Gregg Closing in Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays - Kevin Gregg

Gregg was officially named the Blue Jays' closer Wednesday by manager Cito Gaston; "We're just going to reverse the roles a little bit until Jason Frasor can get back to where we think he should be."

Gregg has a 0.23 WHIP in 4+ IP with 6 K and is 3 for 3 in save chances to open the season.

He has recorded 52 saves in the last two seasons, but has never been impressive and he has lost his job each time.  He might be worth a ride, but he is likely to lose his job at some point and either Jason Frasor or Scott Downs will take over.

Sin City Scout

The Closer Report: April 12, 2010 5 Saves, 1 Blown Save

Jon Rauch (5) -  Had a 1-2-3 inning against the Red Sox who lacked any byte the entire day for the opening of Target Field.

Neftali Feliz (1) -  Looked impressive topping 100 MPH nailing his first save of the season for the Rangers.  He did record one strikeout.

Francisco Cordero (3) - A very quick 15-pitch inning for Cordero.  SO far he is looking very sharp.

Bobby Jenks (2) -  Walked two and struck out 1 while recording his second save of the season.

Ryan Madson (2) - A perfect inning and a strikeout for the young Phillies closer.  So far so good for Madson and is non-believers.

BLOWN SAVE:
Jason Frasor (BS2) - Blew his second save in this early season.  He gave up a solo home run to Mark Teahan in the Blue Jay loss.  So far things are not looking good for Frasor.  The only thing working for him is Cito Gaston has no one else.

APPEARANCES:
Rafael Soriano - Struck out two and walked one against the Orioles in a non-save situation.

Chris Perez - Didn't record an out after facing two batters in the ninth inning of a tie game.  Neither runner scored.

Leo Nunez - One inning and one strikeout.

Andrew Bailey - Another clean inning for Bailey, but still no saves.  He did knock down a strikeout.

Carlos Marmol - Pitched a solid inning in a non-save situation.  He did record a strikeout, but also a walk.

Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes!

The Closer Report: April 8th, 2010 7 Saves, 1 Blown Save

There was another heavy day of closers.  Most of the appearances were uneventful, but there were a few surprises.

SAVES:
Jason Frasor (2) - Frasor locked down his second save in as many days.  Again he looked in mod-season form and has made that first terrible appearance a thing of the past.  He struck out two and walked one on 18 pitches.

Matt Capps (1) - He got hit hard, but his sinker was sharp.  Recorded his first save of the season, giving up one hit and intentionally walking Ryan Howard.  At least he is smart, but that's not closer mentality.

Carlos Marmol (1) - Marmol got his first save and looked very good.  He struck out two while giving up a hit and a walk.  He did work 1.1 innings and your arm tends to stiffen up after waiting an inning, so the hit and walk don't bother me as much.

Leo Nunez - (1) - After a brutal outing, Nunez came out and recorded a perfect save.  He even struck out Gary Matthew Jr on a nasty breaking ball.  It wasn't without some drama.  Fernando Tatis hita deep fly ball on Nunez's first pitch that went to the wall.

Mike Gonzalez (1) - Recorded his first save, but loaded the bases on two walks and a hit before he got the final out.  This will likely be what to expect from Gonzalez all year.  Keep an eye on Jim Johnson.  If things get bad, Johnson will replace Gonzo.

Chris Perez (2) - Recorded his second save in as many days.  He looked very good and his closer poise.  He needed 14 pitches to dispose of the White Sox.  He did not record a strikeout.


BLOWN SAVES:
Frank Francisco (BS 1) - Francisco looked terrible tonight.  In his second appearance of the season he gave up three runs on four hits including a solo home run to

APPEARANCES: 
Francisco Cordero (1-0) - Cordero made his second appearance of the season and looked sharp.  He entered a tie game and struck out two in a perfect inning of work.  He ended up with a win.

Jonathan Broxton - We finally got to see Broxton in 2010.  He gave up a walk and recorded a strikeout in a non-save situation.

Jose Valverde - Pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout.

Andrew Bailey - Made his third appearance in of the season.  .2 innings with a walk and a hit.  He is not looking in form yet, but is at least pitching.

Bobby Jenks - Let's face facts.  Jenks was a bit wild today and got some help from the umpire.  Overall, a perfect inning on 16 pitches and two strikeouts.


Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes!

The Closer Report: April 5, 2010 - 4 Saves, 1 Win, 12 Appearances

By Todd Farino, http://www.thecloserreport.com/

Baseball is here and the closers are coming out to play.  Here is the report from April 5, 2010. 

Note: since there are days off early in the season we are seeing lots of closers just getting work in, but not coming in for a save opprotunity.

SAVES:

Franklin Morales (1)- Pitching for the injured Huston Street, Morales looked good, but still got roughed up my the Brewers. He opened up the ninth a bit nervous and hit Rickie Weeks. He then gave up a double to Carlos Gomez, but settled done after that getting the next three batters out on hard line drives. Morales looked good, but he was hit hard. Let's hope he can improve on that and rack up the strikeouts.

Brian Wilson (1) - Wilson entered the game with one out in the ninth after Brandon Medders gave up a couple of runs.  Wilson looked very sharp getting out both batters he faced, striking out Manzella.  In all, he needed seven pitches to end the game.

David Aardsma (1) - Aardsma got a save thanks to the Kevin Kouzmanoff.  Aardsma shaked off a shakey spring to mow down three batters, striking out two.  His command owas a little off, but his fastball was shapr and looked much better than it did just a week ago.

Brian Fuentes (1) - Fuentes started off strong with a 1-2-3 perfect inning save.  He struck out one on 10 pitches.  He was setup nicely by Fernando Rodney and her looked in mid-season form already.

