Closer Report

Boston Red Sox -  Jonathan Papelbon is still the man in Beantown and he should continue to produce as one of the top closers in the game.  In case of injury, I’m sure Hideki Okajima could fill in or possibly even Daniel Bard, but that’s a concern for another day.

Chicago White Sox -  FANTASY UPDATE:  Well, it finally came to a head on the South Side last night after Bobby Jenks blew another save chance (his 2nd in his last 4 appearances) and cost the Sox the game and apart of their newfound division lead.  Ozzie Guillen says that he is going to a closer by committe situation now, so Jenks’ value plummets.  Personally, I’d rather see them use J.J. Putz for the ninth, but they’ll likely go to Matt Thornton a number of times first.  For more on this situation, check out my latest article on SouthSideSwingers.com.    

Cleveland Indians -  FANTASY UPDATE:  Last week the Tribe was forced to put Kerry Wood on the 15 day DL with a blister on his finger, leaving Chris Perez as the ninth inning guy again.  Cleveland was looking to deal away Wood at the non-waiver deadline, but may be forced to hang on to him a little longer to make sure his health is up to snuff.  Either way, it looks like Perez should be the guy moving forward.  Wood won’t be in an Indians uniform for much longer so consider Perez a safe play for saves throughout the rest of the season. 

Detroit Tigers -  After trimming payroll, the Tigers went out and picked up a hired gun in Jose Valverde during the offseason and should have as dominant a bullpen as ever.  Valverde is healthy and should excel in the role, and couple that with Joel Zumaya as his set up guy and you’ve got serious heat coming out in the late innings. 

Kansas City Royals -  The Mexecutioner, Joakim Soria, not only remains the closer for the Royals, but is listed in fantasy baseball magazines as one of the top closers in the game.  If he gets hurt at all like last season, then expect Juan Cruz to fill in, but be confident that we won’t have to see that again.

Los Angels Angels -  Despite earlier struggles, Brian Fuentes remains the Angels closer and Fernando Rodney, his primary set-up guy.  Fuentes actually hasn’t allowed an earned run since June 20th and has 8 saves in that time, giving him 18 on the year.  Barring injury, he should be a safe play the rest of the season. 

Minnesota Twins -  It seems that Jon Rauch is as locked into the job as he can be here.  Ron Gardenhire has been very happy with his choice of closer and Rauch, with the exception of a bump or two in the road, has been more than a solid fantasy choice thus far.

New York Yankees -   It’s all Mariano Rivera, all of the time.  Barring injury, he’ll be gettin geach and every opportunity.

Oakland A’s  -  Andrew Bailey came out of spring training fine after a quick scare and has finally nailed down his first save of the season.  He’ll continue with the job, but don’t expect a repeat of last year’s totals.

Seattle Mariners -  The job was finally nabbed by David Aardsma last season and that looks like the way it will stay this year.  The Mariners didn’t do much to shore up their pen this offseason and the only potential competition, Brandon Morrow, is now in Toronto.

Tampa Bay Rays -  After years of struggling to find a closer, the Rays finally picked one up in free agency.  Goodbye closer-by-committee, hello Rafael Soriano.  He was a solid option last season after he took over the job in Atlanta and should do very well for himself in his new home.

Texas Rangers -  Neftali Feliz is 25 for 27 in saves chances this season, and despite a rough outing here and there, it doesn’t look like he’s losing the job to Frank Francisco anytime soon.  I’d like to see his K-rate increase a little, but you can’t argue that he hasn’t been a seriously valuable asset for the Rangers this year.  

Toronto Blue Jays -  FANTASY UPDATE:  Despite looking absolutely atrocious since the All Star Break, Kevin Gregg still seems to have a hol don the closer’s job in Toronto.  His 3.93 ERA is rough, but he’s got 21 saves on the season and with the Jays shopping a guy like Scott Downs, it doesn’t look like they’re too concerned about their bullpen issues this year.  If it gets any worse, then expect to see Jason Frasor get some work in the ninth, but I’ve heard his name thrown about in trade talks as well. 

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Arizona Diamondbacks - FANTASY UPDATE:  Yuck!  Another committee situation.  The D-Backs were going with Aaron Heilman in lieu of Chad Qualls before they fired A.J. Hinch, and now with Kirk Gibson at the helm, that is no longer a lock.  Gibson has used Juan Gutierrez a few times lately and has said that he will not announce a closer right now.  That means, Gutierrez, Heilman and even Qualls will be vying for saves until Gibson makes up his mind.  If Gutierrez is strong, then he may get the work full time further down the road, but you can’t count on anything consistent right now.

