Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Tony Pena finished the 2008 season with a 3-2 record and three saves while posting a 52:17 K:BB ratio in 72 appearances. The early-season emergence of Brandon Lyon as the D-Backs’ closer put Pena’s opportunity to work the ninth inning on hold, while Chad Qualls ended up taking over the role down the stretch when Lyon and trade deadline acquisition Jon Rauch were struggling. As for Pena, his strikeout rate (6.44 K/9IP) remained in line with his career mark, while he managed to cut back on his walks (2.11 BB/9IP) and home runs (0.62 HR/9IP). If he had been able to avoid a spike in BABIP (.329), Pena would have finished with an ERA closer to three than the 4.33 he ended with. All signs point to another season as a valuable set-up man for the D-Backs, especially since Arizona is likely to lose Juan Cruz via free agency. Pena will also remain in the mix for the closer’s role, and he could be given a chance to compete for the job during spring training. (Rotowire)

Manager Bob Melvin said Thursday that he expects Chad Qualls to close for the Diamondbacks next season. “I don’t see why (he) shouldn’t,” Melvin said. “We have some quality arms and we feel like any of these guys could close and we’ve had to rotate it around this year. But based on what he’s accomplished, especially here as of late, I don’t see why he wouldn’t be considered the favorite going into spring training next year.” Qualls is 4-for-4 in save opportunities and hasn’t allowed an earned run since he stole the job from Brandon Lyon. (Rotoworld)

With Chad Qualls apparently again unavailable, Tony Pena picked up his third save Wednesday against the Giants. The Diamondbacks had Doug Slaten start the ninth in a 7-3 game, but he walked both hitters he faced. Pena entered then and immediately allowed an RBI triple, to make the score 7-5. However, he retired the next three batters to finish the game. Qualls needed Tuesday off after pitching both Sunday and Monday, but it was surprising that he wasn’t used tonight. He might be hurting. (Rotoworld)

Tony Pena (2-2) pitched a perfect eighth inning for the victory Monday and Chad Qualls came on in the ninth for his fourth save in 12 chances. Pena has taken over as the D-Backs’ primary setup man and could be a candidate to close if something happens to Qualls, who has taken over as the closer recently. Pena has a great arm and could be a candidate to close long term, too. (CBS Sports)

With Chad Qualls apparently unavailable, Tony Pena blew a save in the ninth and took a loss in the 10th against the Reds on Saturday. Well, the Diamondbacks did want him to learn from watching Brandon Lyon. Pena deserved better in the ninth tonight. The inning started with an infield single, and after a second single advance the runner to third, the tying run scored when Miguel Montero couldn’t hold on to Justin Upton’s throw home on Corey Patterson’s fly to right. It was ruled an unearned run. Pena later gave up a walk and a go-ahead double in the 10th. (Rotoworld)

Tony Pena has made a mechanical adjustment with his legs that is contributing towards his recent turnaround, the Arizona Republic reports. He’s softening his leg when he lands in his delivery, which has returned the break on his slider during a recent stretch of 4.2 innings where he’s struck out seven. Arizona manager Bob Melvin said that the recent results have helped Pena’s confidence, which bodes very well for the D-Backs with Brandon Lyon struggling. As long as Jon Rauch is in the picture, Pena seems to be stuck in a set-up role, but he’ll be considered for ninth-inning work if both Lyon and Rauch are struggling. (Rotowire)

Working with a four-run lead in a non-save situation Tuesday against the Padres, Brandon Lyon nearly blew the game. He recorded only one out, allowing three runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout. Tony Pena recorded the final two outs in the inning for his second save. Lyon wouldn’t be the first closer to struggle in a non-save situation, but he has a shorter leash than most with Jon Rauch on the roster. His ERA rose to 4.60 with the performance, so consider him nothing more than a No. 2 Fantasy closer. (CBS Sports)

Tony Pena gave up a run on two hits while working the eighth inning in Tuesday night’s win over the Giants. Over his last five appearances, Pena has now allowed seven earned runs on nine hits, while watching his season ERA balloon up to 6.75. The D-Backs still have him working the eighth inning, which is a pretty good indication that he’d get the nod if anything were to happen to Brandon Lyon, but with Lyon pitching well right now, Pena is simply good insurance for Lyon owners to stash away in most formats. (Rotowire)

Tony Pena has four strikeouts, two holds and he has yet to allow an earned run in all four one-inning appearances this season. Pena will once again rank among the top relievers in holds, and he could see some saves chances if Brandon Lyon goes down with injury. Take a flier on him in deeper formats, particularly NL-only Rotisserie leagues. (CBS Sports)

Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin gave Brandon Lyon, who has blown two save opportunities, a vote of confidence on Monday. “A couple of outings isn’t going to take away from the fact that this is a guy we expect to pitch the ninth inning for us. That’s the way it remains right now,” Melvin said. Both Melvin and GM Josh Byrnes cited the fact that Lyon is an established shut-down reliever and they feel that he’ll be able to right the ship sooner rather than later. Tony Pena and Chad Qualls are waiting in the wings if Lyon is unable to pull it together, and Pena remains one of the best investments for long-term saves in the NL. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Brandon Lyon blew his second save of the season on Sunday by allowing a solo homer to the Rockies ‘ Matt Holliday in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Lyon had an awful spring and already blew a save and took a loss by giving up three runs to the Reds earlier in the week. He’s not going to have much of a leash with the more talented Tony Pena in a setup capacity, so he needs to turn things around quickly. That the Diamondbacks ended up winning the game anyway might buy him a little more time. Lyon has one save in three opportunities and an ERA of 12.00. Lyon can’t afford many slip ups as Tony Pena and Chad Qualls, who got the save Sunday, wait in the wings. Think of him as a low-end No. 2 RP in Fantasy. (RotoWorld, CBS Sports)

Also, Seamless Baseball weighs in on “The Closer Continuum: Brandon Lyon’s Job Security”

One week has passed, and this much we know: Brandon Lyon sucks. Sound the alarms. Will it be Chad Qualls? Will it be Tony Pena? I’d say 75% Pena, 25% Qualls, as the Diamondbacks groomed Pena as a closer in the minors and he has been the setup man for the better part of a year. Still, Qualls is worth speculating on.

Let’s not forget, however, that the Diamondbacks prevailed yesterday despite Lyon’s blown save, which softens the blow a bit, and that he gave up a solo home run to Matt Holliday, who has been known to strike the baseball with some authority.

In sum, I think Lyon still has rope. I’d actually recommend throwing an offer the Lyon owner’s way, especially if you have Pena. Offer somebody like Joe Crede and see what happens - it’s not like they can legitimately be offended at this point. It’s Brandon Lyon.

FAAB Acquisition:

• Blake DeWitt, 3B, Los Angeles ($0 bid)

Up:

• 3B Blake DeWitt to Utility
• C Javier Valentin
• P Carlos Villanueva
• P Zach Duke
• P Jason Marquis

Down:

• U Scott Hatteberg
• P Peter Moylan
• P Tony Pena
• P Jon Lieber

Cut:

• 2B Emilio Bonifacio

From Baseball Prospectus’s Kevin Goldstein yesterday:

Don’t Believe The Hype: What does Emilio Bonifacio offer other than game-changing speed and good glovework at second? Not a whole heckuva lot. He needs to develop a more patient approach, or he’s going to hit towards the bottom of a lineup.

Emilio, we hardly knew you.