A Closer Look at Closers
Written by B-Dub, Friday April 09 2010
Fantasy baseball players are always looking for closers, so I thought I would take a look at some of the guys who are currently closing games and some guys who might just be taking their jobs in the future. I'll even throw in some closers who are sure to get traded and a few other guys of interest just because.
Guys Already on the Hot Seat
Leo Nunez (Florida Marlins)
Nunez does not have closer stuff. He doesn't strike out a ton of guys (7.9 K/9), he walks too many (3.5 BB/9) and gives up too many home runs (1.7 HR/9). He's already walking too many again this season, so he might not hold onto the job. Tim Wood actually got a save on Wednesday night, but Dan Meyer would probably be the guy to grab if Nunez loses his job.
Matt Capps (Washington Nationals)
I'm not sure how this guy even got a job as a closer. I know it's only with the stinking Nationals, but he had a 5.80 ERA last season. The Nationals are grooming 2009 No. 10 overall pick Drew Storen for the closer role, but he might not be ready until 2011. Brian Bruney might get a shot here if Capps falters.
Mike Gonzalez (Baltimore Orioles)
He blew a save opportunity on Opening Day, then loaded the bases on Thursday before escaping the jam. He has allowed seven baserunners in 1.1 innings this season. His $12 million contract will allow him to keep the job for a while, but if he continues to struggle keep and eye on Jim Johnson.
Frank Francisco (Texas Rangers)
I have "Double F" on one of my teams and his performance on Thursday had me screaming a different "F-word". Francisco has increased his Ks, while decreasing his walks the last few years, but he only has 30 career saves and he only threw 49 innings in 2009 while battling shoulder injuries. (Note: owners in MY leagues can skip down to the next name now). Neftali Feliz has some nice metrics; 11.3 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9, so he may get a shot this season if Francisco falters.
Guys Who Might Get Traded
Octavio Dotel (Pittsburgh Pirates)
He has a career 11.0 K/9, so he's got the stuff to be a closer. If he proves that he's healthy this year he'll get traded from the small-market Pirates to a contender. The problem for his fantasy owners (like me) is that he will most likely get traded to a team with an established closer, where he will become the set-up man.
Heath Bell (San Diego Padres)
Bell proved himself to be a top-notch closer last season, but he's a luxury a bad team like the Padres can't afford. He is sure to be traded at the deadline, but he should go someone and retain the closer role. Mike Adams looks to be the replacement when Bell gets traded.
Jonathan Papelbon (Boston Red Sox)
Yes, I know this is far-fetched, but hear me out. Paps is a complete Douchebag with a bad attitude and they have Dan Bard ready to take over. You never know.
Other Guys
Jason Frasor (Toronto Blue Jays)
Frasor won the job with a strong spring, but he has Scott Downs and Kevin Gregg breathing down his neck. Add in the fact that the Jays are not expected to be contenders in the stacked AL East and you can expect one or two of these guys to be traded to a contender as middle relief help.
Billy Wagner (Atlanta Braves)
Wagner seems to be all the way back from reconstructive elbow surgery before last season with five strikeouts in only two innings this season.
Billy Wagner (Atlanta Braves)
Wagner seems to be all the way back from reconstructive elbow surgery before last season with five strikeouts in only two innings this season.
Ryan Franklin (St. Louis Cardinals)
The poster child for getting the job done without the stats to back it up. The sabermetrics crowd must hate Franklin. He shouldn't be good, yet he saved 30 games with a 1.92 ERA in 2009. Jason Motte and Kyle McClellen are waiting for Franklin to falter, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Franklin Morales (Colorado Rockies)
The injury to Huston Street gave him this opportunity and he's running with it. And who knows if or when Street will be back from his shoulder problems. If you're the gambling type you could trade for one of them and keep your fingers crossed.
Kerry Wood (Cleveland Indians)
Chris Perez is the closer, but Wood is due back in May. Of course, since Wood has been on the DL 13 times in 12 seasons, I wouldn't drop Perez when Wood comes back. Even if Wood comes back as the closer and stays healthy, the team is sure to trade him to a contender. Don't get sucked in by the name value. Wood would only be a short-term desperation source of saves this season while he destroys your ERA and WHIP categories. Let someone else make that mistake.
Brad Lidge (Philadelphia Phillies)
Lidge just got a cortisone shot in his surgically repaired elbow and is only throwing bullpen sessions right now. He may come back and become a legitimate closer in mid to late May, but there are no guarantees anymore. Until then Ryan Madson is the closer for the Phillies and he converted his first save opportunity after struggling in the role last season. Madson is worth a roster spot even when Lidge returns.
Kerry Wood (Cleveland Indians)
Chris Perez is the closer, but Wood is due back in May. Of course, since Wood has been on the DL 13 times in 12 seasons, I wouldn't drop Perez when Wood comes back. Even if Wood comes back as the closer and stays healthy, the team is sure to trade him to a contender. Don't get sucked in by the name value. Wood would only be a short-term desperation source of saves this season while he destroys your ERA and WHIP categories. Let someone else make that mistake.
Brad Lidge (Philadelphia Phillies)
Lidge just got a cortisone shot in his surgically repaired elbow and is only throwing bullpen sessions right now. He may come back and become a legitimate closer in mid to late May, but there are no guarantees anymore. Until then Ryan Madson is the closer for the Phillies and he converted his first save opportunity after struggling in the role last season. Madson is worth a roster spot even when Lidge returns.
That's all for now.
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5 comments
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Damn I'm good. Two of my predictions have already come true.
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Ah, Kerri, as an Astros' fan, that hurts. We still hear the sound of that one coming off the bat. Lidge killed us after that--truly "lights out" but they were out for us when he hit the mound because no lead was safe and the party was over. Only a trade to Philly's could have set his mind right again and much to our chagrin, it did. Good article B-Dub.
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Considering Wagner already blew a 2 run save, I'm going to disagree that he looks "good so far." As for Lidge, he's done. Maybe Pujols can hit another 800ft homerun off him to prove it to you.
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Come on Kerri, Wagner is an even bigger Douchebag than Papelbon, but he looks good so far this year. And I think it's just wishful thinking on your part that Lidge won't be back dominating. It's not like his stats dropped off when he had to stop taking steroids like K-Rod on your Mets or anything. Lidge was just injured, not a cheater.
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I couldn't believe Francisco blew that pitching gem for Wilson and Feliz yesterday. Wagner is done, and I think Lidge is too. I don't disagree with you that Papelbon will be traded with the way Boston operates, plus the guy is a grade A douche.