Cleveland Sports Forum

Closer Jeremy Jeffress (2-2, 2.13, 23 saves) and set-up man Tyler Thornburg (4-4, 2.21) could be in the conversation as well.


LOL, couldn't help but notice Jeffress (who, by the way got his 24th save today) has 5 more saves than Cody. And that for a team with far fewer wins.

Odd, but something tells me that guy's price will be elevated

Thornburg is a righty but he's the better pitcher on the 3 if you ask me. 12+ K per 9 innings, Whip of 1. Just a dominating late inning guy. Numbers are better than Jeffries except saves, so wouldn't pay the higher price there.

Hector Rondon doesn't mind giving up the closer's job to Aroldis Chapman

Rondon has 18 saves with a 1.95 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 37 innings this season

Since being a Rule 5 Draft pick back in 2012, Cubs right-hander Hector Rondon has blossomed into one of the best relievers in all of baseball. He's saved 18 games with a 1.95 ERA (208 ERA+) and 48 strikeouts in 37 innings this season, and since 2014, Rondon has a 2.01 ERA (193 ERA+) in 170 1/3 innings.

And yet, as good as Rondon has been, the Cubs went out and acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees earlier this week. It's easy to understand why they did it too. There's not a bullpen in baseball that wouldn't improve by adding Chapman, and now he and Rondon form one of the best lefty-righty reliever tandems in the game.

Chapman is expected to take over as Chicago's closer, a role Rondon has filled since 2014. Many players would be upset about a demotion like that, especially since it's undeserved. It's not like Rondon has pitched poorly. When asked about the demotion, Rondon said he had no problem with it because Chapman improves the team. From ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers:

"I think it's good for our team," Rondon said before Monday's Cubs/White Sox game. "He's one of the best relievers we have right now. I'm good with that. I know I did a really good job in my role. "You have a chance to get that guy, better take it."

It's worth noting this move could end up costing Rondon some money. He's making $4.2 million as a first-time arbitration-eligible player this year, and saves still pay big in arbitration. His raises for 2017 and 2018 might not be quite as big now that he's a setup man and Chapman is closing.

I think Rondon will be fine though. He has 77 saves in his career and that's enough to ensure a big raise after the season, even if he spends the next few months as a setup man. Rondon figures to return to the closer's role next season too -- Chapman will be a free agent after the season -- which will further boost his saves total.
[ Not a too shabby back end of the bullpen. Cubs keeping up with the Joneses, Mets that is. ]

"We need relief pitching. Also Brantley is still a possibility."

My guess is that was not a reference to Justin Brantley, relief pitcher, who the Indians released after his Akron debut included a 7.40 ERA.

Civ- right I was meaning Michael.

but his shoulder may preclude him from useful work in the bullpen.

LOL
I just hope we do not give up Frazier, our only hope for 500 foot homers at Progressive.

Andrew Miller - R - Yankees

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Nationals, Cardinals, Indians, Rangers and Giants are in on Andrew Miller.
He cautions, however, that the chances of Miller being traded "remain slim."

The Yankees remain in the Wild Card hunt and Miller is under control through 2018 relatively cheaply, so it's going to take a whole lot to get them to change their minds about dealing the shutdown reliever.

JIM IN NEB's daughter Delani is 14 today:

Read two interesting tie bits on Twitter yesterday, this first one from a trusted source. Expect Yandy to be called up soon, unless the Tribe picks up a bat in the OF or 3B before deadline. (Tito just loves his f'n vets)

This next one I don't know the source as well, but said the Indians organization has "off field concerns" about Francisco Mejia, so don't be too shocked if he is part of a trade package this weekend.

I hope that is not true.

Jayson Stark ‏@jaysonst 1 hour ago
Scratch one more team from the pursuit of Jonathan Lucroy. Sources say the Tigers are now out of that derby.

On MLB TV- Indians looking at Beltran

Washington offers Lucas Giolito straight up for Miller.............What The Hell?!

Gonzalez has been up 2 weeks and has not been given many chances to shine. If we were trying to show him off, we probably failed. Why not send him down and replace him with Yandy and give him a shot. If he does well, Uribe needs to be talked to.

I just hope we do not give up Frazier, our only hope for 500 foot homers at Progressive

Wait a little longer for Bobby Bradley.