The Closer Report: April 20, 2010

SAVES:

Kevin Gregg (5) - Gregg mowed down the Royals on 13 pitches surrendering a hit and recording a strikeout.  Gregg has a firm hold on the job and Frasor is not a threat.  In fact, during spring training I reported that the Blue Jays are best served with Frasor as the setup man and Downs as the lefty specialist.  That is the way it is setup now.

Francisco Cordero (5) - Cordero continues his hot start, saving his fifth game in a row and did it with two strikeouts. I have to admit Cordero is unstoppable right now.

David Aardsma (6) - Looked very sharp against the Orioles.  The only smudge on the save was a bloop single by Matt Weiters.  14 pitches and a strikeout.

Matt Lindstrom (3) - Got his thrid save, but got roughed up in the process.  He gave up two hits and a wild pitch on way to his third save of the season.  Needed 24 pitches to close the game out, so expect Lyon to close out a possible save tomorrow.

Bobby Jenks (3) - Had a relatively good outing.  19 pitches, a hit, and a strikeout.

Chad Qualls (2) - Qualls came through with a great save tonight.  Gave up no hits, one ground ball and two strikeouts.  Its rare, but he does have some good outings.

Fernanado Rodney (5) - Rodney is insane right now.  Here are some numbers to digest.  He has five saves in the past seven days.  In those five innings pitched, no hits, one walk and four strikeouts. His ERA in that period, ZERO.  I don't think Fuentes is taking the job back anytime soon.

BLOWN SAVES

Ryan Madson (BS 1)- Get off the Madson Express.  He got hammered.  He gave up three runs on two home runs.  His season WHIP is now at 1.71 and his ERA is just lost at 7.71.  I'm beginning to think it's the curse of the Phillies closer.  In Madson's defense, it was his first blown save of the season.

APPEARANCES:

Jonathan Papelbon (2-0) - Got the win pitching the ninth inning of a 6-6 game.  He threw allot of pitches (20) and walked a batter in the effort.  He also recorded a strikeout.

Francisco Rodriguez - Still no saves, but got a wasted inning of work tonight.  He needed a whooping 26 pitches to end the game.  He walked two and struck out a pair as well.

Billy Wagner (1-0) - pitched a perfect 10th inning for his first win of the season.  He also added a strikeout.

Heath Bell (4) - After blowing a save yesterday, Bell came through with his fourth save of the season tonight.  He did make it intersting by giving up a hit and walk, but after 19 pitches the game was over.

Franklin Morales - Pitched with a 6-run lead and struck out two and walked one.

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Status of Closer Roles: Phillies, Astros, Diamondbacks

Some closer roles still not set
Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com 1/11/2010.

It's still quite awhile from the opening of spring training and there are still a few closer jobs that managers are undecided on.
Let's start with Brad Lidge. Lidge had off-season surgery on his ailing strike zone (I mean elbow). Reports are that he may not be ready by the start of the season. If that happens, this dramatically increases the value of setup man Ryan Madison. The Phillies bullpen is a recovery room of arms as spring training looms. In the off-season, Lidge and Romero had elbow surgery, while newly acquired Denny Baez is recovering from shoulder surgery.

This is great news for Madson Maniacs. If he has a solid spring and Lidge doesn't, Madson should be the opening day closer for the Phillies. I think Charlie Manuel would be much happier with Ryan Madson as closer, then a recovering and nervous Brad Lidge.

Madson makes a great sleeper and should be considered a fifteenth round pick with the possibility of Lidge not being ready. Track how both Madson and Lidge are doing this spring before you draft. If all goes well, Madson could be this years Ryan Franklin. It is a bit of a long shot, but an acceptable risk in rounds 15-17.

Jose Valverde is still a free agent. The concerns with signing Valverde are valid, but not likely. His age and length of contract he's asking for compensation picks lost and his health issues as well are all concerns teams have with signing the big time closer. With all that said, Valverde is a reliable pitcher, who if stays healthy will get you 42-47 saves. It's worth the risk to any team searching for a closer, and the two teams making offers are the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks.  My money is on Detroit. They let Fernando Rodney go, so Valverde would be a welcome site in the Tigers bullpen. He's never pitched in the American League only interleague play, so he should have the advantage for a few months. It's a great fit and in the end, if the Tigers want to remain competitive they have to sign Valverde and secure a veteran closer.

Chad Qualls is not the closer for the Diamondbacks. Well, Maybe. The Diamondback are in the market for a closer and are reported to be making offers to Jose Valverde. If they don't sign Valverde, then there will likely be a competition for the job between a few pitchers. Assuming Qualls has fully recovered from his dislocated knee; he should have the advantage for the job. Either way, Qualls is a risk and should be avoided in drafts until the situation improves.

Matt Lindstrom should be the opening day closer for the Astros if he is able to control his pitches in spring training. Lindstrom has everything to be dominant closers, the mentality, a hard fastball, and experience. He just needs to throw strikes. As insurance for Lindstrom, the Astros signed Brandon Lyon. Lyon is planned for the setup role with Lindstrom following in the ninth. It will be a competition, but it's Lindstrom's job to lose.

Lidge placed on DL, Madson to Close

The Philadelphia Phillies placed closer Brad Lidge on the disabled list today with a sprained right knee. Lidge has blown save chances in each of his last two outings, and has struggled throughout the season. Lidge is currently 0-3 with 13 Saves, 6 Blown Saves, a 7.27 ERA, and a 1.81 WHIP. The Phillies will monitor Lidge's progress over the next week in hopes that his knee improves. The injury is not considered serious, so Lidge should be able to return once he's eligible to come off the DL. Ryan Madson, is next in line for saves in Philadelphia. Madson is having a terrific season (2.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 31 K's in 28 innings pitched) and is widely available ( 80% of Yahoo Leagues and more than 90% of ESPN leagues). Madson's peripheral numbers, plus short term save potential, make him a must add while Lidge is on the shelf.

Madson Time

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge is day-to-day with knee inflammation. This knee bothers me and I would invest in Ryan Madson. Lidge had off-season knee surgery and this is the same knee that is inflamed. All Lidge owners should have the insurance policy with Madson. Madson has a over a K an inning and ERA is right around three. He should steal some saves even if Lidge is healthy and if Lidge does go on the DL your getting a middle tier closer. So Lidge owners don't worry just pick up Ryan Madson.