Just because right-hander Nathan Eovaldi has recorded nary a save in his eight-year major league career hardly means he cannot pile on the saves the final three months of this season. The Boston Red Sox are apparently considering Eovaldi for the closer role, and while it is easy to be skeptical, well, do you have a better idea? The rival New York Yankees embarrassed them in London and few relief pitchers escaped the fray without ERA damage. Only the beleaguered New York Mets have more blown saves than Boston. Matt Barnes, regarded as the team's top reliever, has permitted multiple runs in three of four outings. The question should not be
This hardly means fantasy managers regardless of league size and rules should flock to Eovaldi, for I can find quite a few interesting relief pitchers actually earning saves now who are readily available in ESPN's standard formats, which are 10-teamers (Hector Neris, Luke Jackson, Shawn Kelley). Still, the upside for this potential role change is immense because of the championship team around him, and the pitcher is already gone in my deeper formats. Eovaldi is currently rehabbing from his latest malady -- biceps soreness on the heels of an April elbow scope -- and he has a pair of Tommy John surgeries on his ledger, so durability is not a strength. The Red Sox believe a relief role could keep him healthy, and few argue about his talent.
After all, Eovaldi, a bit of a playoff hero for his extended relief work in Game 3 of the World Series, is one of the harder throwers among starters, averaging better than 97 mph on his fastball for years, and he improved his cutter during his brief 2018 stint with the Tampa Bay Rays. Eovaldi also features a usable curveball and slider, but in a relief role, in shorter appearances, he could focus on the harder pitches. There are no shortage of failed starting pitchers transitioning to one-inning roles and succeeding. Sure, the Red Sox and fantasy managers would prefer 160 innings over six months, but Eovaldi last sailed past that mark in 2014 with the Miami Marlins. He is 29. He might not be ready to pitch for Boston until later this month, but this could really work out nicely.
For now, I cannot recommend any Boston relief pitcher for fantasy purposes, and even if Eovaldi returns in a few weeks, his potential is mere projection, and I would prefer to roster the aforementioned Philadelphia, Atlanta and Texas closers, for example. Barnes last saved a game the first week of June. Move on. Brandon Workman saved a game last week, but there is no evidence that will continue, regardless of Eovaldi's plight. Ryan Brasier leads the club with seven saves, but six came in April. The Red Sox might not win the AL East, but I think they are playoff bound, and Chris Sale in a one-game matchup is appealing. Perhaps the organization trades for help, like San Francisco Giants lefty Will Smith. Perhaps Eovaldi saves 15 games the rest of the way. Open your mind to opportunity.
Here are some brief thoughts on other closer situations.
I would add and stash Colorado Rockies right-hander Scott Oberg before I would Eovaldi. Oberg is healthy and thriving. Wade Davis has a 9.88 home ERA. Perhaps it is a home/road platoon pending.
New Chicago Cubs right-hander Craig Kimbrel looked awful on Monday night, permitting two no-doubt home runs, and Adam Frazier came within inches of a third. Kimbrel threw hard and yes, he never had a real Spring Training so he deserves a break, but if you think a sub-2.00 ERA is coming, good luck. Still, he should pile on saves. One needs not be great to do so.
Mets right-hander Edwin Diaz looks awful as well, and I dropped him in my rankings to barely a top-10 spot, but there is no way he loses the closer role unless he hits the injured list. Not with that manager making ridiculous choices. It seems to me that Diaz, like most closers a fly ball/strikeout option, is a particular sufferer from the new baseball, as his seven home runs attest.
Milwaukee Brewers lefty Josh Hader remains my No. 1 fantasy reliever, for he combines whiffs and saves like no other, but he has allowed seven home runs as well. The difference is he has allowed only four singles! Hader is second to San Diego Padres surprise Kirby Yates on the Player Rater among relievers, mainly because Yates, still a great strikeout option, has 27 saves.
However, I would worry just a bit about the Brewers giving right-hander Jeremy Jeffress a portion of the save chances. He saved Monday's win as Hader faced lefties in the eighth inning. Jeffress faced right-handers in the ninth. Jeffress saved 15 games last season and 27 in 2016. He is, like 90 percent of big league pitchers by the way, eminently capable of saving games.
I would not drop Cincinnati Reds right-hander Raisel Iglesias to add potential replacement Michael Lorenzen, but I would drop Iglesias for others. I do not see 15 more saves coming his way.
Now that Rays lefty Jose Alvarado returned to the active roster and saved Monday's win, we can part with Emilio Pagan. I do think right-hander Diego Castillo, upon his return from the injured list, can be more valuable than Alvarado, though.
I am not cutting Oakland Athletics right-hander Blake Treinen in a standard league, but I am getting concerned, even with his pending return to the team any day. Treinen is on the injured list with shoulder troubles, and his Monday outing went poorly for Triple-A Las Vegas. As with the Mets' Diaz, last season's statistics means nothing. I would try to trade Treinen in fantasy before the Athletics activate him.
Monday takeaways
• What else can we say about Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell? We thought he had power potential years ago and then, last season, he managed to hit 12 home runs. After the three he bashed on Monday, he has 25. It is all legit. He is finally barreling baseballs up, hitting everything hard, and he is on pace for an historic season for extra-base hits. Buy, buy, buy!
• I see so many similarities with the Rays' Kevin Kiermaier and Giants' Kevin Pillar, and not only their first names or the fact each bashed three-run homers on Monday. Each has reached double digits in the category, to little fantasy fanfare, and each steals enough bases to matter. The problem: neither player gets on base much, which is frustrating if that is a category, or you play in a simulation league, but awesome defense offsets this to a degree. Still, in a deep roto format, they are underrated.
• I love watching Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. play, defensively as well as at the plate. By the way, because he is contributing in all fantasy categories, and looks like a future 30/30 option, the case for him as the most valuable fantasy rookie -- over Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Pete Alonso, everyone -- is easy to make.
• Rookie pitchers break hearts: See what happened to Padres lefty Logan Allen and Cubs right-hander Adbert Alzolay on Monday. I doubt either gets the chance to pitch in the majors this weekend. Always be more cautious with young pitchers than hitters, and especially due to the change in the baseball.
Health report
• Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte, still rostered in nearly half of ESPN's standard leagues despite a long injured list stint, is finally about to start a rehab assignment. The problem is the Braves cannot sit any outfielders when he returns. Austin Riley might be a problem defensively and in getting on base, but the power is legit. Inciarte stole 28 bases last season, but I see a defensive replacement role for him the final three months. Move on, folks.
W2W4
• The Cubs get right-hander Kyle Hendricks back from the IL in Pittsburgh. He is the No. 34 starting pitcher on the season Player Rater, and while his is not a fantastic strikeout rate, his 1.14 WHIP, which is right around his career mark is. It is not too relevant, but current Pirates have three home runs off him in 147 at-bats.
• Frustrating Jack Flaherty takes the mound on ESPN+ as the Cardinals face the Mariners. Flaherty should be great, and we continue to rank him as a top-20 starter, but he has earned his 4.75 ERA with too many home runs and struggles against left-handed hitters. Even with important pieces missing, the Mariners remain a dangerous offense. Watch shortstop J.P. Crawford; he is hitting a BABIP-fueled .310 but draws walks and scores runs.
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