Rick Graham
@IAmRickGraham
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Senior Fantasy Analyst and Reliever Manager for @pitcherlist | Co-Host of @InThePenPod | NL @ToutWars | @FSWA , @SABR and @IBWAA member
Massachusetts, USA
Joined January 2017
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We are 1/3 of the way through the season as tomorrow is June 1st. Heres how I rank relievers in SV+HLD’s leagues for the remaining 2/3 of the season.
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Finishing up this years reliever previews and starting thinking about how each teams bullpen ranks. Theres a clear cut top 5, followed by question marks.
1. Padres
—
2. Yankees
—
3. Twins
4. Rays
5. Astros
—
6. Mets
7. Dodgers
8. Braves
—
9. Indians
10. Hader
11. Reds
12. Angels
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Robert Stephenson since being traded to the Rays in early June (25.2 IP)…
27.9% SwStr rate (1st in MLB by 6.5%!)
41.5% CSW (1st in MLB by 2%)
33.3% K-BB rate (3rd in MLB)
2.13 SIERA (3rd in MLB)
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So this is where Paul Sewald ranks amongst all qualified relievers over the past two months…
xFIP—1st (1.79)
SIERA—1st (1.37)
K-BB%—2nd (42.1%)
pCRA—2nd (2.41)
and with 7 saves over that span (which is 15th most), how is he rostered in just 46% of leagues on Yahoo right now?
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8 relievers are averaging 99 MPH or more on their fastball this season:
Jhoan Duran
Andres Munoz
Emmanuel Clase
Ryan Helsley
Brusdar Graterol
Felix Bautista
Edwin Diaz
Pete Fairbanks
📢 New episode of In the Pen!📢
In this episode,
@callen_elslager
returns from his hiatus and is joined by
@IAmRickGraham
and
@jakecrumpler
to dive into the latest news and notes from bullpens around the league.
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Red Sox SP ranks
38: Nick Pivetta
44: Brayan Bello
55: Kutter Crawford
60: Lucas Giolito
86: Tanner Houck
93: Garrett Whitlock
It would obviously be nice to have that top 20, Ace type at the top…but maybe this situation is not as bad as a lot of people are making it out to be?
My Top 400 Starting Pitcher Rankings ARE NOW EASIER TO READ!
I was able to separate them all into chunks of 20/25/50 SP. Navigate between them at the top/bottom of the post.
Thank you all for your patience!
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Tyler Duffey has allowed 3 HR and 6 ER over 3.2 IP this spring. His average fastball velocity in 2019? 93.9 MPH. In 2020? 92.6 MPH...this spring? 89.9 MPH. Starting to get concerned here.
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For those of you wondering if a teams record can also be used to predict save (and/or hold) chances…
The Dodgers have 104 wins this season and have 57 save opportunities
The Athletics have 55 wins this season and have 57 save opportunities
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Quick update on closer roles in question...
ANA—Parker will get first shot
STL—Leone’s job to lose
CWS—Soria/Jones split
ARI—we should find out later today
TEX—no idea still
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Logan Gilbert has been really really good since his first two starts…
42 IP, 2.57 ERA .86 WHIP, 46 K, 8 BB
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UP
S Cishek (1.1 IP, 3/0 K/BB, 0 H)
D Castillo (0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, SV)
S Romo (0 H, 0 BB, 1 K, SV)
DOWN
P Strop (.1 IP, H, R, wild pitch, BS, L)
J Hicks (.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BS, L)
T Rosenthal (yet to record an out in ‘19 still, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 R)
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Who should replace Knebel: Josh Hader...Who will replace Knebel: probably Jacob Barnes.
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Some news: I tested positive for Covid and unfortunately I don’t think I’ll get around to my articles this week :/
Haven’t felt this bad in a long time, but I hope to get over it this weekend and get back to covering relievers next week.
