Fantasy Man's 2008 Closer Report
Team by Team - Updated Weekly
Last Updated: August 14th, 2008
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Baltimore: George Sherrill has been great for the Orioles all season but struggling as of late. For now, Sherrill is a solid #2 closer in mixed leagues.
Boston: Jon Papelbon is the obvious closer. Justin Masterson is your listed set up man and potential save vulture. Hideki Okajima shouldn't be counted on.
Chicago: Bobby Jenks is the unquestioned closer and should make a bid at 40+ in 2008. He has an occasional mishap giving up a run or two but he can blow guys away while learning to keep his WHIP down. Octavio Dotel seems to be the primary set up man and save vulture.
Cleveland: Closer-by-Committee with Rafael Perez and Mashide Kobayashi. If you asked me, I'd say Perez get more of the opportunities from here on out as he has been most dominant of anyone on that staff. Don't be surprised if Rafael Betancourt gets hot and takes another shot at it as well.
Detroit: Todd Jones is out, Fernando Rodney is in! Joel Zumaya lurks in the back ground but is on the DL again.
Kansas City: Joakim Soria has been as good as advertised so far this season but the Royals stink. The Mexicutioner has entrenched himself as a top 10 closer.
Los Angeles: Francisco Rodriguez is a RockStar! Scot Shields is the primary set-up man and vultures saves when he needs to. Rodriguez is a worker but Shields is the top dog for holds, ERA, WHIP & K's as a reliever. Dark horse to close is Jose Arredondo who could eventually take K-Rod's spot if he decides to test the free agent market.
Minnesosta: Joe Nathan is obviously as solid as they come and is off to a good start. Jesse Crain is currently the back up/setup role candidate as Pat Neshek is on the DL.
New York: Mariano Rivera has been fantastic so far this season. Dark Horse for holds/saves in a sticky situation is Jose Veras or even DeMaso Marte.
Oakland: Huston Street has been struggling mightily and it looks as if Brad Zeigler may get some chances to close as Street tries to straighten himself out!
Seattle: J.J. Putz and Brandon Morrow will most likely share the closer duties. Stash Morrow as he is on the DL but has some real talent. Putz has been super shaky this year.
Tampa Bay: Troy Percival is back from the DL. Grant Balfour is the set up and emergency closer. The Dark Horse potential is 6'9" monster Jeff Neimann if they can make room for him or the Rays may even call up Prospect David Price to help in the bullpen. Just someone to keep an eye on or even stash on your bench.
Texas: C.J. Wilson is now out for the rest of the season with an injury! Eddie Guardado takes over as closer. He doesn't get many K's but he should be decent. Joaquin Benoit and Frank Francisco are dark horses to close if Guardado falters.
Toronto: B.J. Ryan is solid. Scott Downs is the #2 with Jeremy Accardo on the DL.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Arizona: Brandon Lyon is your closer but the acquisition of Jon Rauch has some Lyon owners worried. I think Lyon holds onto the job but Rauch is a good gut to have stashed just in case.
Atlanta: What did I tell you about Gonzalez! Looks like Gonzalez is the permanent closer! I'd say this lasts all year assuming these guys stay healthy. It just seems like Rafael Soriano is a life-long set up man!
Chicago: Kerry Wood back, Marmol in set up role!.
Cincinnati: Francisco Cordero is entrenched as the primary closer and he's been decent, but Cincinnati overall has struggled. A dark horse to close.... 26 yrs. old, 6'5", 230lb, Jared Burton, someone to keep an eye on .
Colorado: Brian Fuentes is the closer but trade talks linger. Taylor Bucholz is the primary setup man and would take over if Fuentes is traded. Keep an eye on Bulcholz, he'll vulture a few saves and could take over if Fuentes stumbles. Bucholz a good guy to stash.
Florida: Kevin Gregg is currently listed as closer and I have to assume he'll stay there for now as he's been decent. Joe Nelson, Matt Lindstrom and Renyel Pinto could be in the mix as well.
Houston: Jose Valverde is entrenched even though he's struggled a bit!
Los Angeles: Takashi Saito is on the DL with arm problems and could be out the rest of the year, so HELLO Jonathon Broxton! Simple as this.....Broxton is a Joba/Papelbon type of pitcher, so good luck with that!
Milwaukee: Saloman Torres is now the closer in Milwaukee. We all know he is an innings eater in the bullpen and has done a decent job, but he's certainly not the answer. Gagne is out, Turnbow is gone, and Riske can't get it done. Next in line is Guillermo Mota and he's just as bad! A Dark Horse candidate mentioned would be Dave Bush, who was a closer in college. He's been "half" terrible as a starter so maybe this could be his calling if and when Torres craps the bed.
