Mark Melancon was supposed to bring 4 years of stability to the Giants Closer role. Instead, he spent his first season as a Giant battling a sore arm for which he underwent surgery for Compartment Syndrome in September. The plan is for him to be healthy and ready to start the 2018 season as the Closer. Sam Dyson did a credible job of filling in for Melancon, at least until his final 2 Save Opportunities which did not go well. The Giants seem set to bring him back in 2018 as the setup man/backup Closer, but is his projected salary of just over $4 M worth it? Hunter Strickland still has too much trouble with LH batters to be a reliable Closer. Kyle Crick has Closer stuff, but might need another season of MLB experience before he is ready for the role. Reyes Maronta definitely needs experience, but has a Closer FB.
AAA: Tyler Rogers is a sidewinder/submariner who closed for Sacramento in 2017, but is probably more suited to a righty specialist role at the MLB level.
AA: Tyler Cyr was a reliable closer for Richmond and is pitching well in the Arizona Fall League. Cody Hall is a reclamation project.
A+: Dylan Rheault was the Closer for the San Jose Giants. Rodolfo Martinez is a fireballer who reappeared late in the season after an apparent injury.
A: Patrick Ruotolo held down the Closer role all season for the Augusta Greenjackets. He'll have to prove it wasn't just the pitching-friendly environment at higher levels.
Short Season: Garrett Cave was the higher draft pick, but John Russell emerged as the Closer for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.
Rookie AZL: Olbis Parra got the lion's share of Save Opportunities for the AZL Giants with Franklin Van Gurp having some nice appearances late. Both have to prove it wasn't because they were too old for the league.
DSL: Orleny Quiroz, a DSL vet, got the Save Opps for the DSL Giants. Is it enough for a shot stateside?
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I still hold out hope for Law to potentially be a closer. However, as long as the team has one, I'll be pleased.
ReplyDeleteI still have those hopes, too. Though this year was a bit of a wet blanket...
DeleteHonestly though, he's got competition. For example, Crick has really blossomed in the bull-pen role. I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see him as the closer next year (later in the season if Melancon struggles) or 2019.
Not sure he’s even in bullpen convo now.
DeleteFirst, I like Rogers. I think submariners are cool BUT, when Rogers was in the AFL in 2016, his FB ranged between 80-and-82 with a 70-to-71 slider and he pretty much relies on being low in the zone and a deceptive/funky delivery that makes it tough for hitters to get a good look at the ball. Honestly, even though I do really like him, I can't imagine him ever becoming a closer at the MLB level though I think he could, because of his deception, make it in the bullpen.
ReplyDeleteOK, let's do a little cherry picking on Dyson:
ReplyDelete1. Leave out Texas.
2. Leave out his first appearance as a Giant (not a good outing, and, you know, he just showed up, probably jet-lagged, new situation, etc).
3. Leave out the last two appearances for the Giants.
36.2 Innings, 28 hits, 15 BBs, 25 Ks. 1.18 WHIP, ERA 2.45, BA .211, OPS, .605.
Good...but...me, I let him go at $4+ million.
I know management is going to talk itself into this being a 2018 playoff team after Cueto re-ups. But unless Dyson fits into some long-term plan, let him go.
If the Giants really want him, let the market call his worth and sign him for that. I just don't think teams will be lining up around the block for a guy who blew 7 saves in 21 tries.
I was all on board with re-upping Dyson to be setup/backup closer until those last two Blown Saves. That was ugly! You might take a chance for $1 M or less, but $4 M? That's cheap for a good setup guy, but how good is Dyson?
DeleteSomeone with deep pockets will take a flyer.
ReplyDeleteUnless Cueto leaves, the Giants need their money for a "get-it" CFer or a "smash-it" corner OFer.
Actually, whatever Cueto does, the Giants need their money for a "get-it" CFer or a "smash-it" corner OFer.
Dyson: incentive laden contract perhaps?
What incentives? He won’t be the closer.
DeleteHardly need to be a closer, but he could end up the closer depending on Melancon.
DeleteStatistical achievements cannot be used: pitchers with incentive-laden contracts can trigger incentives based on number of innings pitched, number of appearances, number of games finished, etc.
Makes a lot of sense unless the Giants use the money for something else they need: OFers!
I guess I'll have to be the odd guy and disagree. I would sign him. Just to play devil's advocate, who could you sign as a FA that would be better on a 1 year $4 million deal? Besides, if he lights it up and the Giants tank, he would make a very attractive trade piece, especially since relief pitcher are valued so highly in recent years...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog Dr B. It is a daily read for me.
With due respect to the talents of Crick and Dyson, I don't think they are realistic options as closers. The walk rate is just too high. Once you get to 3BB per 9, you're redlining it. Both guys are more like 4BB+ per 9. I don't think you can trust the 9th to guys who can't/won't throw strikes.
ReplyDeleteIs Will Smith ever coming back? He could grab a few saves.
ReplyDelete