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2019's RP xwOBA leaderboard (200 PA min)
1. Pagan: .221
2. Yates: .224
3. Hendriks: .229
4. Hader: .232
5. Lugo: .234
6. K Giles: .246
7. Stephenson: .250
8. P Baez: .252
9. Gallegos: .253
10. R Pressly: .254
11. B Workman: .255
12. Bummer: .256
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Matt Wisler since the calendar hit May:
35.2 IP, 2.27 ERA, .95 WHIP, 47/6 K/BB
He threw his slider 31 times out of 32 pitches today. 91% usage rate all year.
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One of the most creative baseball minds (and an even better human). Perfect hire by Major League Baseball.
Very proud to announce I’ve accepted a new position at Major League Baseball as the Director of Product and Content Strategy!
I am so excited by this opportunity. To work with a team of others dedicated to constantly improving the best sport in the world is a dream come true.
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Alexis Díaz last 54 IP: 4.83 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 6.5% K-BB, 25.5% CSW, 5.54 xFIP
Alexis Díaz last 33 IP: 5.73 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 1.9% K-BB, 25% CSW, 6.37 xFIP
Díaz this season (14.2 IP): 6.75 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 5.7% K-BB, 9.3% SwStr, 5.62 xFIP
-No matter the sample, this is a concern-
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This is…weird. From April 1st up until his outing last night, Karinchak had a 2.73 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 34.4% K rate over 26.1 IP. He also had the 2nd best Stuff+ in that bullpen (115) and a decent 3.63 SIERA. Feel theres more to this move than just his performance on the mound.
The Guardians are sending James Karinchak to Triple-A Columbus and calling up reliever Tim Herrin.
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UP
Yates (NL leading 6 SV, 11/2 K/BB)
Buttrey (4th hold, yet to allow a run, 9/0 K/BB)
Neshek (sketchy outing but still picked up SV)
DOWN
Britton (BS, 2 H, 1 BB 2 ER in .2 IP)
J Miller (another ER yesterday, ERA up over 5 now)
Moronta (2nd L and BS yesterday, ERA over 5 now)
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New closers to speculate on:
WAS: Finnegan
PIT: Bednar/Stratton
MIN: Duffey/Colomé
ARZ: Clippard/Ramirez
MIA: Bender/Floro/Bass
TEX: Patton/Sborz/Barlow
COL: Bard the only closer expected to be moved who stayed put
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35 different pitchers have recorded a save so far this season.
Edwin Diaz, Aroldis Chapman, Josh Hader and Ryan Pressly have a combined 0 saves.
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@CTowersCBS
The last two months of last season plus this spring don’t do Payamps any favors. His stuff also lags well behind the other two. Megill is a mountain who throws 99 and had a 54% Whiff rate on his curveball. Uribe throws 100 MPH sinkers with a slider that had a 58% Whiff rate.
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As I sit on the tarmac waiting to get back to Boston, I want to thank
@BaseballHQ
for putting together such a fun weekend. It was awesome to meet so many incredible baseball minds and great human beings. This was my first year at
#FPAZ
but won’t be my last.
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6 whiffs on 7 swings against Fernando Cruz’s splitter. Dude is disgusting
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👍
Antone (2 IP, 3 K)
Pressly (IP, K, SV)
Robles (IP, H, 2 K, SV)
HM: Kittredge, Colomé, E Marshall
👎
McGee (.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, HR)
Stanek (.1 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, HR)
Petit (IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB)
HM: Familia, Diekman, Kimbrel
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@gjewett9
@deadpullhitter
@WGarofalo2
@BaseballRadar
@rotoquotes
@JT_TheGinger
@RotoGut
@drhoa3
@zackroto
@HonRonBaseball
@_CRICH23_
@MPRichards1981
@pmamminofantasy
@UTStreamer
@TorresTakes
@RotoSurgeon
@AwesomeVictorAA
@peytonskinner12
@FantasyTriage
@natemarcum
@DougDennis41
@Roto_Nino
@DavidMarcillo77
@mdrc0508
@theselzman
Thanks Greg, truly appreciate the shoutout! Everyone mentioned here is awesome and I’d also like to add
@EightyGrade
and
@chase_rate
as two accounts y’all should follow.
