Closer Report

Every week I take a look at the going's on in the life of relief pitching in fake baseball. These rankings are a pretty good indicator of who has been getting it done and who has wasted your roster space. So have a gander at how I would rank the best conclusionary pitchers and the guys that set them up.

• The closer situation in Milwaukee is a mind numbing affair. Jim Henderson, not the guy who played with puppets, but the career minor leaguer has supplanted almost 400 career saves in the back end of the pen. Long term I can't see them ticking with Hendu for next year. Just think that Axford is struggling with confidence.
• Huston Street was cruising along, signed a new deal then proceeded to get hurt. He is currently rehabbing, but not throwing. An early September return is possible. Dale Thayer gets his second stint as interim closer.
• The Giants pen has been up and down most year Santiago Casilla looked fantastic, then crumbled withe the work load. Jeremy Affeldt is getting his chance in the closer role now in the Bochy Fun house.
• The revival of crocodile save'd in Oakland is pretty much complete. Grant Balfour has pretty much returned to the role that he had for the beginning of the year, usurping young upstart Ryan Cook. Blafour has saved 4 consecutive games for the A's in 10 days.
  
• Since the trade of Jonathan Broxton, Greg Holland has done the job that we all knew he was destined for. He is a a perfect 5 for 5 in save chances and averaging 12 K/9 since the All Star break. Long term he looks like the answer, but who really knows the royals could throw Francouer there and hope to retain some value.

Stay here for updated closer ranks and some helpful Holds tiers.

2. Craig Kimbrel

3. Rafael Soriano

5. Jim Johnson

6. Jason Motte

7. Joel Hanrahan

8. Kenley Jansen

9. Jonathan Papelbon

10 Chris Perez

11. Joe Nathan

12. Ernesto Frieri

13. Tyler Clippard

14. Greg Holland

15. J.J. Putz

16. Tom Wilhelmsen

17. Rafael Betancourt

18. Jose Valverde

19.Addison Reed

20. Grant Balfour

21. Casey Janssen

22. Alfredo Aceves

23. Steve Cishek

24. Jim Henderson

25. Jeremy Affeldt

26.Wilton Lopez

27. Carlos Marmol

28. Dale Thayer

29. Frank Francisco

30. Jared Burton / Glen Perkins

Tier 1.

Mike Adams TEX

Sergio Romo SF

Vinnie Pestano CLE

Joaquin Benoit DET

Sean Burnett WAS

Sean Marshall CIN

David Hernandez ARI

Jason Grilli PIT

Antonio Bastardo PHI

Scott Downs ANA

David Robertson NYY

Vincente Padilla BOS

Ronald Belisario LAD

Edward Mujica STL

Tier 2:

Pedro Strop BAL

Eric O'Flaherty ATL

Aaron Crow KC

Drew Storen WAS

Luke Gregerson SD

Joel Peralta TB

Josh Lindblom PHI

Matt Belisle COL

James Russell CHC

Jake McGee TB

Mitchell Boggs STL

Shawn Camp CHC

Heath Bell MIA

Ryan Cook Oak

Jonathan Broxton CIN

Tier 3:

Juan Cruz PIT

Bryan Shaw ARI

Mike Dunn MIA

Juan Cruz PIT

Joe Smith CLE

Kelvin Herrera KC

Matt Thornton CHW

Jose Arredondo CIN

Brad Ziegler ARI

Boone Logan NYY

Jesse Crain CHW

Andrew Miller BOS

Brett Myers CHW

Kevin Jepsen LAA