The Closer Report: April 15, 2010 3 Saves, 1 Blown Save

SAVES:
Mariano Rivera (4) - Chalk up another easy save for Rivera.  He entered the 6-2 game with two outs in the ninth inning and two runners on.  He got his batter and recorded his fourth save of the season on four pitches.

Matt Capps (4) - Capps is on fire.  He recorded his fourth save of the season for the Nationals.  It wasn't easy.  He was needed for 1.2 innings and gave up a run on three hits, including a home run to Shane Victorino.  While he notched a strikeout and the save, Capps has been scary at best.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Trevor Hoffman (3) - Hoffman was roughed up again, but notched the save.  He gave up a run on two hits and his ERA has skyrocketed to 12.60 to start the season. 

BLOWN SAVES:

Chad Qualls (BS 1) - Qualls just doesn't have the stuff to close.  He pitched well, but gave up three hits (one should have been an error on S. Drew) and gave up two runs. He threw 26 pitches and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks.  It's easy to say that Qualls will not close tomorrow if needed.


APPEARANCES:
Billy Wagner - Looked outstanding again, striking out two on 13 pitches (9 strikes).

Matt Lindstrom - Came into the game with a 5-1 lead and disposed of the Cardinals on 12 pitches and recorded a strikeout.

Ryan Madson - Entered the game in a losing situation just to get work and got touched up for two runs on two hits and a walk.

Francisco Rodriguez - Still no saves, but notched two more strikeouts while getting some work.

Jonathan Broxton (1-0) - Entered the game in the 10th inning and had an easy 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout.

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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.

The Diamondbacks looking to bring back Jose Valverde

According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are eyeing Valverde and they would like to sign him to a 1 or 2 year deal.
Full Article:
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/70150

This is a great fit for Valverde and the Diamondbacks.  Chad Qualls has some health issues and clearly is not a closer.  If the Diamondbacks sign Valverde, expect the value of Valverde to risae and that of the entire Diamondback pitching staff.  Qualls would be the primary setup man if they sign Valverde

Chad Qualls Pitches Well In Non-Save Situation

So far in 2009, Chad Qualls has been alright. He is a closer we are not high on but he has nailed down four saves, while blowing one. He has struck out 12 batters in 8 innings but has a average ERA at 3.00. His WHIP is also high at 1.33, but not much to be concerned about.

After Sunday all of that should improve as he struck 3 batters in 2 innings of work, but did not record the win or save in the extra inning affair.

We recommend holding onto Qualls. He won't get you much in trade value, and seems to be doing alright so far as the closer for the Diamondbacks.