Weekly Waiver Wire – Week 8: May 28-June 3
Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be even more closer changes… here’s some more new closers! Aroldis Chapman and Addison Reed are now the official closers, though both are very likely owned already. Ernesto Frieri will get the bulk of the save chances in LA, though Downs will also likely still get some occasionally as well for the time being. Brandon League is out in Seattle, so Tom Wilhelmsen will likely get first crack at the closer’s gig there (though they say it’ll be a committee). Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett are now sharing the job in Washington until Storen gets back, with Clippard getting the last 3 saves. There was another changing of the guard in Chicago as Rafael Dolis was also removed from the closer’s role in favor of James Russell (who was supposed to share the job with Dolis initially) and Shawn Camp. Russell should be the favorite to pick up saves there, though Marmol may be able to eventually reclaim it when he returns from the minors this week if he pitches well. Heath Bell blew 2 more save opps and had to be replaced by Steve Cishek and Randy Choate. If they remove him from the role again, Cishek remains the most likely candidate to get the bulk of the saves in his stead. So with that, let’s look at who might be available on waivers this week: Shallow League Waivers RP Ernesto Frieri (LAA) – Will get the bulk of the saves in LA while Downs picks up some saves occasionally as well. He should eventually become the sole closer there. He’s lights-out. RP Tom Wilhelmsen (SEA) – He’s the favorite to take over the closer’s role from League, even though they say they will use a committee based on match-ups. Wilhelmsen was … Click here to continue reading…