PT Today

(*) PT TODAY: Feliz named Rangers closer

PT Today

BaseballHQ

Jul 24 2014 11:06pm

(*) PT TODAY: Feliz named Rangers closer

BaseballHQ

Jul 24 2014

Team-by-team playing time allocation charts can be found in our Teamview pages.

American League \| National League

Rangers \| Neftali Feliz takes over at closer
Texas Rangers RP Neftali Feliz will take over as closer after the team dealt RP Joakim Soria. 'The Feliz of old is a dominant, elite closer,' general manager Jon Daniels said. 'He may get that opportunity, whether it's as a traditional closer or in some other way. He's still so young and you still see the ability, just not as consistently. It would be a good test for him to see how he responds.' Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant

BHQ take: For now at least, Feliz returns to the role in which he was so successful as the Rookie of the Year in the AL in 2010, and again in the Rangers other World Series season in 2011. However, with injuries intervening, Feliz is not the same pitcher as in 2011; since his recall, his fastball has averaged several MPH slower than in his pre-injury heyday, and he has an awful 3.5 Dom in that time. That said, Feliz' velocity has been uneven, and there's speculation he may dial it up a notch now that he has the 9th inning. But given his lack of dominance, it's hard to put a lot of faith that Feliz will nail down the closer role. Soria's departure also trickles down through the TEX bullpen, with talented rookie Roman Mendez, newly acquired Corey Knebel (currently still at Triple-A, but a possible alternative if Feliz struggles), and perhaps incumbent Neal Cotts and others getting new or increased roles. Clearly, the Rangers bullpen is in a state of flux, and could change again prior to the non-waiver deadline July 31. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: High
Knebel, Corey	PT Gain: 1% SV Gain: 5%
Feliz, Neftali	SV Gain: 75%
Mendez, Roman	PT Gain: 2% SV Gain: 5%
Cotts, Neal	SV Gain: 5%



Mariners \| Make roster moves
Seattle Mariners INF Willie Bloomquist (knee) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, July 24, with a right knee contusion. In corresponding moves, SS Chris Taylor and DH Jesus Montero were recalled from Triple-A Tacoma. Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Bob Dutton

BHQ take: Although SEA has yet to state it explicitly, expect Taylor to take AB from Brad Miller. Taylor has hit well in Triple-A, but also has benefited from a likely-aberrant BABIP over .400. He also has struck out a lot, with limited power. Read more about Taylor in our Call-Ups section. Montero likely is only up for a game, although it's possible he sticks and Justin Smoak goes out. Miller owners appear to be the losers here, despite some better results since June. Miller has been highly inconsistent, but at 24 still has strong skills. It's worth noting that Nick Franklin has also been bypassed by Taylor, which could impact his long-term future with SEA. As with the Mariner's other recent moves, watch for news/updates over the week prior to the non-waiver trade deadline. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: High
Taylor, Chris	PT Gain: 60%
Miller, Bradley	PT Loss: -45%
Montero, Jesus
Bloomquist, Willie	PT Loss: -10%



Mariners \| Acquire Kendrys Morales
The Seattle Mariners have acquired 1B Kendrys Morales from the Minnesota Twins for RP Stephen Pryor. Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

BHQ take: Morales will assume the bulk of SEA's DH at-bats upon his arrival. Morales has been a major disappointment so far in 2014, with a meager 75 PX. A switch-hitter, Morales figures to benefit overall from the move from MIN to SEA, as Safeco Field is much less hostile to HR from LHB. SEA Mgr Lloyd McClendon has stated that Corey Hart and Logan Morrison will platoon at 1B. With Hart on the wrong side of that platoon, he and the increasingly irrelevant Justin Smoak figure to lose the most AB. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: High
Smoak, Justin	PT Loss: -30%
Morrison, Logan	PT Loss: -10%
Hart, Corey C	PT Loss: -40%
Morales, Kendrys	PT Loss: -5%



Twins \| Trade Kendrys Morales
The Minnesota Twins traded 1B Kendrys Morales to the Seattle Mariners for RP Stephen Pryor. Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

BHQ take: Pryor was sent to AAA-Rochester and will need some work on his control issues (5.2 Ctl at AAA-Tacoma) before he heads to MIN. On the hitting side, MIN still has a glut of 1B/OF/DH players after Morales' departure, so the DH ABs will probably be spread out. Josmil Pinto is at AAA-Rochester and has struggled to a .229 BA (0.67 Eye, 74% ct%) and no HR since he returned from the DL July 9 with hip stiffness. When PT Today looked at Chris Parmelee July 3rd, his BA was bolstered by a 57% h% in May. For the month of July, his hit rate was a more earthly 32%, and his 47% GB% plus 24% LD% and 0.18 Eye has resulted in a .245 BA and no HR for the month. Chris Colabello may be getting back to normal after a May collapse and demotion to Triple-A. While it's only 31 AB, he's showing the same 74% ct% he did in his .286 BA April, and an average 29% h% has him batting .258 (.259 xBA) in July. He's lofting the ball at a 61% FB% rate, resulting in two HR for the month. Coming off the DL and a .000 BA rehab assignment, Danny Santana had six K in his first two games back but went 3-for-3 July 23rd. —Mike Shears

