(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Last week we checked out the National League closers (click here to view), so this week we turn to the American League (all stats given are through Wednesday):
Baltimore Orioles—George Sherrill
He had been tremendous until his last outing, when the Red Sox got to him for two earned runs in 0.2 innings,of course. He had allowed just one earned run over his previous 21 innings, so this one game clearly shouldn’t worry you much. His job appears 100 percent safe, unless the Orioles do ship him out at the deadline (as has been rumored). There’s no clear replacement if that was to happen, so we’d just have to wait and see.
Boston Red Sox—Jonathan Papelbon
He’s one of the best closer’s in the game, and we all know it. There’s not much analysis needed here. His 1.80 ERA and 20 saves say it all.
Chicago White Sox—Bobby Jenks
Every time we do an AL Closer’s Report, I feel like the same thing is said about Jenks because his job is among the safest in baseball. It’s not that the White Sox don’t have other options, but with both Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel setting up for him, it’s just that he continues to excel. He has 18 saves to go with a 3.21 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. The only way he’s not closing games would be an injury and that’s about it.
Cleveland Indians—Kerry Wood
While newly acquired Chris Perez could be the long-term solution in Cleveland, Wood is the present, albeit one that unfortunately doesn’t offer much for fantasy owners right now. The Indians are struggling and are not offering many save opportunities to anyone. The ones that Wood has finished, haven’t gone all that well recently. In the past four weeks, he has just one save and has blown two. Since he’s the closer, he’s still a fantasy option, but a low-end one for now.
Detroit Tigers—Fernando Rodney
Here is a closer with a 4.36 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Yet, he has 17 saves and a job that is relatively safe at the moment. Where are they going to go? The man everyone wants to see, Joel Zumaya, has a WHIP of 1.59. Brandon Lyon has been equally unspectacular, with a 4.03 ERA, though a much better 1.21 WHIP. He is the likely next in line, but a change really is unlikely at the moment. Rodney is not a top option, but he’s usable and still has yet to blow a save all year.
Kansas City Royals—Joakim Soria
He’s started to get going, finally. In his last four times to the mound he’s picked up three saves and a win (albeit it one that was a gift from his teammates after he allowed a run). He has at least one strikeout in each of his past eight outings, totaling 12 over 8.1 innings. He has the potential to be among the games elite closers—all he needs is opportunity to get there.
Los Angeles Angels—Brian Fuentes
For a while it looked like they may really regret letting Francisco Rodriguez bolt to New York, but Fuentes has rebounded in a big way. He did not allow a run in June over 8.2 innings, picking up nine saves in the process. In fact, he allowed just three hits and three walks, striking out 11. The Angels are likely to continue to offer him ample opportunities to rack up the saves, making him that much more valuable.
Minnesota Twins—Joe Nathan
The last time he posted a WHIP of more than 1.06 was in 2000 when he was a starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. Does that tell you enough about him? He just continues to perform like one of the elite in the game, and that’s exactly what he is. He’s on his way towards another 35-save season. There just is no reason to comment on the rest of the bullpen.
New York Yankees—Mariano Rivera
He recently recorded save No. 500, cementing his place in history. Everyone continues to wait for the league to figure him out, but they really haven’t shown any signs of being able to do so. He’s been tremendous once again, with a 2.76 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 40 strikeouts and 20 saves in just 32.2 innings. He remains one of the elite closers in the game at 39 years old.
Oakland Athletics—Andrew Bailey
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