FANTASY BASEBALL: Closers who Cannot Close II (RP Rankings)

By Muntradamus

BEAST DOME NATION.

I am very excited about the newest feature on the site.  If you look to the top of the page, you will see a “Player Search.” Type in any player from any fantasy sport (Baseball/Football/Basketball) and you can see what I had to say about your guy.

Before I get into closers who are going to be traded and rankings, I want to talk about two closer situations on everyone’s mind.

TYLER CLIPPARD VS. DREW STOREN

Manager Davey Johnson said it is Clippard’s job to lose.  That may be the case, and it is unfortunate for Storen as we are not sure how good he is going to be after surgery to his pitching arm.  Regardless, I believe the job is up for grabs and if Storen dominates in the 8th INN, it will be Drew Storen who gets his old closer job back regardless of how well Clippard is doing in the role.  Drew Storen was a top 5 closer option, and #3 on my list before the news he would be out to start the season.  If he is on your waiver wire, and you have the space or need some saves later this season.  Storen should get his job back if he performs well in the 8th INN for two weeks straight.

 

ALFREDO ACEVES VS. ANDREW BAILEY

Let’s be honest.  Alfredo Aceves has done a great job with the closer role after a bad April, but Andrew Bailey is maybe one of the biggest off seasons moves in the AL East, and the plan is to have him close games to lead Boston to the playoffs.  Aceves did a great job, but Bailey will have his closer job very soon once he returns and is 100%, right now Aceves is keeping the seat warm.

CLOSERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE TRADED:

*I did a similar article to this back in late April.  I projected closers who would lose their jobs, and you can see my results by clicking this link.

HUSTON STREET – SD

Let’s be honest.  The Padres do not need an Elite closer when the team has no chance of going anywhere.  Especially when the closer is on a one year contract.  There is a good chance Street could close for another team, but he could also be an ELITE 8th INN setup man.

PLAYER TO GRAB: DALE THAYER

BRANDON LEAGUE – SEA

League is no longer the closer, but he could be moved as the Mariners could get some value for a guy who has 40 save potential.  This season was a disaster, but there is no reason to think League is done and the Mariners will explore their options.  Wilhelmsen should be able to keep the closer job all season.

PLAYER TO GRAB: TOM WILHELMSEN

 

MATT CAPPS – MIN

Capps is one of the worst closers in the MLB.  He is so bad, the Twins basically did not give him the closer job back when he came off the DL despite him not being so bad this season.  The Twins will likely move the veteran to see what they can get to be a better team.  Capps is just about waiver wire material now.

PLAYER TO GRAB: JARED BURTON

 

CHRIS PEREZ – CLE

The Indians and Chris Perez is not a match made in heaven.  If the Indians ever wanted to get some value for a closer who has more INN pitched than K’s by a longshot, this would be their chance.  Plus Vinnie Pestano is the real deal, and currently he is stuck dominating the 8th.  Chris Perez will likely be a setup option at best if traded.

PLAYER TO GRAB: VINNIE PESTANO

 

J.J. PUTZ – ARI

It may be hard for the Diamondbacks to move Putz, but it is starting to be obvious that David Hernandez should get a chance to close this season.  Putz is not the same dominating closer he was last season, and he is only getting older.  If Putz is traded, his value will drop to waiver wire.

PLAYER TO GRAB: DAVID HERNANDEZ

(CURRENT RELIEF PITCHER RANKINGS)