Below are my top 10 middle relievers I’m currently targeting in drafts. I favor players who a better opportunity to becoming a closer over their skill set. However, towards the end of the list I put players who are so good I would draft them because of their superior skill set. For a more up to date information please checkout my closer and reliever rankings.

1. Bobby Parnell, NYM – he would be the closer if the season started today; Frank Francisco is already having elbow soreness; I never trust any pitcher experiencing elbow problems because it’s only a matter of time before they get hurt
2. Ernesto Frieri, LAA – with Ryan Madson currently on the mend, Frieri would be the closer if the season started today
3. Ryan Cook, OAK – he would be the closer if the season started today as Grant Balfour is still recovering from surgery
4. Sergio Santos, TOR – Casey Janssen’s shoulder isn’t “100%” which leaves the door open for Santos; don’t forget that Santos struck out 31% of batters in 2011
5. Jim Henderson, MIL– John Axford was really bad last year and could have a short leash; don’t let the ERA fool you, Henderson struck out more than 34% of batters last year
6. Kenley Jansen, LAD – this is more of an indictment of Brandon League than anything else; Jansen is not without his flaws, specifically with his health
   
7. David Robertson, NYY – I have no idea how good Mariano Rivera will be; Rivera is coming off a torn ACL and is 43 years old; if Rivera falters Robertson could be the second best fantasy closer
8. Jake McGee, TB – for the past eight years the Rays have had someone different lead the team in saves; Fernando Rodney is being taken as the second closer off the board, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rodney is traded  at the trade deadline if the Rays are out of playoff contention
9. David Hernandez, ARI – in the past two years Hernandez has been the best middle reliever in the game; if something were to happen to J.J. Putz my guess is Heath Bell becomes the closer because “he’s done it before,” but hopefully smarter heads prevail
   
10. Aaron Crow, KC – Greg Holland enters the year as the full time closer and having Crow this high is more of a hunch