Fantasy Baseball Closer Report
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*Gagne blew another save Saturday night. Manager Ned Yost hasn't
made a decision yet, but Gagne has, "I don't deserve that
ninth inning right now." He gave up two ninth-inning runs
that allowed St. Louis to pull out a 5-3 victory at Miller Park.
Salmon Torres or David Riske are the best bets to close, but it
will likely be committee and temporary.
* Jason Isringhausen blew his 5th save of the year.
The writing is on the wall and Izzy will not be the closer the
next time the Cardinals take the field. You probably should keep
him though, he will likely be moved to a set-up role and have
a chance to get his job back. Once again, Ryan Franklin is the
logical choice to be a temporary closer. They have yet to bring
up AAA closer Chris Perez who has 8 saves and a 2.16 ERA. He,
unlike Franklin, is closer material.
* Jason Isringhausen blew his 4th save of the year
to the Rockies on Wednesday night in Colorado.
The veteran has a little job security, but if he continues to
blow saves he will be replaced. Ryan Franklin isn't exactly closer
material, but he is likely next in line.
* Eric Gagne picked up back-to-back quality saves and
now has 6 total. He has shut the door for Riske to be closer for
now.
* Eric Gagne picked up a save last night, but gave
up a hit and a walk. Not that bad, but he has been very shaky
already in 2008. In addition, Gagne will go to the DL at some
time...probably. David Riske or Guillermo Mota would step up if
Gagne continues to fail. Riske had a good spring and the Brewers
like him. He is the a 65%-35% favorite over Mota.
* Houston Astro closer Jose Valverde has been shelled this season
evident by his 11.87 ERA. Veteran Doug Brocail picked up the save
last night. Houston will have to go down firing with Valverde
because there bullpen is weak. Brocail is an okay pick up if you
are in need for a save, but don't get too excited.
* Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said closer Joe Borowski will
miss two to four weeks. He was placed on the 15-day DL for his
strained triceps muscle. Rafael Betancourt has taken over. Keep
on eye on veteran Japanese closer Masa Kobayashi to take over
if Betancourt fails.
* J.J. Putz (ribcage) threw from 75 feet for about eight minutes
Thursday, April 10 He is still a week or 2 away from returning.
* Rafael Soriano will go to the 15-day DL with elbow tendonitis.
There is now word on a closer yet. Peter Moylan or Manny Acosta
are likley candidates. Moylan has the edge.
* Francisco Rodriguez may miss a few days with an injured ankle.
Angels hope that Rodriguez can throw this weekend, in the bullpen
or possibly even in a game.
* Arizona closer Brandon Lyon blows a save after giving up
a 3-run home run to Edwin Encarnacion in the Reds 6-5 win. He
did get the opening day save, striking out two and giving up
one run. Tony Pena got the hold in the 8th.
Fantasy Baseball 2008
Closer Rankings
1. Joe
Nathan - Twins - 2008 Preview:
He has been among the most consistent closers in fantasy baseball
over the last 4 seasons nailing an average of 40 saves over that
time and posting ERA's under 2.00 in 3 of those seasons. In addition,
he has one of the most dominating k-ratios over those years. That
ratio did fall in '07 to a still-solid 9.73 strikeouts per 9 innings
after a dominating 12.56 in 2007.
2007 Statistics:
37 SV's - 4-2 - 1.88 ERA - 77 K's - 72 IP.
2008 Projection:
40 SV's - 6-2 - 1.97 ERA - 85 K's - 71 IP.
Backup: Pat Neshek - Juan Rincon
He is back from an ankle injury and looking pretty good and his
throwing hard.
2007 Statistics:
40 SV's - 5-2 - 2.81 ERA - 90 K's - 67 IP.
2008 Projection:
45 SV's - 4-2 - 2.34 ERA - 96 K's - 70 IP.
Backup: Scot Shields - Justin Speir
He could be the best closer in baseball, but he seems to get an
injury at some point of the season, though never serious, but
it is enough to cost him in the rankings. The good news is Papelbon
followed up on his amazing 2006 debut, when he had an unheard
of 0.92 ERA, with a 1.85 ERA in 2007 and posted an improved and
outstanding 13.01 k-ratio.
2007 Statistics:
37 SV's - 1-3 - 1.85 ERA - 84 K's - 58.1 IP.
2008 Projection: 39
SV's - 2-2 - 1.88 ERA - 89 K's - 66 IP.
Backup: Hideki Okajima
4. Billy
Wagner - Mets - 2008 Preview:
Just like the above closers Wagner gives you consistency. You
will not need to worry about him losing his job at some point.
In addition, he plays for a winner and should get plenty of save
opportunities. His only drawbacks are age and injury. He is likely
to miss some save chances because of this and age has had some
effect on his a game seeing his ERA, saves and k-ratio slip each
of the last 3 years. At 36, Wagner should have a few excellent
years still in the tank.