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UP
McGee (IP, 2 K, SV)
D Castillo (IP, H, K, 2nd SV)
Melancon (IP, H, K, 2nd SV)
DOWN
Bass (IP, 4 H, 4 ER, BS, L 🐟)
Diekman (.2 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 ER)
R Iglesias (.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, HR)
Hendriks (1.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 ER, HR, SV 😕)
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Anyone know why Abner Uribe is pitching the 4th inning of this game down 3 runs? Like is this some kind of punishment?
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Yermin Mercedes before TLR shamed him for swinging 3-0: (37 G) .368/.417/.571/.988
Yermin Mercedes after TLR shamed him for swinging 3-0: (31 G) .150/.220/.196/.417
The
#WhiteSox
demote struggling Yermin Mercedes to Triple-A Charlotte after his red-hot April.
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@NathanMorse19
@TFTwins
Yates
Pagan, Pomeranz
Munoz, Castillo, Strahm, Stammen
Pierce Johnson
I think that may be the most upside I’ve ever seen in a bullpen. Will it translate to on field success? We’ll see, but that 1-8 is absurdly talented.
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The White Sox signed Grossman to a minor league deal 47 days ago, he proceeded to post a .597 OPS and 81 wRC+ over 25 games and they were able to get a legit RP prospect back in return? Can’t wait to see what Pham gets them.
The Sox have traded Robbie Grossman to the Rangers. They get minor league pitcher Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa in return. Zach Remillard up from Triple-A, taking Grossman’s place on the active and 40-man rosters.
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Megill’s second save of the season, and third straight ninth inning appearance…
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Ooof Alvarado today (.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 ER, just 1 Whiff) 😬
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Rankings season is back! This is just the beginning of a big week to come from Pitcher List
Rick Graham (
@IAmRickGraham
) ranks MLB's top relievers for saves for the upcoming 2024 season.
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UP
D Castillo (3rd SV, 1 H, 1 K)
L Jackson (bailed out Minter for 1st SV)
B Parker (5th SV, perfect inning, 2 K)
Colome (5th SV, 1 BB, 2K)
DOWN
Minter (got 1 out, allowed 2 H before being pulled)
Treinen (1.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, HR, 4 ER, L)
W Smith (non-save sit. IP, 3 H, BB, 3 ER)
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As someone around the same age, I feel this
Kenley: "I don’t know man, it’s frustrating, what can I do? You go to bed, you wake up in the morning, and you have a bad back. You try to ramp it up, and it’s not allowing you to, so, we’ll see how it goes."
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RHP Trevor Megill reinstated from the 7-day concussion list.
1B Jake Bauers placed on the bereavement list.
INF Andruw Monasterio recalled from Triple-A Nashville.
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Romano 📈
#BlueJays
have had Ryan Borucki and Rafael Dolis pitch on backfields for the past two weeks due to some physical ailments. Borucki, who threw 1.1 IP Sunday, fought through a hamstring issue. Dolis was on list for Sunday but is working through back spasms
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My niece struck out 130 batters over 86 IP with an ERA of .88 in her first high school season…no spider tack needed 💪🥎
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Top 10 xFIP leaders since June 1st…
Iglesias (1.98)
Clase (2.21)
Kimbrel (2.26)
Kittredge (2.36)
Pressly (2.50)
Mayza (2.52)
Hader (2.53)
Hendriks (2.56)
Sewald (2.63)
Bummer (2.82)
This is a Tim Mayza appreciation tweet
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20 inches of induced vertical break (IVB) on his fastball!? 👀
I think I may prefer Imanaga over Montgomery or Giolito as one of the two SP’s the Sox add. Still need to find an “ace” somehow though.
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Finally finished up with my “Way Too Early” Reliever Ranks for 2024.
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The SF Giants are currently on pace for 91 save opportunities this season.
As far as I can tell, that would be a new MLB record, currently held by the 2008 LA Angels who had 89 save opps
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Would be fun to see Chafin lock down the closer role in Arizona
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While looking up numbers for Andrés Muñoz for todays Hold Up, I stumbled across a very under the radar reliever right now who could be the steal of the trade deadline perhaps? So lets talk about Joe Jimenez. 🧵
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Do pitchers stop mixing pitches up 7 runs? They just go out and throw fastballs only? Has no team ever come back from a 7 run lead before? If a guy’s on a rookie contract, all of these stats matter, why would he not take advantage of a 3-0 pitch? That’d be a bad business decision
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Since the start of 2021…
Verdugo: .277 BA, 191 RBI’s
Torres: .264 BA, 195 RBI’s
Verdugo being a left handed OF (biggest need for the Yankees?) helps as well.
