Tom Wilhelmsen: The New Closer in Seattle
By Bill Pivetz
The Seattle Mariners look to have yet another closer. After Carson Smith took the job from former Mariner Fernando Rodney (now in Chicago), Tom Wilhelmsen has recorded two saves in consecutive appearances. He is the likely closer for a team with no chance at the playoffs. If you need a boost in saves this late in the season, then pick up Wilhelmsen.
Tom Wilhelmsen was the Mariners’ closer in 2012 and 2013. He had 29 saves and a 2.50 ERA in 2012 and 24 and 4.12 ERA in 2013.The Mariners then acquired Rodney from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014, and he dominated. Rodney recorded a league-high 48 saves. He was the obvious choice to enter 2015 as Seattle’s closer.
After recording saves in his first two appearances of the season, he allowed six earned runs in the following two. In 54 games, 50.2 innings, Rodney gave up 32 runs on 51 hits (eight home runs) with just 16 saves. Surprisingly, Manager Lloyd McClendon kept Rodney in the role even though he kept blowing saves.
Finally enough was enough and the plug was pulled on Rodney. Enter Smith. He has 13 saves, four blown saves and 15 holds with a 3.00 ERA and 1.01 WHIP this season. Throughout all of this, Tom Wilhelmsen was struggling. From April 7 to July 30, he had a 4.32 ERA and .290 opposing batting average.
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However, Wilhelmsen has lowered his season ERA about half of a run this month. He has a 2.70 ERA, .182 opposing BA and three saves this month. Smith was used to record more than three outs in consecutive games. This looks like it’s Tom Wilhelmsen’s job to lose.
With the Mariners not winning many games, the opportunities may be few and far between. However, two or three saves per week can make a difference in Roto leagues. In head-to-head, it could make the difference in winning that category for the week.
Other fantasy owners are already jumping to add Tom Wilhelmsen. He’s been added in 13.6 percent of ESPN.com leagues over the last week, the fifth-most added pitcher. If you are looking for saves this late into the season, you’ll take anything you can get.