Fantasy Baseball 2012: 15 Relievers Who Could Be Closing by Summer

Every season, a closer emerges out of nowhere.

In 2011, Jordan Walden stole the job from Fernando Rodney and Sergio Santos earned the closer role after Matt Thornton had four blown saves in April.

In 2010, Chris Perez was able to pick up 23 saves when Kerry Wood got injured, and John Axford came to the rescue when Trevor Hoffman's era skyrocketed to 5.89. 

In 2009, Andrew Bailey started the year as the A's third option for closer, but he wound up winning AL Rookie of the Year after recording 26 saves. Similarly, David Aardsma began as Brandon Morrow's setup man but finished the year with 38 saves.

Who will steal the show in 2012?

I've compiled a list of the top 15 relievers who could end up closing by summer.

It's no guarantee that any of these guys will assume closer roles, but they are certainly worth putting on your watch list.

Ramon Ramirez, New York Mets

The Mets traded for Ramon Ramirez for a reason.

Frank Francisco will start the year as a Mets closer, but I don't expect him to last.

Ramirez did a fine job setting up in San Francisco last season, and he finished the year with 11 holds and four saves with a 2.62 ERA.

Francisco isn't as durable as Ramirez. Francisco hasn't pitched more than 60 innings since 2004, whereas Ramirez has thrown 65+ innings in each of the last four seasons.

Take a chance on Ramirez. You'll be happy come summer time.

Addison Reed, Chicago White Sox

Matt Thornton is supposed to start the year as the White Sox closer, but we all remember how that worked out last season.

Addison Reed is just 23-years old and has electric stuff. His fastball reaches the high 90s, and he has a slider and changeup to compliment it very well.

Reed started 2011 in Single A but finished the year by pitching in six games for the Sox.

In four Minor League levels last year, Reed compiled a 13.77 K/9 rate. Then, when he was called up, he struck out 12 in 7.1 innings.

Reed has the moxie to close, so he should definitely be on your radar.

Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians

Chris Perez's numbers were down last year. Although he saved 36 games, his ERA was 3.32 (up from 1.71 in 2010).

There's one huge alarming factor with Perez: his K/9 rate is decreasing. In 2009, Perez posted a 10.7 K/9 ratio, but in 2011, Perez was only at 5.9.

That's bad news for Perez if the pattern continues, especially with Vinnie Pestano lurking in the setup role.

Pestano turned in 23 holds a year ago to go along with his 2.32 ERA. Pestano also had 84 strikeouts in 62 innings (12.2 K/9).

Perez was awful after the All-Star Break last year (4.44 ERA) while Pestano thrived (1.57 ERA).

If Perez starts off slow in 2012, Pestano could be the man to take his place.

Kevin Gregg, Baltimore Orioles

It looks like the Orioles will start with Jim Johnson to close out ballgames.

But that shouldn't stop you from drafting Kevin Gregg or at least keeping an eye on him. The Orioles closer woes have continued for the last several seasons now.

Johnson certainly has the potential to take over as full-time closer, but he possesses some disadvantages compared to Gregg.

Gregg has had 20 or more saves in each of the last five years, and his career K/9 rate is much better than Johnson's (8.3 to 5.8). Playing in the AL East, a strikeout pitcher will be more advantageous.

Gregg is more hittable, but if Johnson falters early, Gregg should be in line to recapture the closing role.

Javy Guerra, Los Angeles Dodgers

Currently on MLB depth charts, the Los Angeles Dodgers have Kenley Jansen to close.

Jansen has the better tools to close. He has a career K/9 rate of 15.3, including 16.1 last year.

However, he lacks the experience that Guerra has, which could be pivotal. In his first season last year, Guerra converted 21 of 23 save opportunities.

Jansen is primed to be the closer, but it's a gamble. If you take Jansen, it could pay dividends to draft Guerra as well—especially if you're in a league that uses holds.



Mark Melancon, Boston Red Sox

When the Red Sox got Andrew Bailey, it ended the debate on who would fill Papelbon's shoes.

Or did it?

Bailey is definitely a solid closer. He has 75 saves in the last three seasons with a career 2.07 ERA.

There are some issues, though. Bailey is extremely injury-prone. He had Tommy John surgery in 2004 and has hit the DL in each of the last two seasons.

Plus, Bailey is getting more hittable. In his breakout year in 2009, he gave up just 5.3 hits per nine innings. In 2010, it moved up to 6.2 and then increased to 7.3 last year.

Melancon won't threaten to take Bailey's job, but don't be surprised if Bailey lands on the DL and Melancon is the go-to guy.

Remember, Melancon had 20 saves with a 2.78 ERA for Houston last year.

David Aardsma, Free Agent

David Aardsma just started throwing after having Tommy John surgery last July.

Aardsma is currently a free agent and will most likely see no offers until he is further along in his rehab.

