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Every week I take a look at the going's on in the life of relief pitching in fake baseball. It has been a relatively slow week for closer turnover this week. As per the growing 2012 trend it seems that it is constantly in flux. So have a perusal of what I have to say about the closers, how I rank them and even a tiered ranking of the guys who set them up for holds. Happy save chasing.
- Jose Valverde fell down and went boom. He hasn't appeared in a game since last Tuesday. Benoit and Dotel have each garnered a save in that time. Jim Leyland likes to set-it and forget it so I am sure this situation is making him reach for his pack of Winston's. Jose figure to be available either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.
- The long awaited promotion of Aroldis Chapman to the closer role has finally come. To say he is dominant is an understatement. He is still unscored uponincluding the 7-0 inherited runners to zero scored rate. He also has allowed just 14 baserunners in over 22 innings. He has the stuff that makes closer's dominant, will the pressure of the 9th be the only problem, only time will tell. He has been ranked pretty aggressively in my rankings below.
- The situation in the Bronx became more obvious when D-Rob went on the DL. Soriano has got the reigns here and can run with this. He can become a step down from elite level fantasy contributor in the next couple of weeks by just garnering chances. The Yanks just need to get him some opportunities.
- In the other New York borough, the Mets are still hanging in there with Frank squared. He looks awkward out there and for fantasy purposes I would rather trust my sister than him to close out the ninth. Continue to monitor as he will crap all over your periphs and give you an occasional save.
- I have flip-flopped Papelbon and Axford due to Axford's high ERA. Unless someone can make an argument to say that the top three is or should be someone else.
5. Chris Perez
6. Jim Johnson
7. Joel Hanrahan
8. Kenley Jansen
9. Aroldis Chapman
10. J.J. Putz
11. Santiago Casilla
12. Fernando Rodney
- Pretty aggressive ranking here for Chapman, as he has top 10 stuff. Accumulating stats are the only thing not placing him above established no threat from other reliever type closers.
- My love for Santiago Casilla is getting pretty obvious. You can disagree with me that he is a top 11 closer all you want but based on situation and team's lack of run outpouring he is in a great position to grab 25 plus saves for a waiver wire pick-up.
13.Jose Valverde
14.Brandon League
15. Rafael Betancourt
16. Joe Nathan
17. Rafael Soriano
18. Jonathan Broxton
19. Matt Capps
20. Brett Myers
21. Alfredo Aceves
22. Henry Rodriguez
23. Addison Reed
- Valverde continues to drop for me based on injury and inconsistency. Everyone knew last year was a fluke kind of deal and this year the devil is here to collect on the soul he offered up in exchange for last year's results.
- Raffy Soriano ranks in just below the 3rd tier of closers for me initially. Given time and hopefully the right decision by Girardi he should stay the closer as it suits his game more.
- Addison Reed is finally in the clear from all the riff-raff that Ventura has been pulling all year. He is clearly the best option and besides an occasional hiccup he should be higher then this slot next week.
24. Brian Fuentes
25. Heath Bell
26. Frank Francisco
27. Casey Janssen
28. Dale Thayer
29. Scott Downs / Jordan Walden / Ernesto Frieri
30. Rafael Dolis / James Russell
- Everyone listed here is either a replacement temporarily or a name that I would trust on my fantasy roster unless forced.
- Heath Bell has come back into the closers role and garnered 2 saves in as many chances while miraculously not being scored upon. Its starting to look as if he will climb back up the rankings, albeit very slowly. A good buy low guy if your looking to add some saves via the trade route.
HOLDS:
Tier 1.
Jonny Venters ATL
Mike Adams TEX
Sergio Romo SF
Tyler Clippard WAS
Vinnie Pestano CLE
Joaquin Benoit DET
Alexi Ogando TEX
Ryan Cook OAK
Sean Marshall CIN
David Hernandez ARI
Tier 2:
Sean Burnett WAS
Andrew Cashner SD
Edward Mujica MIA
Antonio Bastardo PHI
Francisco Rodriguez MIL
Jesse Crain CHW
Tom Wilhelmsen SEA
Pedro Strop BAL
Ernesto Frieri LAA
Jason Grilli PIT
Kris Medlen ATL
Greg Holland KC
Vincente Padilla BOS
Joel Peralta TB
Javy Guerra LAD
Tier 3:
Jared Burton MIN
Juan Cruz PIT
Franklin Morales BOS
Bryan Shaw ARI
Darren O'Day BAL
Tim Byrdak NYM
Marc Rzeczypnski STL
Josh Lindblom LAD
Ryan Webb MIA
Luke Gregerson SD
Kelvin Herrera KC
Matt Thornton CHW
Jose Arredondo CIN