Per sources, the Red Sox showed interest in acquiring Gleyber Torres last season. Seems like fit is still there.
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Wheres his 1% to the Braves Foundation?
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2018 RP SwStr% leaders (min 20 IP)
1. Hector Neris
2. Josh Hader
3. Edwin Diaz
4. Blake Treinen
5. Ryan Pressly
6. Jose Leclerc
7. Craig Kimbrel
8. Sean Doolittle
9. Kirby Yates
10. Tanner Scott
Don't sleep on Hector Neris...
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With both Alvarado and Bradley blowing saves today and Neris actually converting a save, has the Phillies closer situation really come full circle in just one day?
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@AlexFast8
Also a preview for “Why we need to seriously consider making the SV+HLD format standard”
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These were all so good. I’ll miss this template but look forward to seeing what Justin cooks up for next year
This was the second year of me using this template for the Hold Up over
@PitcherList
supporting
@IAmRickGraham
. It's one of my favorites, but time to retire it.
Here it was in 2021. Adieu, my friend.
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Tigers relievers since April 14…
Jason Foley: 6.1 IP, 11.8% K, 14.7% BB (-2.9% K-BB), 5.57 xFIP, 5.46 SIERA, 6.5% SwStr, 25.2% CSW, 96 Stuff+
Alex Lange: 8 IP, 31% K, 6.9% BB (24.1% K-BB), 3.23 xFIP, 2.50 SIERA, 14% SwStr, 32.2% CSW, 123 Stuff+
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Subject to change depending on what we hear about Devin Williams this week
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What happened to the days where the trade deadline was basically just moves for 4th OF’s, 5th starters and left handed relief specialists?
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Going against legends like Eno and DVR is daunting but it’s an honor to even be considered so this is pretty awesome!
Please listen to these great fantasy baseball podcasts, and give them a great review. Then pick a winner!
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Blake Parker, Nate Jones, and Seranthony Dominguez are all trending up in the closer market.
@RotoBaller
depth chart is updated to show where the three stand heading into the new week.
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Catching up with
@jeffwzimmerman
’s great mining the news from yesterday, here are some reliever related items of note:
OAK: Trivino will be the closer
TEX: Barlow won’t close to start
STL: closer by committee likely?
CHC: Robertson, Rodríguez, Givens, Martin in closer convo
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The amount of player movement we’re about to see over the next week 👀
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Saw this on the timeline and thought it was the Phillies José Alvarado…
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A Sale/Kluber/Paxton rotation would be pretty awesome…if we were heading into 2018 next week
From
@chadjennings22
late last night:
“According to multiple people familiar with the team’s thinking, the Red Sox have shown heavy interest in Corey Kluber…”
Kluber posted a 4.34 ERA/3.57 FIP with a 7.6 K/9 and 1.2 BB/9 with the Rays in 2022. 164 IP.
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We've updated the
@RotoBaller
closer chart with Arodys Vizcanio hitting the DL with shoulder inflammation.
For now, I like Minter > Winkler given their recent performances, but both should be owned as they will likely split save chances.
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Make sure this man is not available in any of your leagues...
Emmanuel Clase. 100mph & 101mph Cutters.
This is just stupid. ☠️💀⚰️
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@ASJ_42
@lawdog97
@PitcherList
Duffey was one of the best relievers in baseball over the 2nd half. Romo and May are quality set up men. Even Clippard and Littell had great numbers last year and make for great middle relievers. They may not have a Yates or Chapman type but they are really, really deep.
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@PitcherList
@MrsDSalinger
@MylesNelsonPL
Hi guys, long time listener, first time caller…just wanted to get your thoughts on Blake Snell. I’ll take my answer off the air.
