NL Closers?

by acr on Mar 16, 2007 12:36 AM EDT

Looking at the NL there seem to be more question marks at the closer position than years past.

NL East-
Braves-Wickman (can he keep the job?)
Fish- who knows?
Mets- Wagner
Phillies- Gordon (injury risk?)
Nats- Cordero

NL Central
Cubs- ??
Reds- ??
Astros- Lidge (yikes!)
Brewers- Cordero (had 2 great months in 2006)
Pirates- (Torres ??)
Cardinals- Izzy (healthy/decline issues??)

NL West
D-backs- ??
Rockies- Fuentes
Dodgers- Saito (can he keep it up?)
Pads- Hoffman
Giants- ???

It seems like only a hanful of teams have top notch closers. But most teams have big question marks, including pretty much the entire NL Central. How many different closers have the Brewers have in the last 10 years?

Does this mean someone like Wagner should be taken in the top 3 rounds in 10 team NL only, h2h, points leagues? (sorry I forget the acronym)

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I wouldn't.

You could probably land a guy like Fuentes outside the first 3 rounds unless some freak run on closers occurs, but I would not base my draft on fear of that. Also, you will find many opportunities for shaky closers or backups in much later rounds and probably be able to satisfy the need. I would focus on top tier offense maybe a top tier pitcher in the first 3 rounds. Also remember, if there is that much shakiness around the league, your chancea of falling into a closer via having the backup or the waiver wire are high.

by ppac on Mar 16, 2007 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

+1

Given the shakiness of the role with many NL teams, I'd kick the closer can down the road a bit and focus on grabbing better starters and hitters. Given the shakiness, there is plenty of opportunity to grab the back-ups and land a closer a bit into the season.

If teams make a run on the top back-ups, then you have the option of getting the player who actually holds the role.

by faketeams on Mar 16, 2007 10:04 AM EDT reply actions

Valverde

I know you have question marks in Arizona, but I think Valverde is pretty underrated. It also seems as if Julio will either back him up or be traded to become the closer somewhere so he is worth a late round flier.
Valverde has pretty strong K/9 and should be solid if he can stay healthy this year.

by Savoy on Mar 16, 2007 6:35 PM EDT reply actions

+1

Valverde has been a partial closer for four seasons. His ks always make him a good pick later in drafts. His inability to hold the job makes him a bad pick in earlier ones.

by faketeams on Mar 18, 2007 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions

valverde

who will be his set up man if Julio is traded? pena, medders or lyons?

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Mar 18, 2007 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

Pena

My guess is Tony Pena. he was pitching late innings last September.

by faketeams on Mar 18, 2007 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

I'd wait...

I think there's far too much uncertainty in NL closers right now to jump on one in the early rounds. We could easily see the list of NL closers include Soriano, Howry and Wheeler by the All-Star break.

Winning saves this year probably will rely more on having a quick waiver-clicking finger than having a great draft.

by Skeller on Mar 21, 2007 7:40 AM EDT reply actions

+1

The problem in the beginning of the season is the standings fluctuate so much that the better teams is likely to be low in the standings in April. I was under 50 points in the middle of May and ended-iup winning the league thanks to Russ Martin being recalled when I was near my low point.

by faketeams on Mar 21, 2007 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions