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Milwaukee Brewers
Closer Changes In Milwaukee, St. Louis
Two closer situations came to a head this weekend - the Cardinals and Brewers. Both Jason Isringhausen and Eric Gagne actually requested to be replaced, at least temporarily. In fierce leagues you probably already missed out as backups were picked up a week ago or earlier.
The Cardinals' situation is clearer. Ryan Franklin picked up the save Saturday night with a scoreless inning; he's the one to snag. He was also the choice on May 6th when Izzy had gone two consecutive days. With just eight strikeouts in 19 innings, Franklin is not your typical stopper. This year, he's not even getting groundballs. Kyle McClellan could get in the mix if Franklin fails. Despite poor control, Ron Villone could get a few save opps if the ninth inning is lefty-heavy.
Coming into the season, David Riske was "second in line" in Milwaukee. He had a rough April but has turned it around in recent weeks. He's my top pick for saves. Salomon Torres probably comes next; he closed as recently as last year and has a decent strikeout rate. Guillermo Mota is not much of a factor for me; despite a strong K rate 11 walks in 16 innings is not going to work. Brian Shouse and Mitch Stetter, the requisite lefty options, are both pitching well. Stetter has superior numbers, though.
Milwaukee Closer Situation
Eric Gagne has already blown five saves (granted, he's also tied for the MLB lead with 13 chances). You have to wonder if the Brewers will contemplate a switch for the next save opportunity.
Looking at contracts, David Riske should be next in line. But he's been just as bad as Gagne, posting a 5.51 ERA while allowing tons of baserunners. Two veterans remain with acceptable ERAs - Salomon Torres at 2.95 and Guillermo Mota at 2.40.
Torres seems much more likely to become the fill-in closer. He holds a big WHIP advantage, 1.36 to Mota's 1.53 (not that 1.36 is good). But Mota's had terrible control this year and Torres has recent closing experience. Go snag Torres now.
Keep An Eye On Riske
FOX's Ken Rosenthal has some Opening Day musings in today's column. He compares the blowups of closers Kerry Wood and Eric Gagne at Wrigley yesterday, noting that it's the Brewers who should be concerned.
I watched the game, and I agree. Gagne looked very hittable. His goggles kept fogging up, but I'm not buying that excuse. He looked pretty lousy - tentative and throwing very straight fastballs. When was the last time he looked decent? July of last year?
Given his $10MM salary, Gagne will have a mighty long leash with the Brewers. But he's also fragile, so they could easily cook up some reason to toss him on the DL if they don't want to embarrass him or themselves. In that case David Riske would probably become the closer. Riske makes $4MM this year but has a bunch of incentives for games finished. He's the logical choice, and if you have bench room and fierce closer competition in your league a pre-emptive pickup might be wise.
Weeks' Stock Dropping
Rickie Weeks' hand is hurting, and he's had a terrible spring. This is a breakout pick that's gotten a bit too trendy. He's going in the tenth round, but I've seen people reach for him much earlier.
Los Genius snagged him in the sixth round in the RotoAuthority League (not to question Los Genius' genius). But picked that early, Weeks really needs to deliver. I'd rather have Aaron Harang, Robinson Cano, Matt Kemp, or Javier Vazquez, who all went later than Weeks in our league. I have Weeks hitting .261-16-49-90-22 in 445 ABs. That's an AB level that Weeks has yet to approach in the bigs for various reasons. He is a pretty risky pick right now.
Here's what's going to happen. You grab my boy Kelly Johnson in the 14th instead of Weeks (unless that jerk Santa's Magic Janitor takes him in the tenth). You get a five category leadoff hitter in KJ. Weeks has a craptastic month or two in '08, and people start dropping him in droves. Then you think about picking him up and letting him hang on your bench until he starts hitting. Weeks might have that tantalizing 30/30 ability, but he can't hit for average or stay healthy.
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