Arizona Diamondbacks
Closer: Brandon Lyon
Status: Shaky
Notes: Lyon has blown several leads this year and his job could be in jeopardy should he blow anymore. Tony Pena is waiting in the wings and more than capable. For now, he stays, but be weary.
Next In Line: Tony Pena, Jeff Salazar, Chad Qualls
Atlanta Braves
Closer: Rafael Soriano
Status: DL
Notes: Soriano has performed well so far this year and certainly has all the tools to be a top closer. But, he’s found his way onto the DL…again. This time with elbow tendonitis and who knows how long it wil affect him. Peter Moylan is hurt leaving the closer by committee job open to Manny Acosta and Will Ohman or whoever else can step-up to the plate. Depending on how they pitch in the ninth inning role and the amount of time that Soriano could miss, the full-time closers job may be up for grabs.
Next In Line: Peter Moylan, Manny Acosta, Will Ohman
Baltimore Orioles
Closer: George Sherrill
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: Sherrill has been flat-out dominant so far for the surprising Orioles. He’s already saved 6 games and has arguably been the best closer in fantasy baseball. The Orioles are playing a bit over their heads right now so don’t expect Sherrill to keep up the pace on saves. He should finish the season with around 35 saves and is a solid #1 closer in all formats.
Next In Line: Chad Bradford, Jamie Walker
Boston Red Sox
Closer: Jonathan Papelbon
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: Papelbon hasn't allowed an earned run in his last five outings and has struck out eight batters in the process. He is looking like his dominant self and is still the number one closer in fantasy baseball.
Next In Line: Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen
Chicago Cubs
Closer: Kerry Wood
Status: Steady…for now
Notes: After struggling out of the gate, Wood has gone on to save 3 out of his last four opportunities only blowing a 1-run lead against Pittsburgh on 4/9. He’s probably several poor outings or an injury away from losing his job. Carlos Marmol is certainly hot on his coat tails and I’d expect him to win the job before long.
Next In Line: Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry
Chicago White Sox
Closer: Bobby Jenks
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: Jenks has quietly been one of the top closers in fantasy baseball the last several years and he’s gotten off to his best start yet. The upstart White Sox are in first place, which has provided Jenks with ample opportunities to pick-up saves. He’s a perfect 6 for 6 and hasn’t allowed an earned run yet.
Next In Line: Octavio Dotel, Scott Linebrink
Cincinnati Reds
Closer: Francisco Cordero
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: He’s only had two save chances this year and he’s converted them both. Cordero sports a 1.50 ERA and has posted a K/INN. The Reds have a good young ball club and figure to provide Cordero with many more save opportunities. Don’t worry about the slow start…the saves will come.
Next In Line: David Weathers, Jared Burton
Cleveland Indians
Closer: Rafael Betancourt
Status: Newly appointed
Notes: With Joe Borowski on the DL, Betancourt finally gets his chance to shine as a closer. The veteran middle reliever was dominant last year pitching 79.1 INN with a 1.49 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP. If he even comes close to those numbers in 2008, he will never relinquish the closers role and will be a solid #1 closer in all formats.
Next In Line: Rafael Perez, Masahide Kobayashi
Colorado Rockies
Closer: Manny Corpas
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: Corpas has been hot and cold so far in 2008. He has yet to allow an ER in any of his 3 save situations, but has yielded 4 ER in mop up duty. The bottom line is he gets the job done when he needs too. Colorado has come out of the gates slow and will surely turn it around providing the youngster plenty of save chances throughout the year.
Next In Line: Brian Fuentes, Taylor Buchholz
Detroit Tigers
Closer: Todd Jones
Status: Steady
Notes: It feels like ‘OL Jonesy has been closing games since I was in high school. Oh wait…he was! What else can you say about Jones other than he’s a shoe in for another 35-40 saves in 2008 and he plays for a team with one of the best lineups in fantasy baseball. He’s once again a solid source for saves in all leagues, especially with no Joel Zumaya breathing down his neck.
Next In Line: Aquilino Lopez, Jason Grilli
Florida Marlins
Closer: Kevin Gregg
Status: Steady…for now
Notes: After a rough start to the season, Gregg has buckled down with three straight scoreless appearances. He doesn’t have great stuff and he’s certainly a candidate for trade by midseason, but until then the job is his to lose.
Next In Line: Matt Lindstrom, Justin Miller
Houston Astros
Closer: Jose Valverde
Status: Shaky
Notes: I’ve never been a big Valverde fan even with him leading the NL in saves last season. His control is erratic and he doesn’t have great stuff. Now with his latest struggles in Houston, he’s holding onto the closers role by the skin of his teeth. The only reason he hasn’t been replaced yet is because the Astros gave up Michael Bourn to get him and are trying to save face. He’s probably only 1 or 2 bad outings away from losing his job.
Next In Line: Doug Brocail, Oscar Villarreal, Geoff Geary
Kansas City Royals
Closer: Joakim Soria
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: Easily one of the best young closers in the game right now.
His stat line so far:
INN W L S K BBI ERA WHIP
7.0 0 0 5 10 0 0.00 0.29
Next In Line: Yasuhiko Yabuta, Ramon Ramirez
Los Angeles Angels
Closer: Francisco Rodriguez
Status: Steady…for now
Notes: He’s a perfect 3 for 3 in save opps since returning from his ankle injury. However, he’s also posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP since returning, which is not very K Rod like. He’s pitching for a contract and will surely go for as long as his ankles and whatever else might be bothering him holds up.
