The reason I was not the least bit disappointed by the Tampa Bay Rays trading closer Alex Colome to the Seattle Mariners this past weekend was my belief the right-hander, who led the majors with 47 saves last season, was a prime candidate to lose the role in 2018. I had not invested. After all, Colome was nowhere near the relief leaders in ERA, WHIP or strikeout rate last season or this, and the main reason he was able to save 47 games in a league-leading 53 chances was due to his offensively compromised team playing so many close games. Colome was not a particularly good pitcher last season, nor is he this time around.
Still, as long as they remain a fantasy category in most every league, saves matter, and fantasy managers look for the providers. It remains possible Colome, who earned a 0.7 Wins Above Replacement in 2017 -- more than 200 pitchers were better, finds his way back to saves if overworked Mariners right-hander Edwin Diaz either struggles with performance or health, but I would have doubts about Colome nevertheless. It is indeed rare for top-end relief pitchers to repeat excellent performance annually. Colome is average. Diaz is having an excellent season, but let us be real about the saves: his team is giving him the most chances and he is thriving, but I am a bit concerned with his pace for 86 innings pitched.
The Rays roster a right-handed reliever with extensive closing experience, but since Sergio Romo has been plying recent trade as an unconventional starting pitcher, I do not see why Rays manager Kevin Cash would alter things just because Colome is elsewhere. Romo has seen mixed success in his new, controversial role, and this has to be a franchise that would not value experience -- nor should they -- for the ninth inning. They wisely moved Colome before he got really expensive. The Rays have to know Jose Alvarado, Chaz Roe and others are more than capable of "saving" games. I cannot fathom why more managers do not understand this.
My guess is that Roe and Alvarado, on the account of their lofty holds totals proving the late-inning trust Cash has for them, are going to be mixed and matched for the ninth inning, as they should. That is not the answer fantasy managers desire, but the new reality is not every real-life manager thinks alike. I like this. Lefty Jonny Venters saved Monday's 13-inning win, striking out the lone hitter he faced, so perhaps that can continue. By the way, Cash is hardly afraid to let his starters-turned-relievers like Ryan Yarbrough and Anthony Banda, go five-plus innings to finish games. Anything is possible, and it is possible this team will not have many save chances, too.
I would avoid the Tampa Bay bullpen when looking for saves, at least at this point. It seems unlikely to me that any one hurler is going to become the organization's next Colome in 2018, because having one pitcher - and not necessarily your best one - confined to one role, and not a versatile one, makes little sense. The Rays know this. Rogue Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler might go to right-hander Hector Neris most of the time moving forward, but he has options. Rookie Seranthony Dominguez is fabulous, and better, and being deployed for critical outs. They might come in the ninth inning, and they might not. Regardless, move on from Colome in standard mixed leagues. The value is gone. Alvarado and Roe boast more value.
Other reliever thoughts
Dominguez has appeared in 10 games since his hasty promotion -- he barely pitched in Double-A and Triple-A this season -- and five years ago he would be in line for 40 saves. He is that good. However, Kapler calls on him for the opposition's top hitters, and that has come in the seventh or eighth inning lately. Dominguez has one save. He already boasts six holds, one off the team lead. He has thrown 11 2/3 innings, allowing two singles and nary a free pass. He is dominant, and I believe worth adding even in standard leagues ... but do not count on saves.
Those rostering Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Felipe Vazquez had to be overly concerned when he left Sunday's game prematurely, and after struggling, with forearm tightness and finger numbness. That is not normal. On Monday, Vazquez reported that all was somehow well and he could pitch Tuesday. Give me a break. This is not likely to end well. Vazquez was fantastic in 2017 but again, most relievers struggle to perform at a high level year after year. He has blown his past three save chances and all his numbers are trending in the wrong direction. I think Edgar Santana is next in line, but Michael Feliz, the former Astro, is the one to watch should he ever learn consistent control of the strike zone.
Ken Giles just is not right. I cannot explain it and perhaps manager A.J. Hinch has the same predicament. Giles could not locate his fastball on Sunday and the Indians teed off for three hits. He retired nobody. Giles looked better on Monday but again, he lacks strikeout stuff. Velocity is down, but this strikeout rate is below ordinary. Incredibly, Giles has yet to walk a hitter this season. That is the only reason he still gets saves. If I had invested in Giles anywhere I would try to get another top-15 closer in a trade, fast. Chris Devenski seems days away from major fantasy value and take note of his usage. His role has adjusted to a conventional one-inning role.
It is becoming clear to me that Daniel Winkler has a decent opportunity at Atlanta Braves saves this season. I just see flaws in Arodys Vizcaino and A.J. Minter.
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Raisel Iglesias should return to closing games when activated from the DL, and that could occur any day now, but what the organization really should do is trade him to the highest bidder late in July. What do the Reds need with a 28-year-old closer? Jared Hughes is pitching way over his head so far, and has registered a strikeout in only one of his past eight appearances, so investing there seems silly. Watch veteran David Hernandez end up with saves.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Kenley Jansen last permitted a run or a walk on May 2. Move on, nothing to worry about here.
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Ryan Tepera has graduated to the closer role and while there is not much upside there, he could keep the job for a while and be a top-20 closer, so do not totally ignore him.