05.24.08
Need Some Saves?
So You Are in the Market for Saves
Maybe you’re in a deep rotisserie league and had Eric Gagne and Jason Isringhausen as your two closers, what can you do now? Well first off you should be kicking yourself for drafting two of the most injury prone closers in the game. That being said, I would stay away from acquiring guys who have frequented the DL more than Bartolo Colon goes to McDonalds; avoid guys like, Kerry Wood, Brad Lidge and Troy Percival.
Look for Spot Closers
With Izzy predictably going on the DL, Tony LaRussa has turned to Ryan Franklin in the ninth. So far he has responded with 3 saves, and the entire bullpen has gone 12 1/3 straight scoreless innings.
Gagne’s DL spot also opens up another closer job, which won’t be going over to one-time all-star closer Derrick Turnbow because he was recently released by the team. Instead manager Ned Yost will likely piece together the ninth with Salomon Torres and Guillermo Mota, both of whom have closer experience. I think most of the save chances will go to Torres, and in a league where saves are at a premium and he’s still available, snatch him up.
Look for Closers in Training
If all the closers are taken, start looking to the bullpen for up-and-coming closers. Many teams are grooming closers for the future, and they are just a few blown saves or an injury away from getting their chance.
Chris Perez of the Cards was just called up from the minors and has good stuff and good poise for a young guy. Keep an eye on Franklin, because if he slips, LaRussa is not afraid to put his young players in big situations.
Carlos Marmol of the Cubbies is a Kerry Wood sore shoulder away from getting his job as a dominant closer which he truly deserves. Marmol has electric stuff and has already gathered 41 Ks in 29 innings this year. He is a must add if closers are at a premium and you need help in ERA or Ks.
Jonathon Broxton of the Dodgers is in the same category as Marmol. This guy is a moose, who really goes after hitters with a heavy fastball and lots of grit. Only the brittle 38 year-old Saito stands in his way.
Rafael Perez of the Indians returns to his role of setup man as Joe Borowski has been activated off the disabled list. This leaves him behind both Borowski and Betancourt. But both of those guys are older and shakier than the younger and more talented Perez. For now, give him a look only in really deep leagues. Also keep an eye to the minors for Adam Miller who may join the Tribe’s bullpen later this year, and anyone who can hit 100 on the gun is worth a look!
Tony Pena of the D-Backs is the back up to oft-injured Brandon Lyon so he is worth a look. Although his numbers this year suggest he may not do well in the role if he gets it.
Lastly, on an unrelated note, if Clayton Kershaw is available in your leagues, pick him up now. The whispers that he’s is starting for the Dodges this Saturday are getting louder! Think, last year’s Tim Lincecum.
03.05.08
2008 MLB Fantasy Rankings–Top 5 Starting Pitching Staffs
Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez, John Maine, Orlando Hernandez, Mike Pelfrey
When you have Santana at the top, you automatically have a great pitching staff. He is the ace of the major leagues and is looking at a huge season, not only because he moves to the National League, but unlike the Twins, the Mets can actually score runs! Those two or three no decisions that come from his team’s inability to score will be wins in Flushing. Pedro, if healthy, has shown that he is still a very effective pitcher. Oliver Perez should take the next step towards dominant this year, if he could just cut down on those walks. Expect 16-18 wins for him. Maine had a stellar first half, and then fell back to earth after the All-Star Break. Orlando Hernandez might be 55 years old, but is still getting batters out, and if Mike Pelfrey ever figures it out, he’s got the stuff to be a extraordinary pitcher. The Mets’ are going to strike a lot of hitters out this year. The top four in their rotation are all guys who average nearly a strike out an inning. And as stated before, their offense is good enough, that even some days when the starters don’t bring their best stuff, they still might be able to win an 9-7 type of game.
Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsusaka, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, Clay Buchholz, Curt Schilling, Bartolo Colon
Beckett easily could have won the AL Cy Young Award last year, as he was the only pitcher to win 20 games. Outside of his first year in Boston, Josh has had a good consistent career, and is the ace of this staff and one of the first five pitchers off the board in most fantasy drafts. Matsusaka struggled last year in his first season in America, but he still won 15 games and fanned 200 guys. It was a year of transition for Dice, a new team, a new country, a new language, and a new 5-man rotation (instead of six in Japan). Considering all he had to handle, I’d say he did quite well. Jon Lester has been one of the more inspirational stories to come along in recent memories. One of the top pitching prospects for the Sox, he beat cancer and came back to pitch in the majors in 2007. Be a little wary of his 11-2 career record, he’s on a very good team and his ERA is over 4.50. Walking batters has been his biggest problem thus far, and if he can get that under control, expect him to win 10-13 games. Tim Wakefield may pitch until he is in his late 40s (not to mention keep Doug Mirabelli employed), and he has never been exciting, but he will eat up innings and win double digit games. Clay Buchholz is one of the more exciting prospects to come down the pipe in a while. He has dynamite stuff, and even threw a no-hitter in his second career start. With the injury to Curt Schilling, Buchholz will get his chance to prove he belongs right now. Curt Schilling will be missing at least the first half of the season, maybe more. If he’s able to come back, he will give the Sox a huge second half push. Boston brought in former Cy Young winner Colon to try to resurrect his career. He is basically insurance against injuries at this point, but could prove valuable if one of their starters is unable to go.
02.18.08
Team by Team Fantasy Closer Report–National League
The “Chance of losing job” scale is from 1 to 5, with one being nearly impossible to five being just keeping the seat warm
NL East
New York Mets—Billy Wagner—Once one of the most feared closers in the game, Wagner becomes a little more ordinary every year. He still strikes out more than a batter an inning, but his ERA continues to rise, and his 34 saves last year were his lowest in a full season since the late 90s. The Mets will win a lot of games this year, so the opportunities should be there, but Wagner has slipped out of the top ten at his position.
Chance of losing job: 2
Next in line: Aaron Heilman
Philadelphia Phillies—Brad Lidge—Another guy who used to strike fear into hitters, Lidge has been a train wreck the past couple years. Since he gave up that home run in the playoffs to Albert Pujols, Lidge has lost his dominance, and he was even removed from the closer’s role last year. He will probably have a pretty long leash in Phlly, but if those fans get on him, we will see how strong he really is.
Chance of losing job: 3
Next in line: Tom Gordon
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02.17.08
Team by Team Fantasy Closer Report–American League
Chance of losing job scale is 1-5 with 1 being almost impossible, to 5 being just keeping the seat warm.
AL East
Boston Red Sox—Jonathan Papelbon—One of the top closers in baseball, seems to have gotten past his arm issues of previous years. Strikes out batters at a crazy rate.
Chance of losing his job: 1
Next in line: Hideki Okajima
New York Yankees—Mariano Rivera—Quite possibly the best closer of all times. Mo has be breaking bats and making people look silly for better than a decade. He’s starting to get hit more, but this job is his until he is ready to walk away.
Chance of losing his job: 1
Next in line: Joba Chamberlain
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02.16.08
2008 MLB Fantasy Rankings–Closers
- Francisco Rodriguez—LAA—“K-Rod” has been blowing hitters away since he
came into the league, and last year was no exception. He has had 40+ saves for the last three seasons, while nearing 100 K’s in each of those years. His funky delivery makes you think he is either going to blow out his elbow, or take a come backer in the head. However, he has avoided both thus far. Although he is having contract extension issues with the team, I don’t see that as being a significant enough of a distraction to affect Rodriguez numbers. Anaheim will have one of the best records in the AL again this year, so expect another 40 saves for K-Rod in ’08. - J.J. Putz—SEA—Putz was sitting on three saves after the first month of the season, but then went on an incredible tear to finish the season with 40, bettering his impressive first year as the Mariners closer. Putz was nearly unhittable as he finished with a 1.38 ERA and microscopic .70 WHIP. I’m not sure where all this is coming from, as he was relatively unknown two seasons ago. The Mariners should compete, and Putz has put two good season together, so why not a third. Now, if he could just change that last name. click here for the rest!