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@FAmmiranteTFJ
He’s the size of Felix Bautista, sits at 99 MPH and finished last year with a 43.1% K rate over his last 15 innings. Not a ton of experience for already being 30 years old though
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Grifol on his closer: "I wouldn’t have one anyways unless you bring back Dennis Eckersley or somebody like that. We’re attacking leverage. Somebody takes it on, somebody takes it on."
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Over the past 60 days, Alvarado is dead last amongst 181 qualified relievers in BB rate (24.7%) and 177/181 in K-BB rate. Not exactly what you want from a closer…
Jose Alvarado will get first crack at save opportunities for now for
#Phillies
, according to Joe Girardi.
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Over the past month, Estrada has a 55.8% K-BB rate, 0.06 SIERA and 145 Stuff+ over 13 innings…
He’s been in Mason Miller, Andrés Muñoz and Trevor Megill territory over this stretch.
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@unclefester888
Yea I think you can stick with him for now. Seems like the waiver wire is deep enough you can ride the hot hand and then adjust down the road.
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Creating chaos hours before the season starts
The Padres-Twins trade that includes Taylor Rogers is happening, sources tell ESPN.
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Starter again?
BREAKING: Right-hander Jordan Hicks and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a four-year, $44 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Hicks, 27, is expected to work as a starter after spending the majority of his career in the bullpen.
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It’s 2022 and David Robertson records the first save of the year
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Phillies bullpen still needs a lot of work, but Alvarado is a nice flyer
The Phillies have acquired LHP José Alvarado from the Rays in a three-way trade with the Dodgers. The Phillies sent LHP Garrett Cleavinger to the Dodgers, who sent INF Dillon Paulson and a player to be named later to the Rays.
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@DetroitBeastie
@Dynasty_Sportz
@RotoClegg
@Roto_Nino
@Rotoprofessor
@PitcherList
Appreciate the kind words Chris!
As far as answering
@Dynasty_Sportz
question goes, I’m a huge Barlow fan. That said, Marshall could get you more holds being on a better team. Estevez is your best bet for saves, but Coors. So for ratios/K’s=Barlow, holds=Marshall, saves=Estevez
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This will be a thread of all 3 lists that came out today. Any questions, comments, concerns...feel free to leave here.
Also, shoutout to Michael Packard for these fantastic graphics
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The Opening Day bullpen chart is here. Some new additions for this season as well. Take a look and be sure to follow the series all season long!
Rick Graham (
@iAmRickGraham
) presents his opening day bullpen depth charts for the 2024 season.
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Jorge Lopez in the 7th, Griffin Jax in the 8th…looks like Duran will get the 9th
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@gjewett9
and
@DougDennis41
had this as a possibility at FPAZ a month ago 👀
Still surprised they would give up on him as a starter so quickly, but if this keeps him healthy, he can be a dominant closer
Mason Miller could have bullpen role in 2024, "possibly in a closer role", per A's GM David Forst.
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So I guess Pagan is “the” closer in Tampa now...but what did Alvarado do to lose the job? Is it the walk rate?
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Staumont to IL, does Barlow finally enter the saves mix or will it be Zimmer?
The Royals have made some roster moves:
— Hunter Dozier has been reinstated from the IL
— Carlos Hernandez has been recalled from Triple-A Omaha
— Ryan O’Hearn has been optioned
— Josh Staumont (left knee strain) has been placed on the 10-day IL
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White Sox bullpen
Hendriks (best closer in 2020)
Bummer (Zack Britton 2.0)
Marshall (best curveball in 2020)
Heuer (98 mph, 67% Whiff rate on slider)
Crochet (100+ from the left side)
Kopech (100+ from the right side)
Foster (2.20 ERA, .87 WHIP in 2020)
ReyLo/Rodon (mop up duty)
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Josh Smith above Rafael Devers? Jose Ramirez at 10? Austin Riley outside of the top 10? Ke’Bryan Hayes at 5 lol?
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Hitters are not chasing as much since June 20th…
BB% pre-June 20 = 2.6%
BB% post-June 20 = 15.3%
O-Swing% pre-June 20 = 40.5%
O-Swing% post-June 20 = 29.8%
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