Impact: Med
Santana, Daniel	PT Gain: 25%
Pinto, Josmil	PT Gain: 10%
Colabello, Chris	PT Gain: 15%
Pryor, Stephen	PT Loss: -1%
Parmelee, Chris	PT Gain: 25%



Yankees \| Acquire Chris Capuano
The New York Yankees acquired RP Chris Capuano from the Colorado Rockies for cash considerations. Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch

BHQ take: Capuano pitched in short relief with BOS earlier in 2014, but was being stretched out in the minors by Colorado to return to the rotation. While no corresponding move or role assignment has yet been made, Chase Whitley is certainly a target. As previously reported, Whitley was converted to a starter in mid 2013, and currently trails the rest of the rotation with the highest ERA (4.60), the most hits per 9 innings (11.3) and the next to lowest Dom (6.8, with Hiroki Kuroda at 6.3). The left-handed Capuano's four 2014 minor league starts show promise (21 strikeouts and five walks in 19.1 innings), but a major league career 39% flyball rate and 1.2 HR/9, in the AL East with RH batter home run launching pads in NYY (+16%), BAL (+16%) and TOR (+21%) should temper expectations. —Matt Dodge

Impact: Med
Whitley, Chase	PT Loss: -3%
Capuano, Chris	PT Gain: 3%



Tigers \| Joe Nathan remains closer
Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski confirmed Wednesday, July 23, that RP Joe Nathan will remain the team's closer, meaning newly-acquired RP Joakim Soria will work in a setup role. Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck

BHQ take: Soria's acquisition deepens a DET bullpen ranking in the AL's bottom tier in ERA. His 192 BPV, featuring 42 K/4 BB in 33 IP, dwarfs Nathan's 86 BPV. Nathan's shaky 3.9 Ctl, with 16 BB in 39 IP, is the key difference here. Nathan's 35% H%/61% S% misfortune is driving his 5.89 ERA, nearly two runs higher than his 3.95 xERA. Soria's 2.70 ERA gives him a substantial statistical advantage, roughly commensurate to his skills edge. While Nathan remains in the role, Soria's superior skills could eventually win him closing opportunities. —Tom Kephart

Impact: High
Soria, Joakim	SV Gain: 20%
Nathan, Joe	SV Loss: -20%



Athletics \| Jim Johnson DFA'ed
Correcting a previous report, Oakland Athletics RP Jim Johnson was designated for assignment. Oakland recalled RP Evan Scribner from Triple-A Sacramento. Source: MLB.com

BHQ take: Scribner has ridden the Triple-A shuttle a lot in 2014, but to date only has 1 IP to show for it. He's a decent reliever, as evidenced by his solid MLEs, and is a good fit for OAK with his higher FB rate. He very well may be sent out again soon, though, if OAK adds bullpen help, so don't assume this PT projection will stick. There's no good reason to roster Scriber at this point. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: Low
Scribner, Evan	PT Gain: 2%
Johnson, Jim



White Sox \| Zach Putnam to DL
Chicago White Sox RP Zach Putnam (shoulder) was placed on the disabled list Thursday, July 24, with right shoulder inflammation. In a corresponding move, RP Andre Rienzo was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte. Source: MLB.com

BHQ take: In an conference with the media July 24, manager Robin Ventura said Jake Petricka will be getting the save opps while Putnam is out. If Petricka needs a break, Ronald Belisario is having his best month of 2014 with a 2.13 ERA / 3.14 xERA and 0.95 WHIP in 12.2 IP. He's been a bit fortunate, as it's a result of a 21% h%, 82% S% and 70% GB%. —Mike Shears

Impact: Low
Petricka, Jacob	SV Gain: 10%
Rienzo, Andre	PT Gain: 1%
Belisario, Ronald
Putnam, Zach Z	PT Loss: -1% SV Loss: -10%



Rangers \| Jerome Williams starting Friday
Texas Rangers SP Jerome Williams will start Friday, July 25, against the Oakland Athletics. Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant

BHQ take: Nick Tepesch pitched in relief in the Rangers' long extra innings game earlier this week, so his turn is simply being skipped. Williams' skills have exceeded his stats this year, but not by a lot, and historically he has been awful as as SP. What's more, unless he (unexpectedly) pitches brilliantly against OAK, he'll likely be sent out afterward anyway. Feel free to avoid Williams. —Rod Truesdell