Aardsma saved 69 games for the Mariners in 2009-10, which will make him an interesting sign. Any team that has bullpen problems or has the patience could pick up Aardsma.

Make sure you watch Aardsma's status. He could be a decent closer option by the end of the year.

Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals

Joakim Soria struggled for the first time in his career last year, and it resulted in him temporarily losing his job.

Soria's ERA of 4.03 was one of the worst among closers last season. The lack of bullpen arms is the the reason why Soria settled back in to the closer role.

That won't happen this year.

Greg Holland had a 1.80 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and was able to pick up four saves last year.

The Royals signed Jonathan Broxton to strengthen their bullpen, but if Soria gets injured or struggles, I'd expect Holland to assume closer duties.

Broxton hasn't been the same since his 36-save season in 2009 and is coming off a year in which he only threw 12.2 innings.

Keep a watch out for the hard-throwing Holland, but also keep Broxton in mind just in case.

Fautino De Los Santos, Oakland A's

At the moment, Brian Fuentes is slated to be the A's closer. His job is in jeopardy, though.

Fuentes has always been a servicebale closer. He has a career 3.44 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 199 saves in 11 MLB seasons.

However, if the A's want to go with the youth movement—which they are obviously doing with all the trades—then Fautino De Los Santos could be the eventual answer.

De Los Santos' average fastball is above 95 mph and his 11.61 K/9 last year with the A's is impressive. The only problem with De Los Santos? He walks entirely too many batters (17 BBs in 33.1 IP last year).

If Fuentes ends up losing his job, De Los Santos has the tools to fill right in.

Grant Balfour, Oakland A's

Balfour has been one of the most reliable relievers in the last couple of seasons.He has posted sub-2.50 ERAs in three of his last four seasons, including a 2.47 ERA last year.

Balfour ranked tied for 10th in holds last year with 26, so he's shown he can keep a lead late in the game.

If something happens to Fuentes, Balfour might be the guy. Although, I think it's De Los Santos' job; the A's might not want to rush the hard-throwing Dominican Republic native.

Watch for Balfour's status. He's already valuable as a setup man, but his stock could rise if he inherits the closer duties.

Koji Uehara, Texas Rangers

Joe Nathan used to be one of the most trusted closers in the game, but that was before he missed the entire 2010 season with Tommy John surgery.

In his first season back since the surgery, Nathan mightily struggled with a 4.84 ERA.

Although Nathan turned it around in the second half (11 saves, 3.91 ERA), I don't expect Nathan to return to his All-Star days.

Enter Koji Uehara.

Uehara is a WHIP savior: He had a 0.72 WHIP in 2011 and a 0.95 in 2010. He's also had experience with closing in Baltimore (13 saves in 2010).

Uehara should draw attention on draft day. If something happens to Nathan, Uehara should be able to step in.

Mike Adams, Texas Rangers

Mike Adams is another viable option if Nathan struggles.

Adams has been one of the game's best setup men. Adams recorded 32 holds a year ago and had 38 in 2010. His career 1.00 WHIP and 9.25 K/9 proves he has what it takes to be a closer.

Depending on how deep your league is, Adams should be considered on draft day. If your league includes holds, Adams is a must; but even if it doesn't, Adams will certainly help your ERA and WHIP.

Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays

Kyle Farnsworth finally lived up to the potential in 2011: he was able to pick up 25 saves with a 2.18 ERA.

Don't be surprised if he can't string together back-to-back seasons like that, though, especially because Farnsworth has a history of the injury-bug.

That's why you should be considering setup man Joel Peralta.

When Farny got injured late in the year in 2011, Peralta stepped right in. Peralta collected four saves with a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings pitched in September a year ago.

The 35-year-old isn't a long-term solution, but he's worth looking out for.

Rex Brothers, Colorado Rockies

Rex Brothers is the dark horse of the list.

Rafael Betancourt has the job locked up, no questions asked. He was arguably the best relief pitcher in the second half last year. He posted eight saves to go with a 0.33 ERA for the last three months of the season.

Having said this, freaky things happen—like injuries.

This is why Brothers should be on your watch list. Last year with the Rockies, Brothers had 59 strikeouts in 40.2 innings. Before getting called up, he collected 45 strikeouts in 28 innings for the Triple-A squad.

Brothers is 24-years old whereas Betancourt is 36, but Brothers won't get a chance unless something drastic happens with Betancourt. If it does, though, make sure you get lefty fireballer.

Shawn Tolleson, Los Angeles Dodgers

Tolleson is another dark horse.

He started 2011 in Low Single-A and dominated his way up to Double-A. His combined stats were: 1.17 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 13.69 K/9 ratio.

Tolleson will most likely start the year in the minors, but don't be surprised if he's called up in July—especially if he's still putting up ridiculous numbers.

His best pitch is his cutter, and he has a 97 mph fastball and a solid slider to go with it.

If he's called up, Tolleson will be behind Jansen and Guerra, but he's worth putting on your watch list.