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Bullpen Report :: Volume 5
by Dennis Villareal
Published: May 29, 2007, 9:09 pm
 Athletics – Huston Street and Justin Duchscherer going down with injuries has drastically changed this bullpen. In comes Alan Embree and Kiko Calero. Calero was given the first chance, but blew a save on May 16th and Embree has been closing ever since. Duchscherer is doing well in his rehab appearances and should be up very soon. Let’s just hope his hip can hold out. Street has been cleared to throw again and is a week or maybe two away from returning. When Duchscherer comes back Calero will move out of the picture and Embree will become the setup man. Although Embree is 3 of 3 in his save chances , he is nothing more then a stop-gap until Street comes back. There is a slim chance that Embree will remain the closer when Duchscherer returns and until Street comes back...A very slim one, but if he can shut the door on a few more of these opportunities they might want to put Duchscherer in his normal role until Street comes back. Embree has given up 24 hits in 21 1/3 IP while walking 6 and striking out 16. he has also given up 8 runs for a 3.32 ERA.
 Royals – Octavio Dotel came back just in time because Joakim Soria was placed on the DL. Only pitching in 2 games so far he gave up 2 runs in his first appearance. He is still a viable option when he gets going. He won't see many save opportunities, but as long as he stays healthy he can pull in 15 or more saves. When Soria comes back he should move into a setup role even though he was good as the closer. He is a great option to hold onto in case Dotel doesn’t pan out. Soria was 10 for 13 this year in save chances and only seemed to break down on a few occasions before he was placed on the DL. The only thing that really makes me worry is the 20 hits and 10 walks in 22 2/3 IP. However, if Dotel goes down they don’t really have another option.
 Cubs – What a mess the Cubs have gotten themselves into. Talk of Ryan Dempster being moved to the starting rotation has quieted a little. Angel Guzman is likely to take over the closer role at some point, but I can’t see this working out in the long run. Dempster has been great as the Cubs closer only blowing 1 opportunity in 12 chances. He has given up 10 runs 15 hits and 8 walks in 22 2/3 IP while striking out 22. Guzman on the other hand walked 37 and gave up 68 hits in 56 IP last year. This year he is off to a good start only walking 9 and giving up 26 hits in 27 1/3 IP while giving up 9 runs. He has an 8.56 K/9. If he keeps throwing strikes this move might work out on his end, but he is known to give a lot of free passes.
 Marlins – Kevin Gregg has taken over the closer role with Henry Owens landing on the DL. It looks as if Gregg is the closer until he fails. Owens might take the setup role from Tank Tankersley, but it Gregg will remain the closer unless he completely falls apart . He has done well saving 5 of 5 chances while posting a 2.03 ERA. So far he has shown he has the strikeout pitch, K'ing 33 in 31 IP while giving up 22 hits and 13 walks. It is more likely that he has been picked up in your league, but if he is still available...grab him.
 Phillies – Antonio Alfonseca has been handed the closer role while Tom Gordon and Brett Myers rehab their injuries. Gordon will resume throwing today and should be closer to coming back then Myers. There would be no reason to grab Alfonseca because he will do more damage than good for you. He has allowed 27 hits and 9 walks in 21 2/3 IP while only striking out 9. On May 26th, he picked up his first save since 2002. I would make a move for either Gordon or Myers, but only if you can get them cheap. If Gordon can come back and rekindle a little of that magic then he would be a good buy.
Side notes:
 Jose Mesa has taken over the setup role while Fernando Rodney is on the DL until at least mid-June. He will get a good source for holds if you need someone.
 Eddie Guardado is on his rehab assignment, and seems to be on target to be back in June. It is unclear what role he will move into, but if Weathers has a few more outings like his last few Steady Eddie might get a shot at closing. He had 36 saves in 2005 for Seattle and over 40 in back-to-back years with The twins in 2002 and 2003.
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