The table below provides my rankings of the 30 closers as well as each team’s next in line reliever. The next in line reliever are pitchers I believe will become the closer if given the opportunity for them arises.
|
Team |
Closer |
Rank |
Next in line |
Rank |
|
Braves |
Craig Kimbrel |
1 |
Jordan Walden |
13 |
|
Rays |
Fernando Rodney |
2 |
Joel Peralta |
10 |
|
Phillies |
Jonathan Papelbon |
3 |
Mike Adams |
20 |
|
Cardinals |
Jason Motte |
4 |
Mitchell Boggs |
21 |
|
Nationals |
Rafael Soriano |
5 |
Drew Storen |
19 |
|
Rangers |
Joe Nathan |
6 |
Joakim Soria |
12 |
|
Blue Jays |
Casey Janssen |
7 |
Sergio Santos |
1 |
|
Yankees |
Mariano Rivera |
8 |
David Robertson |
4 |
|
Orioles |
Jim Johnson |
9 |
Pedro Strop |
24 |
|
Brewers |
John Axford |
10 |
Jim Henderson |
9 |
|
Royals |
Greg Holland |
11 |
Aaron Crow |
8 |
|
Giants |
Sergio Romo |
12 |
Javier Lopez |
25 |
|
Mariners |
Tom Wilhelmsen |
13 |
Stephen Pryor |
22 |
|
Athletics |
Grant Balfour |
14 |
Ryan Cook |
11 |
|
Pirates |
Jason Grilli |
15 |
Mark Melancon |
18 |
|
Twins |
Glen Perkins |
16 |
Jared Burton |
16 |
|
Diamondbacks |
J.J. Putz |
17 |
David Hernandez |
5 |
|
Padres |
Huston Street |
18 |
Luke Gregerson |
3 |
|
White Sox |
Addison Reed |
19 |
Matt Thornton |
26 |
|
Angels |
Ernesto Frieri |
20 |
Ryan Madson |
27 |
|
Dodgers |
Brandon League |
21 |
Kenley Jansen |
6 |
|
Marlins |
Steve Cishek |
22 |
Jon Rauch |
28 |
|
Astros |
Jose Veras |
23 |
Wesley Wright |
14 |
|
Red Sox |
Joel Hanrahan |
24 |
Andrew Bailey |
17 |
|
Reds |
Jonathan Broxton |
25 |
Sean Marshall |
30 |
|
Indians |
Chris Perez |
26 |
Vinnie Pestano |
7 |
|
Rockies |
Rafael Betancourt |
27 |
Rex Brothers |
23 |
|
Tigers |
Bruce Rondon |
28 |
Phil Coke |
29 |
|
Mets |
Bobby Parnell |
29 |
Frank Francisco |
15 |
|
Cubs |
Carlos Marmol |
30 |
Kyuji Fujikawa |
2 |
Notes:
- Frank Francisco threw off a mound on Sunday, but he is still far away from recovering from inflammation in his right elbow. As of now it looks as though he’ll begin the year on the DL. If he does, it gives Bobby Parnell the opportunity to be the closer. If he performs well, he could keep the job all year because Francisco isn’t very good.
- Last year Ryan Madson lost the entire 2012 season due to TJ surgery. He began Spring Training on the mend with elbow soreness. Two days ago he threw off a mound for the first time in six weeks. He only threw fastballs and he was not throwing at full effort. Whether it’s closing or setting-up, Madson is going to be the key to the success of the Angels this season because their rotation isn’t that good and they’re going to have to win 7-6 games.
- If something happened to Craig Kimbrell, I believe Jordan Walden, not Johnny Venters, would get the save opportunities. Venters was not as effective last year and managers, especially old school managers like Freddie Gonzalez, are usually hesitant to use left handers in the closer role.
- If you draft Casey Janssen, you want to make sure you draft Sergio Santos too. Janssen is currently recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and threw off a mound today, throwing his full repertoire. Most fantasy owners forget how good Santos was two years ago. If Janssen isn’t ready for Opening Day, Santos becomes the closer and could stay the closer if he gets the job done. Whoever Toronto’s closer is, if they’re as good as a lot of people predict, there’s going to be a lot of save chances.
- Carlos Marmol will most likely begin the year as the Cubs closer, but it’s not going to last. Any Marmol owner should draft Kyuji Fujikawa as insurance.
- Jonathan Broxton is rated so low because I don’t believe he remains the closer the entire year. If I were a betting man, there’s a 75% chance at some point during the season Aroldis Chapman will become the closer again. It will most likely happen after Broxton blows two saves in a row.