Atlanta Braves -  The Braves go retro this year as they signed Billy Wagner this offseason and have given him the job for 2010.  Takashi Saito was brought in as insurance, but he’s not going to take save opps away.

Chicago Cubs -  Carlos Marmol in the ninth inning is about the only thing working for the Cubs these days.  He’s got 13 saves to date with a 1.86 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP while ammassing a ridiculous 54 Ks in just 29 innings of work.

Cincinnati Reds -  Shockingly, Francisco Cordero did well enough last season that he maintains the job in 2010 and the Reds didn’t even bother to bring in anyone to give him an inkling of concern regarding job security. 

Colorado Rockies -  FANTASY UPDATE:  He’s hit a few bumps in the road upon his return, but the job officially belongs to Huston Street.  He’s been back since the start of July and has notched 5 saves in that time, blowing just his first the other night.  You can’t rely on him to be a lights out type guy, so don’t expect any eye-popping ratios.   Still, he remains a solid option for your bullpen now that he’s healthy again.

Florida Marlins - The job still belongs to Leo Nunez and any talk of bringing in additional possibilities to close have become a thing of the past.  Feel comfortable with Nunez, who has 23 saves and a 2.72 ERA, for the remainder of the season.

Houston Astros - Despite the fact that his back was flaring up on him and hadn’t made an appearance in 5 straight games, Matt Lindstrom is still the closer for the Astros.  He’s got 14 saves with only 3 blown saves and hasn’t allowed a run in 21 of his 26 appearances.  Brandon Lyon is still good insurance, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be overtaking Lindstrom any time soon.

Los Angeles Dodgers -  The job belongs to Jonathan Broxton and no other.  He’s got quality set up men in George Sherrill, Hong Chi Kuo and Ramon Troncoso, but he’s in no danger of losing the job to any of them. 

Milwaukee Brewers -  After failed attempts in 2010 with Trevor Hoffman and Carlos Villanueva, the Brewers have turned to righty John Axford for ninth inning responsibilities.  He’s currently 4-4 in save opps and has not blown a save yet.  Sure, he’s still had a few hitches here and there, but until Hoffman can prove that he is 100% ready to take back the job, Axford should be the man to own. 

New York Mets -  There was a time when I could just say K-Rod and leave it at that, but with the down season that Francisco Rodriguez had last year, one would speculate that there may be more to the elbow recovery than we once thought.  Still, the job is, of course, his, but if injury should befall him, then look for Bobby Parnell or even Japanese fireball Ryota Igarashi to step in.

Philadelphia Phillies -  If you bought low on Brad Lidge, anticipating his comeback, then kudos to you.  Since coming off the DL on May 1st, Lidge has recorded four saves and has yet to allow an earned run.  He’s been given plenty of rope over the last 2 years, so I don’t anticipate Jose Contreras getting any more save opps unless something serious happens to Lidge.  The Phillies would, very much, like to keep Lidge there all year long.

Pittsburgh Pirates - FANTASY UPDATE:  Despite earlier rumors that Octavio Dotel was losing his job to Evan Meek, it appears that the Pirates will continue to go to their veteran for ninth inning chances.  Dotel’s ratios still suck and he could end up being traded, so I wouldn’t totally give up on Meek, but for now, it looks like his job is safe.  

San Diego Padres -  With the Padres unexpectedly in contention this season, all of the Heath Bell trade rumors have dissipated.  He is locked in as their closer and I woul dhighly doubt he gets moved anywhere this season.

San Francisco Giants -  The job is locked down by Brian Wilson and given the fact that the Giants did nothing to their pen besides losing Bobby Howry and Merkin Valdez, there’s no one here that’s going to supplant him.

St. Louis Cardinals  -  Ryan Franklin returns again for 2010 after taking over, and running away with in 2009, the job.  He’s got former closer wannabe Jason Motte returning as his set up guy and also add in Kyle McClellan who might be the favorite to step in if something should happen to Franklin.

Washington Nationals -  I don’t think anyone can argue that Matt Capps hasn’t been rock solid with his league leading 20 saves this season.  He may not be the perfect guy out there, but he has way exceeded people’s expectations this season.  While Drew Storen remains the closer of the future, there’s no denying that Capps is the closer of the present.