O's Need Bullpen Help in the Worst Way

[interloper]

Just now, Frobby said:

Bet we see him on Wednesday.  I like him and wish they were using him more.  At a minimum, he works fast and throws a lot of strikes.  It doesn’t drive you crazy to watch him, even when he gets hit around a bit.

 

Did he kick Hyde's dog or something? I know he struggled early and got optioned but since he's been back he's looked great. 95 with command. Hopefully his usage ticks up a bit.

[e16bball]

11 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I think Chapman is past his prime and I’d rather get someone younger and more consistent.  

It certainly seemed that way coming into the season. But the fastball velocity is back to at least late-prime levels, and all the numbers are ticking up to match. By pretty much every measure, he’s been a top 20ish (or better) reliever so far this season.

He’s always murdered lefties, which would play well in OPACY, and the Wall would probably help him avoid the HR troubles that plagued him at the end of the line with NYY. 

I’m very much with you on preferring someone younger and more consistent. Having two high-BB back end relievers sounds like a recipe for some high stress games. But among the very limited supply of relievers who are (a) pitching for obvious bottom feeders, (b) not long-term assets for those rebuilding teams, and (c) probably available at a reasonable cost in both prospect and financial terms — he seems to be one of the best options at the moment.

[Billy F-Face3]

3 hours ago, Jagwar said:

Hyde somehow wriggles out of a loss. Thank the baseball gods for Felix Bautista. 

Who could Elias poach from the bottom dwellers in MLB? 

There is only 1. Felix said in his post game interview that he prayed that he could get his 20th save on his birthday, and it happened.

[DirtyBird]

8 hours ago, EdwinRip said:

Rays are the best team in baseball with the best home record.  Did you think we were going to win 8-2?

Do you think this an issue that just became apparent last night, against the Rays?

[IPlayGM]

Was just saying this same thing to friends last night. With how our starting pitching is, we need a 2012 level bullpen, which to me would require Tate coming back and being Tate plus one legit bullpen acquisition.

[dystopia]

6 hours ago, e16bball said:

It certainly seemed that way coming into the season. But the fastball velocity is back to at least late-prime levels, and all the numbers are ticking up to match. By pretty much every measure, he’s been a top 20ish (or better) reliever so far this season.

He’s always murdered lefties, which would play well in OPACY, and the Wall would probably help him avoid the HR troubles that plagued him at the end of the line with NYY. 

I’m very much with you on preferring someone younger and more consistent. Having two high-BB back end relievers sounds like a recipe for some high stress games. But among the very limited supply of relievers who are (a) pitching for obvious bottom feeders, (b) not long-term assets for those rebuilding teams, and (c) probably available at a reasonable cost in both prospect and financial terms — he seems to be one of the best options at the moment.

Chapman has control problems and I don't think he's a good clubhouse guy. Not the worst option but I'd like to do better.

[Billy F-Face3]

10 minutes ago, dystopia said:

Chapman has control problems and I don't think he's a good clubhouse guy. Not the worst option but I'd like to do better.

Agreed. Chapman is nothing more than a name at this point in his career. He's not the same pitcher. There's a reason the Yankees left him off of their playoff roster when they were trying to make a deep run at winning the World Series last season. They must not have had any confidence in him.

[emmett16]

Im beginning to wonder if GRod might be the answer to the pen.  Let him come in as a power 2 or 3 inning guy and learn how to get MLB guys out while saving the pen & starters.  

[HelenaEngineer]

There has to be some sort of Kevin Smith for Miguel Castro trade out there for a decent reliever on a bad team - even if he is only a rental. Other than Bautista, Cano and Coulombe, I break out in a cold sweat when we go to the pen. Thank goodness for the Twins. Maybe we can tap them for someone else they don't want.

[interloper]

18 minutes ago, HelenaEngineer said:

There has to be some sort of Kevin Smith for Miguel Castro trade out there for a decent reliever on a bad team - even if he is only a rental. Other than Bautista, Cano and Coulombe, I break out in a cold sweat when we go to the pen. Thank goodness for the Twins. Maybe we can tap them for someone else they don't want.

I agree, I think there's got to be an under-the-radar move out there where it's not one of the elite relievers but someone who can absolutely help. I think we'll be active on the waiver wire as well. 

[RZNJ]

Baumann and Baker have really disappointed of late but both are capable of turning it around.   Wandisson Charles might be an option in a couple of weeks and there’s always Hall and GRod.   All hands on deck.

[Fiver6565]

Just now, RZNJ said:

Baumann and Baker have really disappointed of late but both are capable of turning it around.   Wandisson Charles might be an option in a couple of weeks and there’s always Hall and GRod.   All hands on deck.

Hall shouldn’t even be mentioned as an option at this point. I don’t think they move GRod to the pen. Who knows with Charles - at the very least counting on a guy with no major league experience (or limited - I’m honestly not sure of his background - but the point remains) is foolhardy. 
 

Outside help is going to be required. Our middle relief can’t effectively hold a 7 run lead. Was anyone confident that the Baker/Baumann combo was going to cruise or even just give up 1-2 runs last night?  I sure wasn’t. Thank god Coulombe was able to quell the fire for three outs after giving up the two run single. 

[interloper]

I'm hopeful about Charles, but we saw how well Reed Garrett was pitching in Norfolk and it didn't mean squat up here. 

[Frobby]

41 minutes ago, HelenaEngineer said:

There has to be some sort of Kevin Smith for Miguel Castro trade out there for a decent reliever on a bad team - even if he is only a rental. Other than Bautista, Cano and Coulombe, I break out in a cold sweat when we go to the pen. Thank goodness for the Twins. Maybe we can tap them for someone else they don't want.

Like Jorge Lopez. 

[interloper]

4 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Like Jorge Lopez. 

Currently on the IL for "mental health reasons", which is unfortunate to hear for a guy a lot of us are fond of. I hope he bounces back. 

Baseball-wise, he's got a 5.00 ERA, his strikeouts are way down and his home runs are way up. If the Twins want to sell low, I'd certainly be interested to see if our pitching guys can reignite him.