Quick — name the guy with the most saves this season without a blown save. Surprise! It’s Fernando Rodney, everybody’s favorite dual-first-name closer, who’s 17-for-17. Rodney’s been lit up a few times this year but has yet to officially shank any save opportunities — which just goes to show you how ridiculous these statistics are. But if saves are what you’re looking for, desperados, this is the column for you. Here are a few names tossed around in trade rumors leading up to the impending July 31 non-waiver deadline.

George Sherrill has pitched well as the O’s closer, but he’s among a list of relievers who could get moved before the July 31 trade deadline, altering their fantasy value. Photo Credit: Keith Allison

Note: The “Risks” focus on current closers who could lose their jobs with new teams, while “Rewards” include relievers who might even get a crack at some saves in a struggling bullpen.

Risks
George Sherrill
Sherrill might get moved before the trading deadline, but won’t likely be closing for the team that acquires him. He’s been lights-out this month and is putting up solid peripherals (3.22 K/BB, 1.01 WHIP, .205 BAA) compared to his career numbers. It’s a great time to move him for equal value in a more stable bullpen situation. Target guys like Brian Fuentes, David Aardsma or Brian Wilson.

Chad Qualls
You won’t get much for Qualls in a straight-up swap, largely because his numbers have been less-than-impressive. He hasn’t had a save since June 11, and only has three strikeouts in his last six innings. Look for an owner who needs saves badly and see if you can get a guy with an OPS on the plus-side of .800.

Matt Capps
Nothing (and no one) is sacred to Pirates GM Neal Huntington, who’s dealt Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, Nate McLouth, Sean Burnett, Nyjer Morgan and Roberto Clemente (wait a minute, scratch that last one) in the past year. The club has never been satisfied with Capps, who could be the next casualty of Huntington’s wrath. There hasn’t been anything specific regarding Capps leaving Pittsburgh, but I wouldn’t discount the possibility.

Huston Street
The Rockies are still battling away for a playoff spot, but if things regress in the next few weeks, there’s a possibility that Street — who has pitched brilliantly since taking over closing duties in Colorado — ends up in the Bronx. According to the Newark Star-Ledger, a major league source who requested anonymity said Yanks GM Brian Cashman approached the Rockies about a deal as early as the middle of May, and the Rockies had already begun combing through the Bombers’ minor league ranks in search of possible trade targets. For now, hold off on moving Street, but if you get a viable offer, consider the risk.

Rewards
Takashi Saito
According to the Boston Herald, officials with other clubs said the Red Sox are shopping Saito, who has an incentive-laden contract (and a partially torn tendon in his elbow). He has still put up solid numbers in 2009 (3.25 ERA, 8.46 K/9, 3.00 K/BB, 1,27 WHIP, .243 BAA). While it’s likely the injured elbow has some teams wary, there appears to be some interest in Texas. The Rangers might want some insurance for the oft-injured Frank Francisco, and could end up with Saito and Francisco sharing closing duties should the teams strike a deal.

Bobby Parnell
He’s been horrendous the last couple games, but he’s got a big arm and has the stuff to make batters swing and miss. He’s also been victimized by a .405 BABIP. The Mets should get Billy Wagner back sometime in August, and desperately need some offensive help with the loss of Carlos Beltran and injuries to Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado. He’s a total long shot, but if you’ve got an extra roster slot and would benefit from stashing Parnell, he might pay dividends when bullpens invariably break down during the home stretch and weaker teams start experimenting.

Stats as of June 30, 2009

"On the Fence"

Brad Lidge, PHI
14-for-20 (70%), 27.1 IP, 28 Ks, 7.57 ERA, 1.94 WHIP
Next in line: Ryan Madson
Third in line: J.C. Romero/Chad Durbin

Chad Qualls, ARI
13-for-16 (81%), 30.2 IP, 28 Ks, 4.11 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
Next in line: Tony Peña
Third in line: Juan Gutierrez/Tom Gordon (DL)

Fernando Rodney, DET
17-for-17 (100%), 33 IP, 27 Ks, 4.36 ERA, 1.39 WHIP
Next in line: Brandon Lyon/ Joel Zumaya
Third in line: Ryan Perry

