush and Barnette. It has to mean something that he pitched the 7th inning last night, with Leclerc/Claudio splitting the 8th and Barnette coming within 1 out of getting his first save opportunity.
Thoughts on Bradley in Arizona?
I toyed with the idea of putting him in the back end of the list, so he is certainly on the radar. It will be interesting to see how he is used going forward as he very well could be the best bullpen option they have.
How close was Boone Logan to making the list?
Indians win a lot of games and he usually comes in and faces a left handed hitter or two and gets out.
Anything more on Nate Jones? I remember he was shaky at for a stretch or 2 last year as well, but at least he was getting Ks…
Holds league. Someone dropped Dayton. Thinking of dropping Felipe Rivero for him. Dayton’s ratios are just so good. But Rivero has been really good so far, and Dayton isn’t getting hold opps yet. Ugh.
Also have Baez and Strop.