Holds League - Replacement for Mike Adams

[brooklyn49]

Klye McClellan
Jason Berken
Sergio Romo
Grant Balfour
Brandon League
Jason Motte
Dan Wheeler
Edward Mujica

Seem to be the best group of candidates available on waiver wire. Obviously, Holds are important, but not at the cost of ERA or K/BB. Don't know that much about Berken; McClellan, while not very flashy, just seems to do it every year. Do any of these candidates stand out?

[Captain Hook]

I like Motte of those pitchers....especially if the added upside of a few saves is might help

Berken's overall numbers are fine - even better out of the bullpen...BUT he can have a horrific outing every once in a while and is in one of those bullpens where occasionally a guy has to "take one for the team".

[rotohuff]

I agree with Perry on Motte, even though he got touched up a bit last night. After that, I would say Mujica.

[brooklyn49]

Jonny Venters became eligible today off the free agent list. Still Motte?

[Captain Hook]

I don't see the value in adding Venters over some of the others (that said I don't play in any leagues where Holds is a category so my value is based on other categories - if he is way ahead in holds then perhaps it makes sense.......if it is very close then is the question which team is likely to win more games for the rest of the season - because assuming similar usage that tie-breaker would seem to favor Motte)

[brooklyn49]

The issue with Motte is that LaRussa shares the set-up responsibilities with Kyle McClellan being the primary guy followed by Motte and Miller.

In Atlanta, Cox has gone with Venters as his primary, then Saito (nasty ERA of late) and Moylan

So, in addition to who has the primary set-up role, it is, as you say, which team is likely to win more games (no guarantee, just ask the Yankees), which guy will get you holds while helping your ERA, WHIP and K/BB ratio. In many cases, one could play roulette with "who is pitching well right now", but that isn't a category in the weekly Shopping Cart. In past years, Todd has sometimes commented on the value of the situational lefty who faces 1 left handed batter and gets himself a Hold.

[Todd Zola]

If this were me and I was in a holds league, here is what I would do.

I'd first filter by K/9.

Then I would look up who has the most holds amongst that group.

Then I would look at recent usage patterns to confirm that player was still getting used in hold situations.

[brooklyn49]

If I employ Todd's methodology, the MR's who have been lights out for the last month or more are:

Jose Veras
Frank Francisco
Rafael Betancourt
Sergio Romo

Thoughts?