José Valverde, HOU
6-for-10 (60%), 16.1 IP, 20 Ks, 3.36 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
Next in line: LaTroy Hawkins
Third in line: Chris Sampson

J.P. Howell, TB
6-for-11 (55%), 38.2 IP, 46 Ks, 1.63 ERA, 1.09 WHIP
Next in line: Dan Wheeler
Third in line: Randy Choate

Kerry Wood, CLE
9-for-13 (69%), 26.1 IP, 30 Ks, 5.47 ERA, 1.56 WHIP
Next in line: Chris Pérez/Matt Herges
Third in line: Jensen Lewis

Brad Lidge hasn’t had an easy road back from his DL stint, but he’s in the saddle as closer and recorded his first save since June 1 on Sunday. He’s not quite in the clear, but if somebody’s shopping him on the cheap, I’m listening. Jose Valverde blew saves in two of his last three outings. On June 24, a Lance Berkman error started off the inning, leading to a couple singles and an unearned run. On June 28, a Marcus Thames walk and Brandon Inge dinger won it for the Tigers. J.P. Howell is pitching well and earned a promotion, but he’s always a couple blown saves away from Rays manager Joe Maddon experimenting with another closer. Chris Perez went to Cleveland in the Mark DeRosa deal, but won’t threaten for the Indians’ closer’s job, according to published reports. Kerry Wood has just one save since May 28, earning him a spot on this week’s fence.

“On the Shelf”

Matt Lindstrom, FLA – Sprained right elbow – 15-Day DL
Lindstrom said he could begin a throwing program Friday, just 10 days after he went on the DL. While the initial prognosis spoke of four weeks without throwing, Lindstrom said this week he’s ahead of schedule and that the swelling has gone down in his injured elbow. We’ll know more this weekend, but an early August return seems likely.
Scott Downs, TOR – Sprained left big toe
Downs recently threw a bullpen session and was eligible to come off the DL this week. I don’t believe he’ll pitch against the Yankees this weekend, but Downs seems more optimistic: “It could be three days, a week, two weeks,” he said. “It depends on when I can actually run on it. That’s going to be the test. We’ll throw another side on Friday and go from there.”

Troy Percival, TB – Right shoulder tendonitis – Return uncertain

“Closer By Committee"

Rafael Soriano, ATL
6-for-7 (86%), 36.2 IP, 49 Ks, 1.23 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
Mike González, ATL
9-for-13 (69%), 37 IP, 50 Ks, 2.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Next in line: Peter Moylan

Andrew Bailey, OAK
8-for-12 (67%), 46.1 IP, 54 Ks, 2.14 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
Next in line: Brad Ziegler
Third in line: Michael Wuertz

Mike MacDougal, WAS
3-for-3 (100%), 13.2 IP, 7 Ks, 1.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP (NL Stats only)
Next in line: Joe Beimel
Third in line: Julian Tavarez/Sean Burnett

Jason Frasor, TOR
2-for-4 (50%), 3 HLDs, 26.2 IP, 20 Ks, 2.03 ERA, 0.98 WHIP
Next in line: B.J. Ryan
Third in line: Jesse Carlson/Brandon League

Leo Nunez, FLA
3-for-6 (50%), 13 HLDs, 34 IP, 31 Ks, 3.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
Dan Meyer, FLA
1-for-1 (100%), 11 HLDs, 31.2 IP, 30 Ks, 1.99 ERA, 0.85 WHIP
Next in line: Brian Sanches/Chris Leroux
Third in line: Tim Wood/Kiki Calero (DL)

Mike Gonzalez got tagged for back-to-back homers by John Mayberry and Pedro Feliz on Tuesday night, although he did his job on lefty Ryan Howard to start the inning and struck out Jayson Werth. Bobby Cox probably shouldn’t have left him out there to pitch to Mayberry, a right-hander who pinch-hit for lefty Greg Dobbs, and Feliz. Kiki Calero hopes to rejoin the Marlins during the team’s series in Arizona, which starts July 9. Calero threw off the mound on Monday for the first time since going on the DL retroactive to June 18 with right shoulder inflammation. He still has bullpen sessions and a rehab assignment, but could factor in the Marlins bullpen mix, which Fredi Gonzalez described this week as determined by the situation. In Washington, recently acquired Sean Burnett could get save opportunities if Mike MacDougal struggles. And believe me; MacDougal will most definitely struggle before the month is out.

