Here's a quick look at several closer situations in flux as we approach the July 31 trade deadline.
Houston - Francisco Cordero was immediately named the Astros' closer upon being acquired as part of the 10-player swap between Houston and Toronto on Friday. The Astros have been struggling in July, however, and the save opportunities may be difficult to come by during the final two-plus months of the season. As for Cordero, his experience in the ninth-inning role is likely dictating the opportunity for saves more than his performance this season. In 41 appearances with the Jays, Cordero has posted a 6.82 K/9IP, 3.67 BB/9IP and 1.83 HR/9IP. There are few options knocking on the door to replace him at this time, however, so he could have a reasonable amount of leash despite the underwhelming peripherals. Down the road (2013 or later), prospect Josh Zeid is an interesting relief arm to watch for Houston.
Milwaukee - Although it wasn't pretty, Francisco Rodriguez converted a pair of save opportunities after replacing John Axford as the Brewers' closer on July 17. Rodriguez's control has been a concern (4.33 BB/9IP), while the swing-and-miss stuff is deteriorating as he's carrying the lowest strikeout rate of his career (8.66 K/9IP) through 47 appearances this season. John Axford has worked in a very limited relief role since his demotion, retiring six batters over three outings and allowing a pair of hits. Rodriguez could be on the move within the next week, and his declining peripherals make him a volatile commodity anyway. Invest now in Axford if you are looking to speculate on saves for the final two months of the season.
San Diego - After locking up Carlos Quentin through 2015, the Padres are reportedly looking to sign Huston Street to a contract extension as well. Given how well he's pitched this season (38:8 K:BB in 28.1 innings, 0.95 ERA and 16-for-16 in save opportunities), there will likely be a significant amount of interest if those contract talks are put on hold until Street becomes a free agent at season's end. Dale Thayer fell apart after having initial success as Street's replacement earlier this season, leaving Luke Gregerson (45:13 K:BB, 3.12 ERA) as the favorite should a trade or injury befall the Padres' closer.
Colorado - The Rockies are expected to sell as the aforementioned trade deadline approaches next week, and Betancourt looks like a viable option to deal as a 37-year-old veteran closer on a team looking toward the future. Surprisingly, Betancourt has already issued more walks this season (nine, in 35 innings) than he did in each of the last two seasons (eight, in 62.1 innings), but he's converted 16-of-20 save chances while carrying a 3.09 ERA when called upon. Since returning from a stint at Colorado Springs, left-hander Rex Brothers has a 30:5 K:BB over his last 24 appearances (22 innings) and appears to be past the control issues that ultimately punched his return ticket to Triple-A. Either Brothers or Matt Belisle will take over if Betancourt ends up finishing the season elsewhere.
Minnesota - At least for now, the Twins are using matchups and recent workloads to determine their closer-by-committee arrangement with Glen Perkins and Jared Burton while Matt Capps is on the disabled list with rotator cuff irritation. If he were healthy, Capps might have been on the trade block as he's pitched well around his absences with a 3.81 ERA and 18:4 K:BB in 28.1 innings en route to 14 saves this season. Perkins recorded the most recent save chance for the Twins on Friday, and appears to have the inside track to the larger share of the job for the time being.
Kansas City - Jonathan Broxton is believed to be on the short list of players the Royals are looking to unload in the near future. Although his 24:14 K:BB is nothing to get excited about, perhaps a contending club will value him as a potential setup option down the stretch. The Royals' bullpen has plenty of intriguing arms capable of making an impact should the ninth-inning opportunity arise. Aaron Crow, who recorded a six-out save last week, is the current favorite to replace Broxton, but Greg Holland remains an option as well as he's corrected his first-half control woes with a 9:0 K:BB over his last five appearances (6.1 innings).
Cleveland - The Indians are only 4.5 games back in the American League Central, so the rumors that Chris Perez is on the block could be entirely conjecture. The 27-year-old Perez is having a monster year, combining an excellent strikeout rate (10.44 K/9IP) with the best control of his professional career (1.78 BB/9IP) en route to 26 saves entering play Monday. Setup man Vinnie Pestano has been dominant this season as well, carrying a 51:15 K:BB in 40.1 innings along with a 1.56 ERA and 0.97 WHIP and he's the quintessential closer-in-waiting at this point.
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