1. Jonathan Papelbon
Even after a mid-season trade the Red Sox learned that you can only have one Gagne on your team, and his name is Jon
Papelbon. A dominance in 2006 reminiscent of the MVP-caliber Gagne, was followed up by every-day run-of-the-mill
dominance in '07. On a great team, expect more of the same.
2. JJ Putz
Despite fears of injury last year, JJ put together a truly forceful season and eclipsed 40 saves. Only a stronger two year
track record from Pape keeps Putz out of the number 1 spot. JJ will do many things this year to make the #1 decision even
harder, but fortunately some of the other names on this list may be just a bit more familiar to your league mates and you
may find Putz available at a minor discount.
3. Joe Nathan
What's that hanging on Joe's wall? A shiny new contract. Forget distractions coming from what would have been pending
free-agency, nor should a worst-team-in-5-years Twins bunch affect him too much in '08. A good defense and a good
pitcher's park and Joe won't disappoint you.
4. Francisco Rodriguez
Frankie-K! After striking out 123 in 2004 and almost 100 in 2006, Francisco notched his 5th consecutive 90 strikeout
season. If anyone is into odd/even year trends, then maybe Rodriguez is set to give us another run at the century mark.
Rodriguez is more likely to have a mid to high 2 ERA than the guys above him, knocking him down a bit, but he's still one of
the elite.
5. Huston Street
An underachieving team and an injury following a 70 inning season kept Huston down last year, but don't count him out.
Striking out 63 in only 50 innings shows you that when he's on, he's on. Even a poor A's team should win 70, with Huston
very capable of getting saves in 40 as the A's mediocre offense doesn't expect to get many of its wins by large margins.
6. Mariano Rivera
One pitch. Just one pitch. Few have demonstrated a closer's ability to persevere like Mariano, while most flame out after a
4 or 5 year peak, Mariano keeps on doing it. One fallen-short Yankee season after another. It will be interesting to see
how a new manager affects Mariano, and there will likely be talk of a mid-season dead arm period (yet his innings have
never suffered), but until he proves otherwise there is no reason not to count on Mo. An upwardly trending ERA and WHIP
keep Mariano a bit lower on the list, however, and it is always better to pass on a guy a year early than to pass on a guy a
year late.
7. Bobby Jenks
Like FROD, Jenks largely (pun?) burst onto the scene during a play-off run. While not as dominant, and somewhat prone
to wildness (see 2006), he's entrenched in the fireman's role on a good team. A guy like Jenks, snagged as your second
closer, demonstrates you may be ready to dominate the saves category.
8. Joakim Soria
In Joakim we have our first AL reliever outside of the elite realm, which is not to tarnish him. Another reliever that relies on
the strikeout as his preferred method of extermination, don't let the Royal's likely failings turn you away from him. While
many a save opportunity may evaporate in the 7th and 8th innings, enough will remain for Joakim and his very respectable
secondary numbers to keep you competing.
9. Joe Borowski
Joe's a closer because he's a closer kind of guy. Or something. Eric Wedge must like the simplicity of knowing who he's
going to plug into a ninth inning, down by three or less situation... but any lead less than three is tenuous at best. Joe is
just not anything close to dominant, his less-than-1 strikeout per inning doesn't really cut it for a go-to reliever. However, as
long as the Indians are competing in the Central, there he will stay. When the team faces an early season slump though,
and someone needs to be blamed, look for Borowski to feel the heat that he is otherwise unable to deliver. A peak down
this list will show a very capable replacement.
10. Jeremy Accardo
One of the surprise hits of the 2007 season, Accardo will again start the season as the closer, as Ryan will miss the start. If
you are looking for a few guaranteed saves, and a season long of team helping rate stats, grab Accardo. If Ryan is
delayed or comes back slowly, you'll be much happier with Accardo than some of the AL's senior circuit.
11. Todd Jones
What flavor do you like your risk? Old man Leyland is very content with old man Jones. Detroit fans know that most leads
will come in the 4+ variety. Nevertheless Jones will find his way to 40 odd save opportunities and, if you can get him cheap,
30+ saves. Don't watch him on the mound, though, as there will be his share of ugliness, and we're not talking about the
'stache.
12. Troy Percival
The man who stepped aside for FROD has found his way back to a team that contractually promised him ninth inning
duties, and in doing so actually found a player his own age to step aside. No one can know whether he will last 7 innings or
7 months, nor what he will do in those innings. However, having faith bestowed up him, you know he'll be given every last
chance to do his job and on an always improving Rays team it may pay dividends.
13. George Sherrill
Another Oriole brought over from Seattle, George Sherrill has been named closer. A very good reliever, but one with last
season's September closer still on the roster. A little struggle and he may be replaced "for the good of his future".
However, take solace in the fact that he is the O's best reliever, and if he is given more three run leads in April than one run
leads, he will likely come away a shining star and a potential bargain.
14. CJ Wilson
Step away from the TV. With 50 hits and 33 walks in only 68 innings, this is not a save you wish to witness, at least without
some Pepto. However, there is tremendous cache in being the named closer and you can't let Wilson go too cheap. He
still managed a solid ERA in 2007 and at 27 years old he's not on a down swing. Wilson is another one of those closers
that your best bet is to try to tandem him with his likely back-up.
15. BJ Ryan
Way too low for what he can produce, but too great a possibility to leave you waiting and wanting. He's returning quickly
from his injury and depending on your risk averseness, you may just want some else to take the chance. A solidly built
team can let another person roll these particular dice.
16. Jamie Walker
This O's closer of 2007 will be breathing down Sherrill's neck. It was a small audition, but the manager will remember and
Jamie will remind him with performance any chance he can get. Not a strike machine, but capable and the best bet to
become a mid-season closer replacement.
17. Joaquin Benoit
Another in the Walker mold, Benoit also found success as a closer. Benoit is no longer a starter in waiting, having taken on
reliever full time in 2006 and 2007, and has good reason to be Texas's closer this season... only Wilson can give him the
chance. Maybe you should be in front of the TV for Wilson's games after all.
18. Rafael Betancourt
The best reliever without a clear road to closer, Betancourt was absolutely filthy in 2007 and did so over 80 innings... even
more important if you are going to give a roster spot to a non-closing reliever. As long as Borowski is healthy and the
Indians compete, Betancourt will be an 8th inning man, but an unashamed one at that.
19. Al Reyes
Yoda to Percival's Obi-won, or are they a C3-PO/R2D2 pair? Reyes, given a rare chance over his 38 years to close did so
admirably... from a 26 save perspective, that is. While strikeouts were there, so was a 4.90 ERA. Reyes may be good to
have on a roster in April, just to see what Percival has left. However, if Percival gets through the first week then you should
let Reyes go, just not enough upside.
20. Rafael Perez
If you are in a league with a barren free agent pool, you need solid relievers to buoy your team and shave those much
needed digits off of ERA and WHIP. Better than a strikeout an inning expected, and on a strong Indian team that will likely
deliver a few come-from-behind wins for Perez, here's an unexpected guy you can happily watch on any given day.
21. Hideki Okajima
Okajima can close for oh so many teams; if only Matsuzaka had a designated closer the way Maddux had his designated
catchers. Nevertheless, the man is money and if Papelbon needs another break midseason, Okajima will be the recipient.
22. Dan Wheeler
Tampa Reliever. Non-AARP division. While the numbers are league average the man can pitch competently and still have
enough gas left to push a wheelchair, should any need pushing. He's your best bet for 3rd in line closer-in-waiting and
won't hurt your team if he takes up a roster spot while you are waiting.
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