This week we have a battle of the beltways as both Baltimore and Washington have had turmoil in the closer’s role. For one team, it could mean the difference between a playoff opportunity and early golf. For the other, it doesn’t mean much as they have little hope of reaching the playoffs and their closer is signed next year for an exorbitant fee. Read along to see who is who!

Baltimore Orioles

Jim Johnson led the majors in saves last year with 51. He’s doing the same this season with 39. So, what’s the problem? Well, in 2012 he blew only three of 54 chances. This season? He’s blown nine of 48 including his last three opportunities. Buck Showalter certainly didn’t give him a vote of confidence on Friday.

Tommy Hunter was the choice when the O’s went extra innings against San Francisco on August 9. I believe that Showalter would look here first instead of K-Rod. Showalter seems to like him in tight situations and he’s got enough stuff to be successful as his K% is up to 18.7% and his BB% is down to 4.4%. He’s been a bit lucky this season with a .209 BABIP, but it looks like Showalter trusts him as the next line.

Francisco Rodriguez is nursing a groin injury and the O’s say he should be able to stay off of the DL. Rodriguez has the most closing experience of the entire bullpen (including the incumbent Johnson). He was out of baseball until being signed as a free agent by the Brewers this year. He’s resurrected his career this year, but he hasn’t been nearly as effective since coming over to the American League.

Brian Matusz is the lefty who would be in line for matchup saves should it come to that.

Washington Nationals

I won’t spend a ton of words on the Nats bullpen because it likely doesn’t matter what happens. Rafael Soriano will probably remain the closer unless he is injured. Soriano has a $14M salary next season (with $7M deferred). Unless they find a sucker…errr….trade partner, he’s going to be back in DC closing next season. Therefore, they have little reason to pull him from the role. Moreover, the Nats aren’t likely heading to the playoffs this season, so there is less of an impetus on winning games. That said, there are a couple of options should Soriano be moved out of the role.

Tyler Clippard is the clear handcuff in the bullpen should Soriano see himself on the outs. Clippard was excellent in the role last season picking up 32 saves. It’s unclear why GM Mike Rizzo felt the need to go out and spend so much on Soriano when he had Clippard already in house and he could have bolstered the setup relief corps at a much cheaper price. Clippard is a relief ace and should be owned in most leagues.

Fernando Abad is a journeyman reliever who has put up some fabulous numbers this year for the Nats. He’s been helped along by an unsustainable 3.1% HR/FB rate. However, the rest of his peripherals are in line with his surface stats and the lefty could see a matchup save or two down the road.

Drew Storen was recalled from AAA this week. No need to add him anywhere. He needs to prove he can pitch in low leverage situations at the major league level before he’s back on my radar.

Seattle Mariners

Danny Farquhar finally blew a save this week in Wilhelmsen-esque fashion. He gave up four hits and a walk while not recording an out. Interim manager Robby Thompson said he’d probably stick with Farquhar for the next save opportunity and that he did on Friday night. He picked up the save striking out two batters at the bottom of the Rangers lineup. Farquhar certainly seems to have the proper attitude about things based on his quotes in that article so he seems like he’ll be able to survive the ebbs and flows of the role if given the leash to do so.

Charlie Furbush was not covered in previous column and should have been. Furbush came in just before Farquhar on Friday and got out of a bases loaded jam on four pitches. The lefty Furbush has been an effective reliever for the last two seasons for the Mariners.  His biggest problem is his left/right splits. For his career, he’s giving up .806 OPS to righties versus a .532 OPS to lefties. He’s been better this season (.725 to righties versus .402 to lefties). Still, I think he’d fall behind Oliver Perez if the Mariners need to dig deeper into the pen for a closer.

Carter Capps has been the good Carter Capps in his return from minor league exile. A 1.59 ERA over 5 2/3 IP with six punch outs, but perhaps more importantly no home runs and only one walk. Capps is only 23 and could certainly challenge for the closer’s role next season.

Houston Astros

Chia-Jen Lo picked up the first save in the Astros bullpen this week. The next day, Josh Fields picked up a save in an eleven inning win. Lo had pitched two days in a row so manager Bo Porter may have wanted to keep Lo out of the game. Lo is the closer to me, but his skills are marginal and could struggle to hold on to the job for the rest of the season. The Astros’ bullpen continues to be only for the desperate save-chasers.

Then, Saturday, Porter came out and said he’d alternate chances in the Houston pen so it’s doubtful either Lo or Fields will have value in anything but the deepest of leagues.

Close Calls

Rafael Betancourt is healthy and ready to return. It looks like he’ll probably slide back into the closer’s role upon his return, but could still be dealt in August. Rex Brothers is still the favorite to close in 2014.

Gonzalez Germen picked up a save this week as LaTroy Hawkins nursed a very sensitive injury. Germen may have moved in front of David Aardsma. Hawkins is still the man once he’s healthy. Bobby Parnell is said to being making good progress, but he still hasn’t picked up a ball since landing on the DL.

Definitions

2013 Closer – The current closer
Handcuff Option – This is the guy who I believe will step into the closer role if the current closer loses his job.
Other Option – Another arm in the pen who could close if the manager chooses to go a different route.
Dark Horse Option – If all hell breaks loose in the pen, this guy could get a shot this year.
2014 Closer – This guy should be in the closer’s role on Opening Day 2014.