RP gambles: Taking risks now can hurt later
Mar 9 2025
Pitching chaos. That is what you typically get during a season when you take closers with weaker skill sets. This “gambles” column calls out some of the bullpens where the projected saves options are weaker, in hopes that you can avoid the chaos and constant scrambling and FAAB overpays that come with it.
We start with the Detroit Tigers who embraced their pitching chaos all the way into the playoffs in 2024. Incumbent Jason Foley (RHP, DET) rewarded the risk-takers with plenty of saves despite a weaker skill set. Foley is projected for 24 saves in 2025. But look at the projected skills data:
| DET | SV | HD | IP | xERA | WHIP | K% | K-BB% | HR9 |
| Foley, Jason | 24 | 7 | 44 | 4.00 | 1.32 | 18% | 10% | 0.6 |
| Holton, Tyler L | 6 | 14 | 44 | 3.75 | 1.07 | 21% | 15% | 0.8 |
| Kahnle, Tommy | 4 | 14 | 44 | 3.55 | 1.18 | 25% | 15% | 1.0 |
| Vest,... |
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