2007 Statistics:
34 SV's - 2-2 - 2.63 ERA - 80 K's - 68.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
35 SV's - 3-2 - 2.71 ERA - 79 K's - 68 IP.
Backup: Aaron Heilman - Joe Smith
5. J.J.
Putz - Mariners - 2008 Update:
He has returned from the injury and is looking strong.
2007 Statistics:
40 SV's - 6-1 - 1.38 ERA - 82 K's - 71.2 IP.
2008 Projection: 42
SV's - 4-2 - 2.04 ERA - 81 K's - 69 IP.
Backup: Mike Lowe - Now Closing
His story is very similar to that of Valverde, inconsistent, had
a great year and moved to a new team. If Cordero can remain consistent
and keep hi s confidence he should nail down 40 to 45 saves with
the Reds, but that is an if, especially with Cordero playing in
a home run park like Great American Ball Park.
2007 Statistics:
44 SV's - 0-4 - 2.98 ERA - 86 K's - 63.1 IP.
2008 Projection: 38
SV's - 2-5 - 3.14 ERA - 84 K's - 64 IP.
Backup: David Weathers
7. Bobby
Jenks - White Sox - 2008 Preview:
He proved himself in 2007 after a solid 2006 with 40 more saves
and a much improved 2.77 ERA (down from 4.00 in '06). His k-ratio
took a hit in '07, but that is -1.33 ERA is more than a fair trade.
There is no reason not to expect another 40 saves out of Jenks
in 2008.
2007 Statistics:
40 SV's - 3-5 - 2.77 ERA - 56 K's - 65 IP.
2008 Projection: 40
SV's - 2-3 - 2.95 ERA - 65 K's - 69 IP.
Backup: Octavio Dotel
8. Mariano
Rivera - Yankees - 2008 Preview:
The veteran has lost a lot of his magic. His stats have fallen
over the last few years, especially his save totals (53, 43, 34,
30) as well as posting his highest ERA (3.15) as a closer. With
that said, he is still a good closer and still plays for a winner
in the Yankees. If he is healthy he should rebound and improved
his stats a notch from his sub par 2008 performance.
2007 Statistics:
30 SV's - 3-4 - 3.15 ERA - 74 K's - 71.1 IP.
2008 Projection: 36
SV's - 3-3 - 2.64 ERA - 73 K's - 68 IP.
Backup: LaTroy Hawkins - Kyle Farnsworth
9. Takashi
Saito - Dodgers - 2008 Preview:
He proved that 2006 was not a fluke. He is the real deal and he
plays for one of the best teams to close for in the major leagues.
In 2007 he posted an amazing 1.40 ERA and he finished the season
strong nailing 17 consecutive saves. Saito is veteran at 38, so
you know what you are getting, a sure-thing closing stud.
2007 Statistics:
39 SV's - 2-1 - 1.40 ERA - 78 K's - 64.1 IP.
2008 Projection: 41
SV's - 4-2 - 1.74 ERA - 81 K's - 69 IP.
Backup: Jonathan Broxton
10. Trevor
Hoffman - Padres - 2008 Preview:
The all-time save leader continues to be consistent and solid. He
has lost his dominance and thus has seen his ERA go up and his k-ratio
go way down. Nevertheless, he plays for a winning team, in a pitchers
park and should be good for another 40 saves in '08.
2007 Statistics:
42 SV's - 4-5 - 2.98 ERA - 44 K's - 57.1 IP.
2008 Projection: 40
SV's - 3-3 - 3.05 ERA - 43 K's - 58 IP.
Backup: Heath Bell
11. José
Valverde - Astros - 2008 Preview:
He lead the major leagues with 47 saves and finished as one of the
top closers in fantasy baseball. The problem is his inconsistent
past record. In 2006 he bombed when he posted a 5.84 ERA and lost
his closer's job. Now he has moved to the Houston Astros. The last
thing you want is a change after we just began to regain confidence
in him again. In the end, he proved himself in 2007 and he is worth
a chance in 2008.
2007 Statistics:
47 SV's - 1-4 - 2.66 ERA - 78 K's - 64.1 IP.
2008 Projection: 42
SV's - 2-3 - 3.09 ERA - 85 K's - 72 IP.
Backup: Doug Brocail
12. B.J.
Ryan - Blue Jays - 2008 Preview:
He had a season ending elbow injury, but he is expected to be
ready for training camp. If not for the injury Ryan could be fighting
for the preseason #1 spot, but with an elbow injury does cast some
doubt on his immediate future and thus he carries some risk. Before
the injury he posted 36 saves and a 2.43 ERA in '05 & 38 saves
with 1.37 ERA in '06. His k-ratio for the 2 years was an amazing
11.77.
2007 Statistics:
3 SV's - 0-2 - 12.46 ERA - 3 K's - 4.1 IP.
2008 Projection: 36
SV's - 2-3 - 2.58 ERA - 83 K's - 70 IP.
Backup: Jeremy Accardo
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