A key strategy in fantasy baseball is identifying the disparity of talent at each position.
A position with a major drop-off in talent within the first 10 players is usually an area you want to focus your draft on early. On the other hand, when there is a great deal of parity at a position, there is less of an urgency than to draft a player at that position early.
Closers fall in the latter category since the hurlers only offer 70 innings of work each season. Therefore, the advantages that they bring in strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP are miniscule compared to starting pitchers who offer three times as many innings each season. That’s why identifying the second-tier closers is important in fantasy baseball.
While other fantasy managers make the mistake of drafting the top closers within the first five rounds, a better strategy involves focusing on the second- and third-tier closers in the late rounds.
Here’s a look at 10 closers you should focus on in the middle and late rounds of your fantasy draft.
1) Brad Lidge, RP, Phillies
Though he is one of the most erratic closers of his generation, the Phillies are standing by him and last season Lidge dominated after returning from injury. With the Phillies pitching staff as strong as it is, Lidge should get 30-plus saves this season with plenty of strikeouts.
2) Jonathan Broxton, RP, Dodgers
While this may be lower than Broxton is ranked in most other fantasy previews, we cannot ignore what happened in the second half of last season. Broxton will get the first crack at closing for the Dodgers, but there aren’t any guarantees beyond that.
3) Huston Street, RP, Rockies
An injury-prone hurler, Street dealt with a rib injury last season en route to notching 20 saves with a 3.61 ERA. The Rockies are expected to win often this season, which can put Street in position to rack up 35-plus saves if he can stay healthy.
4) Jose Valverde, RP, Tigers
Though injuries have decreased Valverde’s saves in recent years, he seems to be a better pitcher these days as he effectively limits the opposing base batters from reaching base. In fact, last season, his solid 1.16 WHIP was in large part a result of his sensational .184 opposing batting average.
5) J.J. Putz, RP, Diamondbacks
Now that he proved he’s healthy in Chicago last season, Putz returns to the closer’s role for the Diamondbacks. The team may not get many wins, but that should not stop him from racking up 30 saves with a healthy total of strikeouts.
6) Matt Thornton, RP, White Sox
The 34-year-old Thornton has been one of the most impressive relievers in baseball over the last few seasons; however, we have yet to see him take on the closer’s role for an entire season. On that note, he may have a short leash, since the rising Chris Sale is waiting in the wings should Thornton falter.
7) Chris Perez, RP, Indians
Once considered the future closer for the Cardinals, Perez has made himself at home in Cleveland. The 25-year-old sparkled with a 1.74 ERA last season and 23 saves, though his control could still use some improvement.
8) Andrew Bailey, RP, A’s
He was dominant when healthy last season, but there are some real concerns about just how healthy he will be. Sharp elbow pain was a scary issue this spring, but when Bailey consulted a doctor he was told it was only scar tissue. He should close, but Bailey seems like a serious injury risk.
9) Francisco Cordero, RP, Reds
There are certainly better arms in the Cincinnati bullpen, but Cordero is a proven closer with 30-plus saves in six of the last seven seasons. Nonetheless, it would not shock me if Aroldis Chapman ends up the closer at season’s end.
10) Joel Hanrahan, RP, Pirates
This overlooked hurler should be on your draft list for two reasons: his 4:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and his 100 strikeouts last season in just 69.2 innings. Combine those two totals with 25-plus saves, and you realize that you have a sleeper on your hands.
The sportsnet.ca closer rankings:
1) Mariano Rivera, Yankees
2) Carlos Marmol, Cubs
3) Neftali Feliz, Rangers
4) Joakim Soria, Royals
5) Brian Wilson, Giants
6) John Axford, Brewers
7) Heath Bell, Padres
8) Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox
9) Francisco Rodriguez, Mets
10) Brad Lidge, Phillies
11) Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers
12) Huston Street, Rockies
13) Jose Valverde, Tigers
14) JJ Putz, Diamondbacks
15) Matt Thornton, White Sox
16) Chris Perez, Indians
17) Andrew Bailey, A’s
18) Francisco Cordero, Reds
19) Joel Hanrahan, Nationals
20) Craig Kimbrel, Braves
21) Leo Nunoz, Marlins
22) Ryan Franklin, Cardinals
23) Drew Storen, Nationals
24) David Aardsma, Mariners
25) Brandon Lyon, Astros
26) Joe Nathan, Twins
27) Jon Rauch, Blue Jays
28) Jonny Venters, braves
29) Kevin Gregg, Orioles
30) Frank Francisco, Blue Jays
31) Aroldis Chapman, Reds
32) Mat Capps, Twins
33) Koji Uehara, Orioles