Next In Line: Scott Shields, Justin Speier
Los Angeles Dodgers
Closer: Takashi Saito
Status: Steady
Notes: Other than the HR he surrendered to Nate McClouth, Saito hadn’t allowed an earned run all season. Despite the fact he only has one save so far, the Dodgers are a good ball club and will begin providing Saito with save chances in the very near future. He’s a nice buy low candidate.
Next In Line: Jonathan Broxton, Scott Proctor
Milwaukee Brewers
Closer: Eric Gagne
Status: Steady…for now
Notes: He bombed out of the gate, turned it around, and now I’m sure that he’ll bomb again. However, as long as he doesn’t stink it up too many times in a row he’ll be able to keep his job. The rest of the pen just hasn’t been any better.
Next In Line: David Riske, Salomon Torres, Derrick Turnbow
Minnesota Twins
Closer: Joe Nathan
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: Hasn’t allowed a run yet and has saved all five opportunities. He’s his usual self and a solid #1 closer in all formats.
Next In Line: Pat Neshek, Matt Guerrier
New York Mets
Closer: Billy Wagner
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: Wagner hasn’t had many save chances, but he’s converted the two he’s had in impressive fashion. He’s a dominant closer playing for a winning ball club and is a solid #1 closer in all formats.
Next In Line: Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez, Joe Smith
New York Yankees
Closer: Mariano Rivera
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: The guy is like the Energizer Bunny. He’s been his usual dominant self and will only lose this job if he gets injured. But do make sure you own Joba just in case he goes down.
Next In Line: Joba Chamberlain, Latroy Hawkins
Oakland A’s
Closer: Huston Street
Status: Steady…for now
Notes: I’m still not sold on Street ever returning to his 2006 form. I think he’ll eventually lose the job to injury, trade or poor performance and it’ll probably happen before the All Star break. Until then, he’s worth owning in all leagues that award saves. Bit beware, Joey Devine is breathing down his neck.
Next In Line: Joey Devine, Alan Embree
Philadelphia Phillies
Closer: Brad Lidge
Status: Steady
Notes: Don’t look now but Brad Lidge is on fire. He’s yet to allow an earned run in five outings and has only given up one hit over that span. He's pitched well and has two saves in two save chances. Think of him as a No. 2 closer in Fantasy play.
Next In Line: Tom Gordon, Ryan Madso
Pittsburgh Pirates
Closer: Matt Capps
Status: Steady
Notes: He was a great sleeper for saves coming into the year and you can see why. He opened the year by blowing a save and allowing three runs in 2/3 of an inning against the Braves, but has since been dominant. The Pirates don’t figure to get him a ton of save chances so consider him a #2 closer in all leagues.
Next In Line: Damaso Marte, Tyler Yates
San Diego Padres
Closer: Trevor Hoffman
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: So he’s stumbled a bit out of the gate. So what. He’s the all-time saves leader, he’s healthy and should be owned in all leagues as a #1 closer. Nuff said.
Next In Line: Heath Bell, Cla Meredith
San Francisco Giants
Closer: Brian Wilson
Status: Steady
Notes: He’s been nothing spectacular but he’s done enough to keep the job for a while longer and lengthen the leash. He doesn’t strike out a ton of batters and plays for arguably the worst team in baseball. He’s a #3 closer in mixed leagues and a #2 in NL Only.
Next In Line: Brad Hennessy, Vinnie Chulk
Seattle Mariners
Closer: J.J. Putz
Status: DL
Notes: Putz is scheduled to pitch a simulated game Saturday and if all goes well begin a rehab assignment next week. Until he returns, Mark Lowe Rowland-Smith will continue closing in Putz’s abscence. Neither of them are worth owning in mixed leagues.
Next In Line: Mark Lowe, Ryan Rowland-Smith
St. Louis Cardinals
Closer: Jason Isringhausen
Status: Rock Steady
Notes: Isringhausen Leads the NL in saves but has recently faltered allowing 2 ER in each of his last two appearances. Despite his struggles, he is not in jeopardy of losing his job, and as long as he can stay healthy, he remains a solid #1 closer in all formats. Especially while the Cardinals are hot.
Next In Line: Ryan Franklin, Randy Flores
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Closer: Troy Percival
Status: Steady
Notes: Dude…how old is this guy? Percival has yet to allow a run, but has also recorded just one save. The saves will probably come in time for the 38-year-old, but his age makes him an injury risk and he is no more than a #3 closer in mixed leagues.
Next In Line: Al Reyes, Dan Wheeler
Texas Rangers
Closer: C.J. Wilson
Status: Steady
Notes: I wasn’t sure what to expect from Wilson heading into the year, but has definitely exceeded expectations and no one could have seen him being this dominant of a closer. He’s yet to allow a run in eight outings and has surrendered just two hits. While he is hot, he might as well be considered a #2 closer in mixed leagues and a #1 in AL Only.
Next In Line: Joaquin Benoit, Jamey Wright
Toronto Blue Jays
Closer: B.J. Ryan
Status: Steady
Notes: There’s no debating that when he’s healthy he’s one of the top closers I the league. He’ll post a low ERA, low WHIP and get ou a lot of K’s. Whether or not his elbow will hold-up is still in question. But appears that he’ back and healthy.
Next In Line: Jeremy Accardo, Scott Downs
Washington Nationals
Closer: Jon Rauch
Status: Shaky
Notes: The 2008 presidential race isn’t the only thing up for grabs in Washington these days. Chad Cordero was removed from the closers’ role yesterday and Manager Manny Acta has named Rauch as the team’s closer. The 6’11 right-hander has been just as unreliable as Cordero this year and is no lock to keep his new job as the team’s closer. Continue to monitor the situation as the Nationals look for someone to step-up and claim the job.
Next In Line: Chad Cordero, Luis Ayala