National League

Updated March 6, 2010

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Arizona Diamondbacks - We’re still looking at Chad Qualls here, and the D-Backs didn’t really bring anyone in this offseason that even looks like they could challenge him for the role.

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 – FANTASY UPDATE: While Carlos Marmol remains the primary option, the landscape of the set-up team has changed now that the MRI results on Angel Guzman’s shoulder reveal a “significant ligament tear” on the front, bottom part of his shoulder. No decision on whether or not he will opt for surgery, but even if he doesn’t, we’re looking at a 4 to 6 week timetable for his return. To me, while this may be a blow to the Cubs pen, I see the silver lining in that my sleeper pick for saves on the North Side, Jeff Samardzija, is one step closer to stepping in.

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 – The Rockies continue with Huston Street this year, but be wary of his injury history. If he gets hurt, I expect to see Franklin Morales step in again and do very well for himself. Manny Corpas still lingers as well, but Morales, despite being a lefty, would likely be the choice.

Florida Marlins – After winning the job last season, Leo Nunez remains the closer for the Marlins in 2010. There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of competition, but supposedly there is an offer out to Kevin Gregg. If Gregg, who once closed for the Marlins, signs, we coul dsee a possible committee situation.

Houston Astros – FANTASY UPDATE: We all probably knew this when both Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom were picked up by the Astros in the offseason, but it was finally announced that there is a flat out competition for the job. Manager Brad Mills has indicated that they two pitchers are on level ground here and the one that fares better this spring will begin the season with the job. I give the edge to Lindstrom over Lyon, but if Mills gets an itchy trigger finger, we could see a shared role…which would suck for fantasy owners.

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 a masterful 2009, Trevor Hoffman returns to close out games for the Brew Crew this year. They have LaTroy Hawkins and Todd Coffey in set up roles, and either may be used if Hoffman ever wears down, but it doesn’t look like that’s happening just yet.

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 – It’s still Brad Lidge, if you can believe that. He had some minor peaks and some serious valleys last season but after offseason knee surgery, he is apparently ready to give it a go again. Ryan Madson remains the alternative, so we’ll see how Lidge does during the spring.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Potentially a disaster of a bullpen this year. The Pirates are bad enough as it is, but now they go into Spring Training with a competition between Octavio Dotel and Joel Hanrahan. I’d be steering clear of this mess for a very long while.

San Diego Padres - Last year’s best value pick at closer, Heath Bell, returns for another season of closing the rare Padres victory. He doesn’t have much in the way of competition, so feel confident when drafting him.

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 - What was once the ugliest pen in baseball, is now looking like a pretty decent bunch. The Nats first brought in Brian Bruney to close, but then landed Matt Capps as well. Capps will be the closer and Bruney will be his top set-up man. But look out for Drew Storen. The former college closer has risen through the minors pretty quickly and looked great in the Arizona Fall League. He’s definitely the closer of the future, but if Capps and Bruney falter, the future could be now.