What about (Jon) Rauch being dealt? (Joel) Hanrahan's (WAS) numbers aren't great, but he's the leader for saves at this point.I'd be inclined to agree. And while Hanrahan's numbers aren't great, they show that he could succeed in the role. He's whiffing over a batter an inning, keeping the ball in the park with less than a HR/9, and his hit rate is a pretty low 7.13 per nine. The walks are the problem, and while his rate isn't what you want to see out of a closer, he isn't walking the park, either.
The larger issue in Washington is that if Hanrahan isn't the closer, who is? Luis Ayala and Jesus Colome have been candidates in the past, but both are having terrible years. Based on the numbers, Saul Rivera would strike me as the next best candidate, but his relatively low whiff rates isn't the kind of thing managers think of when they think closer. Hanrahan will probably be the guy, but the Nats poor offense and lack of bullpen depth make him a lower-end option.
What about other bullpens that may not be impacted be trades but could see a different guy in the job? I'll start with the N.L. tonight; I was going to do this all in one post, but I got halfway through this post and realized there are more situations potentially in flux than I thought.
Mets: The opening game of the Mets three game set against the Phillies earlier this week illustrates the problems they'd have if Billy Wagner's recurring shoulder problem forced him to the DL, and why they've been mentioned in conjunction with Huston Street and Damaso Marte (who was traded to the Yankees as I started writing this). Aaron Heilman would probably get the nod, even though Mets fans have next to no confidence in him. He actually had a great June (14 IP, 0.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 14 K), and his WHIP in July is actually a little better; his ERA is mucked up by two bad outings. Heilman is worth grabbing in deeper N.L. only leagues if he's out there; his overall numbers are bad mostly because of April/May. Joe Smith is the other guy I could see closing if Wagner missed time, but it's just as likely Jerry Manuel goes with a committee. It's even more likely the Mets pull off a deal and overpay for someone like George Sherrill.
Cubs: Carlos Marmol is temporarily closing with Kerry Wood on the DL with his blister issues. Marmol's struggled of late, but he still throws gas, strikes out a ton of guys, and is definitely the favorite for saves in the next week or so while Wood's out. Bobby Howry would be the back-up if Marmol hit another rough patch. Keep Marmol in mind in shallower leagues. Blisters can linger with pitchers - just ask Josh Beckett - so Marmol might be asked to shoulder a larger load even when Wood returns.
Pirates: Now that Marte's seemingly gone, I can spend a little more time discussing the Pirates pen. Based on the way he's pitching, John Grabow is probably the favorite for saves right now. Tyler Yates hasn't been that good, and Denny Bautista's doing what's he's done with the 237 organizations he's passed through thus far: shown flashes of awesome sprinkled with periods of badness. I'd assume Grabow gets most of the opportunities, but this could also be a situation where the hot hand is played.
Diamondbacks: Most media outlets are reporting that Brandon Lyon's still the closer and newly-acquired Rauch the set-up man. Maybe, but I'd have to imagine that it would be tempting to make the switch now. If I had to predict, I'd say that Rauch is closing within 10-14 days, if not sooner.
Rockies: If Brian Fuentes doesn't get traded, this is obviously a non-issue. But if he does get traded, I think the big question would be whether or not the Rockies go back to Manny Corpas or if they give Taylor Buchholz a shot at closing. I suspect Corpas gets his old job back. One of the reasons the Rockies are entertaining moving Fuentes even if they decide to go for it is that Corpas has quietly bounced back, getting scored on only once in his last 14 appearances and not allowing a walk in his last 17. Buchholz is one of those pitchers who might be more valuable to the Rox in his current role than he would be pigeonholed in the 9th inning.
Dodgers: I suspect Takashi Saito is done for the year. If that's the case, then Jonathan Broxton is the guy in L.A. if they don't make a trade. I've now read multiple articles about how there is dissention in the Dodgers front office about what they want to do before the deadline, so who knows how aggressive they'll be in pursuing Street or Sherrill? Hong-Chih Kuo has been absolutely lights out this year (he deserved a spot on the N.L. All-Star team, but that's not apropos to this blog) and could also pick up an odd save here or there.
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