BLOWN SAVES:

Jason Frasor (1, 0-1) - Frasor blew his first save of the season and looked awful against a tough Texas lineup. Frasor was hit hard, giving up 2 doubles and a game winning long single to Saltalamacchia. The line isn't pretty, .1 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1 IBB, 1K. Frasor's pitches looked week. His velocity wasn't there and his breaking ball was flat. He should be fine and get better with time.

CLOSER WINS

Frank Francisco (1-0) - Francisco pitched a near perfect ninth and ended up with the win for Texas. On 17 pitches he struck out two and gave up one hit.

APPEARANCES

Ryan Franklin - Here is the Ryan Franklin I know.  Granted it's his first appearance of the season and the score was 11-4 when he came in, he still didn't pitch well.  His pitches were flat and very hittable.  He got lucky bad swings form Gnomes and Cabrera for outs, but gave up three hits to
Dickerson, Votto, and Phillips.  The end result was 2 runs and no strikeouts in a wasted appearance for the Cardinals closer.

Andrew Bailey - Bailey looked healthy, but he wasn't his sharpest.  He got screwed on an error by Kevin Kouzmanoff and them gave up a 2-1 base hit to Casey Kotchman that scored two unearned runs.  Regardless of the outcome, Bailey owners can let out a sigh of relief that their closer is alright.  Brad Ziegler took the loss.

Francisco Rodriguez - Pitched a perfect and quiet ninth inning for the Mets.  He showed excellent command, only needing 14 pitches to take out the Marlins.

Octavio Dotel - Faced three batters, striking out one.  He only needed 10 pitches to end the game and looked outstanding.

Billy Wagner - Wagner made his first appearance as a Brave and looked like the Wagner of old.  He struck out two on 11 pitches.  He faced the minimum three batters.

Jose Valverde - Valverde came into the ninth inning with a 4-run lead and he was pumped up as only Valverde can be.  He wasn't his sharpest as he needed 24 pitches to close out the game.  He did have to work around a walk and a error, but in the end a strong inning.  He recorded one strikeout.

SIDE NOTES:

Matt Thornton - Thornton looked great for the White Sox pitching a perfect ninth.  He struck out two and needed 10 pitches, throwing all strikes.  He's my odds on favorite to get the job if Jenks fails to hold onto it.

Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report  or download the podcast on ITunes!

Spring Training Updates: Closers

Jon Rauch - Twins
He has won the closing job in Minnesota. He has some closing experience and pitched well as a setup pitcher for the Twins in 2009. he should settle in and be a solid closer.

Jason Frasor - Blue Jays
He has beat out Kevin Gregg for the closing job in Toronto.  He has been involved in trade rumors, so both Gregg and Scott Downs should still be in the race if something happens.

Heath Bell - Padres
No news here except there is a good chance that Bell will be traded at some point and that makes setup pitcher, Mike Adams, a player of fantasy interest.

Ryan Madson - Phillies
Brad Lidge is injured and Madson will get first crack at the closing job.  He wasn't very good in this role in 2009, so proceed with cation.  Danys Baez will get a shot if Madson fails.

Chris Perez - Indians
Kerry Wood is on the DL again. If Perez pitches well he will keep the job.

Huston Street - Rockies
He will start the season on the DL and miss at least a month.  Franklin Morales will get save chances until Street returns. Manuel Corpas could be in the mix if Morales fails.

It's Official: Jason Frasor is closing for the Blue Jays

He's been on the top of my list for the closer in Toronto and Cito Gaston made it official as Frasor not only outpitched both Kevin Gregg and Scott Downs this spring, but he held the job he had at the end of last season.  If you look at Frasor's complete spring stats it doesn't really tell the whole story.  He has a 6.75 ERA, but if you remove 1/3 of an inning his ERA over the other five innings pitched at a 0.00 ERA.  His two strikeouts were a bit dissappointing, but expected.

The Blue Jays won't provide Frasor with an enormous amount of saves, especially in the A.L. East.  He will give you around 25 saves and 8-9 K/9 rate.  Expect a regression from his ERA and WHIP numbers last year, but not much.  Frasor has come into his own and the Frasor we saw last year is here to stay.

You can easily draft him in rounds 16-21.  Take him anywhere in that group and you have yourself a solid #3 closer.

DL Saves: Jason Frasor

The Toronto Blue Jays have put their closer Scott Downs on the DL. This opens the door for Jason Frasor to vulture some saves. For the season, Frasor's ERA is 2.09 and he has a 0.98 WHIP. Good numbers. Frasor has filled in as closer before and did well. No reason to think different this time around. This could be a nice pickup for your team if you need some saves as Toronto is not going to rush Downs back. Frasor is readily available in most leagues, but won't be for long. Regardless of your league type, if you need saves, Frasor should be a solid (albeit temporary) addition. -Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)

Scott Goes Down, Frasor Takes Over

Toronto Blue Jays' closer, Scott Downs, will be placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained ankle.

Jason Frasor will take over as the closer. Frasor is 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA and 1 save.

The Jays have not been winning much lately so Frasor is not a must have, but it isn't out of the question that Frasor keeps the job.

B.J. Ryan seems to be out of the equation, but if Fasor fails, keep an eye on him as well.

Sin City Scout

Ryan Heads To DL

Toronto Blue Jay closer B. J. Ryan was put on the DL with soreness between his shoulder and back. This comes a day after he blew his second save chance of the season.

Ryan is 1-0 with an 11.12 ERA and two saves in six games. He had a lousy Spring and his job has been in limbo from day one. He could just need some time off, but this is a bad sign for Ryan owners.

Hopefully you already have Scott Downs. If not, the time is now to grab him. Jason Frasor might get a save chance here and there as well if you missed your chance on Downs.

Sin City Scout