Impact: Low
Tepesch, Nicholas	PT Loss: -1%
Williams, Jerome	PT Gain: 1%



Indians \| Asdrúbal Cabrera update
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Indians SS Asdrúbal Cabrera (back) increased his activity today and could return to the lineup Saturday, July 26, according to manager Terry Francona. Francona noted it could be an optimistic expectation, though. Source: MLB.com - Jordan Bastian

BHQ take: Utility player Mike Aviles is Cabrera's replacement. Aviles is getting similar PT to 2013, though his skills are showing signs of deterioration. His .242 xBA and 58 PX, 85% ct% and 0.19 Eye are his lowest since his abbreviated 120-AB 2009. Cabrera is struggling for a second straight season after his strong 2011-12 seasons. His ct% has slipped from the low 80s ct% he sustained from 2009-12, and his xBA and BA have followed. —Tom Kephart

Impact: Low
Aviles, Mike	PT Gain: 5%
Cabrera, Asdrubal	PT Loss: -5%





National League \| American League

Giants \| Not encouraged by Marco Scutaro
San Francisco Giants 2B Marco Scutaro hasn't encouraged the club or scouts with his play. He wasn't in the lineup Thursday, July 24, even though they're facing a left-hander. Observers says his lack of mobility and bat speed is holding him back. Ehire Adrianza continues to receive playing time in place of Scutaro. Source: CSNBayArea.com - Andrew Baggarly

BHQ take: The Giants’ dreary 2B situation appeared to have brightened when Scutaro was activated from his yearlong DL stay two weeks ago, but now there is more uncertainty with the position than at any time this season. Scutaro’s lack of mobility and residue discomfort has limited him to 11 AB in portions of five games (in which he’s logged one hit), while rookie Joe Panik (and his .210/.265/.242 slash line) has been unavailable the past several games because of an ankle sprain. Joaquin Arias’ line is even more puny, and Braves castoff Dan Uggla is at AAA-Fresno trying to make a good enough impression to warrant a callup by his contractual fish-or-cut-bait August 1 date. The one (flickering) light has been the recent play of Ehire Adrianza, who is 16-for-49 (.327 BA) since June 1, but his RBI on Thursday, July 24, was only his second in that span. In this group, only Panik has discernible fantasy value moving forward, courtesy of his age (23) and minor-league credentials (.296 BA with a near 1:1 K:BB ratio). —Rob Carroll

Impact: Low
Panik, Joe	PT Loss: -15%
Adrianza, Ehire	PT Gain: 10%
Arias, Joaquin	PT Gain: 5%
Scutaro, Marco	PT Loss: -20%



Mets \| Recall Wilmer Flores
The New York Mets recalled SS Wilmer Flores from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis in his place. Source: MLB.com

BHQ take: Rubén Tejada appears to have avoided going on the DL with a concussion, but the Mets have decided to recall Wilmer Flores to provide infield depth—the Mets have only had one back-up infielder, Eric Campbell, on their roster for awhile. On the surface, it has appeared that Tejada had been performing better of late, as he's had a .253 Avg and .392 OBP; however, a closer look reveals a .199 xBA and a 24 PX. Flores has been outstanding at Triple-A Las Vegas—over the last month, he's had a homer about every 10 at bats to go along with a .341 average. What Flores still needs to prove is an ability to handle MLB pitching. Over 175 career at bats, he has a .228 xBA and a 64 PX, and we haven't even discussed his defense, which has been universally panned. To make room for Flores, the Mets have sent Kirk Nieuwenhuis back to Las Vegas. If he gets another shot, he remains someone owners in deep leagues may wish to consider. Over 57 at bats in 2014, clearly a small sample, he has a .274 xBA and a 253 PX. —Phil Hertz

Impact: Med
Lagares, Juan	PT Gain: 5%
Flores, Wilmer	PT Gain: 10%
Tejada, Ruben	PT Loss: -10%
Nieuwenhuis, Kirk	PT Loss: -15%
Young Jr., Eric O	PT Gain: 5%
Young, Chris B	PT Gain: 5%

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Playing Time Key

The playing time percentage changes at the bottom of most news items correspond to BaseballHQ.com's Teamview pages. The percentages approximate changes in AB, IP and Saves in the following manner:

For batters, each 5% of PT% ~ 31 AB (100% total for each position = 618 AB)
For pitchers, each 3% of PT% ~ 44 IP (100% total for a team's entire pitching staff)
For relievers, each 5% of Svs ~ 2 saves (100% of a team's total = about40 saves)

A complete explanation of BaseballHQ.com's playing time allocations can be found in the article "How the Projections are Created."