"On Board"

Mariano Rivera, NYY
19-for-20 (95%), 31.2 IP, 40 Ks, 2.84 ERA, 0.98 WHIP
Next in line: Brian Bruney
Third in line: Phil Coke

Jonathan Broxton, LAD
18-for-20 (90%), 36.2 IP, 60 Ks, 2.21 ERA, 0.79 WHIP
Next in line: Cory Wade
Third in line: Ramon Troncoso

Joe Nathan, MIN
20-for-22 (91%), 31 IP, 39 Ks, 1.45 ERA, 0.77 WHIP
Next in line: Jose Mijares
Third in line: Matt Guerrier/Jesse Crain

Jonathan Papelbon, BOS
19-for-21 (90%), 34 IP, 34 Ks, 1.85 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
Next in line: Takashi Saito
Third in line: Hideki Okajima/Daniel Bard

Francisco Rodríguez, NYM
20-for-22 (91%), 36.2 IP, 39 Ks, 1.23 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
Next in line: Bobby Parnell
Third in line: Brian Stokes/Billy Wagner (DL)

Heath Bell, SD
22-for-23 (96%), 33.2 IP, 36 Ks, 1.34 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
Next in line: Cla Meredith/Greg Burke
Third in line: Edward Mujica

Trevor Hoffman, MIL
18-for-19 (95%), 23.1 IP, 19 Ks, 1.93 ERA, 0.94 WHIP
Next in line: Carlos Villanueva
Third in line: Todd Coffey

Joakim Soria, KC
10-for-12 (83%), 18.2 IP, 23 Ks, 1.93 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
Next in line: Juan Cruz
Third in line: Kyle Farnsworth

Bobby Jenks, CWS
18-for-20 (90%), 28 IP, 28 Ks, 3.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP
Next in line: Matt Thornton
Third in line: Octavio Dotel

Francisco Cordero, CIN
18-for-19 (95%), 32 IP, 28 Ks, 1.97 ERA, 1.16 WHIP
Next in line: David Weathers
Third in line: Nick Masset

Frank Francisco, TEX
12-for-13 (92%), 22.2 IP, 25 Ks, 1.19 ERA, 0.88 WHIP
Next in line: C.J. Wilson/Eddie Guardado
Third in line: Darren O’Day

David Aardsma, SEA
16-for-17 (94%), 36.1 IP, 46 Ks, 1.49 ERA, 1.16 WHIP
Next in line: Mark Lowe
Third in line: Miguel Batista

Brian Wilson, SF
21-for-25 (84%), 36 IP, 39 Ks, 3.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Next in line: Jeremy Affeldt
Third in line: Justin Miller/Merkin Valdez

Ryan Franklin, STL
18-for-19 (95%), 29 IP, 20 Ks, 0.93 ERA, 0.83 WHIP
Next in line: Jason Motte
Third in line: Kyle McClellan

Huston Street, COL
19-for-20 (95%), 34 IP, 39 Ks, 2.91 ERA, 1.12 WHIP
Next in line: Joel Peralta
Third in line: Matt Daley/Manny Corpas (DL)

Brian Fuentes, LAA
22-for-25 (88%), 27.1 IP, 30 Ks, 3.62 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
Next in line: Jason Bulger
Third in line: Justin Speier

George Sherrill, BAL
17-for-19 (89%), 31.2 IP, 29 Ks, 1.99 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
Next in line: Jim Johnson
Third in line: Danys Báez/Chris Ray

Kevin Gregg, CHC
11-for-14 (79%), 32.1 IP, 32 Ks, 4.18 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
Next in line: Carlos Mármol
Third in line: Angel Guzman (DL)

Matt Capps, PIT
18-for-20 (90%), 26.2 IP, 19 Ks, 4.72 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
Next in line: John Grabow
Third in line: Jesse Chavez/Joel Hanrahan

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Antonio can be reached at Antonio@rotoexperts.com. Let him know if he’s way off base, or just needs to switch to the other side of the pitching rubber.

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