New York: Billy Wagner is entrenched but is on the DL with forearm soreness. As far as the setup role, it will most likely will remain with Duaner Sanchez or Aaon Heilman. The Mets bullpen is a laughingstock so I wouldn't trust anyone but Wagner, and even him I'd be a bit leary. If available, grab and stash prospect Eddie Kunz who saved 27 games in Double A Binghamton this season and has been called up to take the roster spot of Wagner while he's out.
Philadelphia: Brad Lidge is the Philly closer and has been fantastic but he's been out recently with a stiff right shoulder. Ryan Madson seems to be the guy getting the nod in Lidge's place.
Pittsburgh: Matt Capps on the DL, DeMaso Marte gone to the Yankees, and there really nothing left but scraps. Looks like John Grabow gets the nod but not sure how effective he can be. Stay away from this situation for now. Tyler Yates is poop-on-a-stick fantasy wise.
San Diego: Trevor Hoffman has been shaky but but he's still valuable and will rack up saves! Padres GM Kevin Towers has said that he sees Heath Bell as the heir apparent to Hoffman's throne.
San Francisco: Brian Wilson has been pretty decent, shaky at times, stellar at other times. Surprisingly the Giants have been getting Wilson opportunities thanks to great pitching from everyone but Barry Zito. Giants pitchers will continue pitching well, so Wilson should continue to rack up saves at a National League leading pace.
St. Louis: Jason Isringhausen is back in the mix with Ryan Franklin pitching poorly. However, with Izzy being a less than stellar option, the Cards could opt to make Adam Wainwright the closer when he returns from the DL. Chris Perez has been getting a few saves as of late as well!
Washington: Joel Hanrahan? Yuck. Chad Cordero is out for the season!
Mike Kuchera
The Fantasy Man
Fantasy Baseball Express
www.TheFantasyMan.com
Member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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11 comments:
Thanks! The most comprehensive closer wrap-up I've seen this season. (Maybe even last season too.) :-)
Thanks man! This was the first one I posted, so as the season progresses it will get better and cleaner!
FM
RE: Reds situation. Jared Burton pitched pretty good as the 8th inning guy for them at the end of last year. YOu didn't mention him and I haven't been able to find anything on other sites that mention Burton. Where do you think he falls on the Red's depth chart?
I think as of right now Burton is at least behind Bray, Coffey and Weathers on the depth chart. But thatnks for pointing him out because he is an interesting character. I will say this, he is a dark horse to close and is the type of player that could help the Reds in the 9th. Ponder some of this....
2007 ML Stats
4-2, 2.51ERA, 1.163WHIP, 36K, 22BB in 42IP
2007 AAA Stats
0-1, 0.64ERA, 1.07WHIP, 13K, 4BB, 11H, 1ER in 14IP
These stats show a great WHIP for a young reliever who is only 26, not to mention he is 6'5", 230lb. He's a big guy who seems like he can harness his stuff. Seems like he can do a K per inning and the Reds are in need of a quality young arm to take that closer role away from Weathers. If Burton the one, we shall see.
Thanks for mentioning him. I totally breezed right over Burton as I updated this report.
thanks for the follow up on Burton. i stumbled on him while scouring the FA waiver wire looking for HOLDS. needless to say i was pleased with his numbers.
Tyler Walker 1 1/2 years from surgury possible SF closer
Bob McCrory great AFL, possible mid yr Balt closer
yeah i've seen Bob McCrory's name here and there. he has looked pretty good AFL. O's pen is in bad shape so he's seems like a legit sleeper...
RE: Tigers closer...
Jose Capellan was traded to Colorado, so he most definitely is NOT a dark horse for the Tigers' closer if Todd Jones falters. ;-)
Fernando Rodney would almost certainly take over as closer if Jones was hurt or otherwise fell apart. When Jones was hurt for a short time in 2006, Rodney closed and likely would again until Zumaya returns.
Thanks for the note buddy! Its much appreciated. Actually, I didn't realize I still had Capellan listed for Detroit since he was traded to Colorado...but thanks for the note. Detroit is now updated!
FM
Your Kerry Wood assessment makes no sense. He could be an injury risk, but so far he's been fantastic. He's tied for the lead in NL saves.
What part doesn't make sense?? I believe Marmol will be the closer by season's end...and that's based on Wood's injury risk. I don't trust Wood. He was shaky a bit in the first two months...I mean how many saves did he blow? He's been solid in June so far, I'll give you that. But anyone who thinks Kerry Wood will last all year is crazy, thus my recommendation to handcuff Wood with Marmol. And hey, if Wood lasts all year and keeps up his recent success, then great for him....but I just can't see the the injury but not biting Wood as usual at some point this season!.
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