And now we take a look at the team by team closer options for the National League. The American League report can be found here.
NL East
Philadelphia Phillies
Current closer-Brad Lidge
Waiting in the wings-Ryan Madson
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 70%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Lidge probably had one of the worst seasons a closer ever had in 2009 and managed to rebound in 2010 dominating the second half of the season after getting off to a slow start. The Phillies have arguably the best rotation in all of baseball making whoever closes for them an instant top ten option based on opportunities alone. The question is will the 2009 or late 2010 Brad Lidge show up. The numbers lean a little to the latter, but you never know. At least with Ligde that is.
Atlanta Braves
Current closer-Craig Kimbrel
Waiting in the wings - Jonny Venters
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 70%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Kimbrel is the closer of the future and has the stuff to back it up. In 20 innings last year for the Braves, Kimbrel posted an ERA of .44 whilst striking out 40. Kimbrel needs to limit the walks before he can be considered an elite option. The Braves will supply him with plenty of ops and Kimbrel has the makings of a high reward sleeper option that could be the difference for your team next season.
Florida Marlins
Current closer-Leo Nunez
Waiting in the wings-Clay Hensley
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 20%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Nunez was on a roll in 2010 and then August happened where he gave up at least 1 run in 7 out of 10 games. Clay Hensley stepped in and had a decent showing worthy enough to make him the team’s closer in 2011. However, Nunez has more raw potential and the Marlins appear set on giving the ball to Nunez in the 9th until he gives them a reason not to. The leash may be short, but I would reserve Nunez for the later rounds and would make sure to grab Hensley as the handcuff just to be safe.
New York Mets
Current closer-Francisco Rodriguez
Waiting in the wings-Manny Acosta
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 30%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Rodriguez was actually having a decent season before he decided to cut a promo on his father in law. K-Rod should enter the season as the team’s closer and could be a decent top 7 option. The Mets were clearly not happy with him and we’ll continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds during spring training.
Washington Nationals
Current closer-Drew Storen
Waiting in the wings-Tyler Clippard
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 20%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Storen has the stuff to be a top closer, but needs to tighten up his control before fantasy owners can use him with confidence. The Nationals are once again in a rebuilding year so save ops will be few and far between making Storen more of an attractive keeper league option.
NL Central
Cincinnati Reds
Current closer-Francisco Cordero
Waiting in the wings-Aroldis Chapman
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 80%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Cordero ended the year with 40 saves, but it was quite a roller coaster ride to get him there. Cordero opened the year 9 for 10 in save opps, but ended the year with a 6.75 ERA in September. Cordero will be the closer and should get plenty of ops as the Reds will contend again, however, he is 35 years old and the Reds could be looking to see what Chapman can do.
St. Louis Cardinals
Current closer-Ryan Franklin
Waiting in the wings-Kyle McClellan
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 40%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Franklin came out of nowhere and saved 38 games in 2009. Franklin managed to save only 29 games in 2010. Franklin is a notoriously streaky closer and seems to hit a wall at some point each season which is a concern. The Cardinals will give him plenty of save ops. Also grabbing Kyle McClellan as the handcuff would be a wise move just in case.
Milwaukee Brewers
Current closer-John Axford
Waiting in the wings-Takashi Saito
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 80%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Axford took over as the team’s primary closer at mid season and was 24-27 in save ops after the All Star break. Axford has tons of potential and the combination of his high strikeout potential and 35-40 saves make him a nice play heading into the 2011 season. The Brewers worked on revamping their rotation in the offseason which should lead to even more save opportunities.
Houston Astros
Current closer-Brandon Lyon
Waiting in the wings-Wilton Lopez
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 70%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Lyon posted 20 saves in 2010 filling in for an injured Matt Lindstrom. The 20 saves is quite impressive considering he was not the full-time closer. Lindstrom is now gone and Lyon enters the season as the club’s full-time closer. Lyon will be consistent and could reach 35 saves, but his low strikeout totals make him more of an option for deeper leagues.
Chicago Cubs
Current closer-Carlos Marmol
Waiting in the wings-Kerry Wood
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 90%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Marmol finally got his shot to be the full-time closer and put up some big numbers along the way. Marmol set the MLB record for relievers with a 15.99 K’s per 9 innings whilst posting 38 saves in 43 chances. You never know what is going to happen when he enters the game, but his numbers make him a top ten closer on draft day.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Current closer-Joel Hanrahan
Waiting in the wings-Evan Meek
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 20%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Hanrahan is the closer on paper, but this is headed to a battle in spring training with the winner being named the closer. Meek and Hanrahan alternated closing ops to end the season in 2010 and either could be a decent low end option in deeper leagues in 2011. Hanrahan has the experience, but Meek has more long term potential.
NL West
San Francisco Giants
Current closer-Brian Wilson
Waiting in the wings-Sergio Romo
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 100%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Only a budding comedy career seems like a cause for concern with Wilson.
San Diego Padres
Current closer-Heath Bell
Waiting in the wings-Mike Adams
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 100%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: The loss of Adrian Gonzalez may make it harder for Bell to reproduce 47 saves again, but a better defensive infield should help lower his overall ERA helping him to produce gaudy numbers once again this year. Bell is a top three reliever.
Colorado Rockies
Current closer-Houston Street
Waiting in the wings-Matt Lindstrom
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 30%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Street still managed to post 20 saves after missing a significant amount of time due to injuries. Street can get it done, but whether he can remain healthy is the biggest question with him. Handcuffing him with Lindstrom is a necessity. Street is healthy heading into this season and should start the season as the team’s number one closer barring injury.
LA Dodgers
Current closer-Jonathan Broxton
Waiting in the wings-Hong-Chih Kuo
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 50%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Broxton entered last season as a top 5 closer and ended the season as a set up man. HCK took over the role and had a decent amount of success. Broxton will have an opportunity to win the job back in the spring. HCK’s injury history and the Dodger’s reluctance to pitch him on consecutive days make Broxton the early favorite.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Current closer- J.J. Putz
Waiting in the wings- Juan Gutierrez
FantasyCPR Confidence Level: 70%
FantasyCPR Expert Analysis: Putz was able to put together a decent campaign pitching in relief for the White Sox last season after battling elbow issues for the two previous seasons. Putz has the ability to be a top closer and his health and the number of save ops the Diamondbacks give him are keeping him from just out of the top 5 closers on draft day. Putz had a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP last season over 54 innings pitched.
Original Story:
http://fantasycpr.com/2011/02/11/mlb-...
