Closer Report - Week 2

The first jumbled up week is over. I don't know about you but I kinda hate the 12 days of opening day thing that MLB had going on. Took all the luster off of what opening day is all about. Have no fear week 2 is here, to bring some form of normalcy to fake baseball. The closer report this week has some risers and some fallers, and a sprinkle of some new blood. The top ranked guys either performed poorly or not at all, and the guys near the bottom where their teams were not so awesome are showing out. So take a look at the notes for week 2 followed by the rankings for both closers and the gents that set them up.

• The Boston situation is becoming a mess. Aceves and Melancon, both saw chances and both wet the bed. New news is that Daniel Bard is going to be moved from the rotation to solidify the end game in Boston. Should have been done from the start.
• Robin Ventura pulled out his best poker face in determining the closer situation. Hector Santiago has seen the early action in that role, pushing Matt Thornton and Jesse Crain into the LH/RH setup roles which IMO they are more equiped to handle.
• The Farns is on the shelf for at least 4 weeks. Fernando Rodney becomes the next recycled reliever that shines for Joe Maddon in TB. Rodney is mad inconsistent and the Rays will see lots of leads, it's a definite must handcuff situation.
• Frank Francisco is looking like a nice later round investment. 3 saves in 3 games is a nice way to cement some value and get your picture on Faketeams. I would be comfortable with him in this role barring an injury so the handcuffs are droppable, for now.
• Chris Perez in Cleveland is showing why I hated him in pre-season. Pestano should be owned everywhere. I can not see Perez lasting 2 more implosions.
• If you look at the Cubs bullpen it is a horrible mess of names you either don't know or don't trust. Marmol is inconsistent and that's a compliment, Wood is the hand cuff to own, but yuck.. Only name that jumps out to me is Rafael Dolis as a deep sleeper here.

Rankings reflect statuses for Week 2:

1. Craig Kimbrel ATL

2. Mariano Rivera NYY

3. Jon Axford MIL

4. Jonathon Papelbon PHI

5. Jose Valverde DET

6. Brian Wilson SF

7. Sergio Santos TOR

8. Joel Hanrahan PIT

9. JJ Putz ARI

10. Jason Motte STL (+1)

11. Heath Bell MIA

12. Rafael Betancourt COL

13. Sean Marshall CIN (+6)

14. Huston Street SD

15. Brandon League SEA

16. Frank Francisco NYM (+6)

17. Joe Nathan TEX

18. Jordan Walden ANA

19. Carlos Marmol CHC (-6)

20. Javy Guerra LAD

21. Hector Santiago CHW (NEW)

22. Chris Perez CLE (-7)

23. Jim Johnson BAL(+2)

24. Jonathon Broxton KC (+2)

25. Fernando Rodney TB(NEW)

26. Grant Balfour A's(+2)

27. Alfredo Aceves/Mark Melancon/Daniel Bard BOS(-2)

28. Matt Capps MIN

29. Henry Rodriguez/Brad Lidge WAS (-2)

30. Brett Myers HOU

DL- Drew Storen WAS

DL- Kyle Farnsworth

Hold Tiers:

Tier 1:

Jonny Venters ATL

Mike Adams TEX

David Robertson NYY

Sergio Romo SF

Eric O'Flaherty ATL

Tyler Clippard WAS

Francisco Rodriguez MIL

Greg Holland KC

Vinnie Pestano CLE

Tier 2:

Glen Perkins MIN

Marc Rzeczypnski STL

Joaquin Benoit DET

Kenley Jansen LAD

David Hernandez ARI

Edward Mujica MIA

Scott Downs ANA

Antonio Bastardo PHI

Matt Thornton CHW

Alexei Ogando TEX

Tier 3:

Matt Guerrier LAD

Rafael Soriano NYY

Joel Peralta TB

Joe Smith CLE

Jesse Crain CHW

Andrew Cashner SD

Brian Shaw ARI

Francisco Cordero TOR

Jon Rauch NYM