Fantasy Baseball AL Bullpen Report: Looking at the Closers and Closers in Wait

Eric StashinJan 15, 2010

Last week we took a look at the NL closer situations (click here to view), so this week let’s take a look at what’s going on in the AL, which certainly has seen some major changes since the end of 2009. Three teams have new closers, including Detroit, who signed Jose Valverde yesterday. Let’s look at that move and all the other situations in the league:

Baltimore Orioles
Closer: Mike Gonzalez
Coming from the Braves where he shared closing duties with Rafael Soriano, Gonzalez will get the opportunity to be “the man” in Baltimore. While some may question why the Orioles needed a player like Gonzalez, as long as he stays healthy he should be a solid late-round source of saves for fantasy owners. Of course, there’s no guarantee that he can stay healthy, meaning Jason Johnson and Koji Uehara could see opportunities.

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Boston Red Sox
Closer: Jonathan Papelbon
He’s emerged as a Top-Five closer with a career ERA of 1.84 and WHIP of 0.98. The Red Sox have plenty of options, should something happen to Papelbon, with Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard, and Michael Bowden all slated to be in the bullpen in ‘10. My money would be on Bard, he of the high-90s fastball and 16.31 K/9 at Triple-A last season.

Chicago White Sox
Closer: Bobby Jenks
People want to believe that Jenks is going to be replaced at some point. Some didn’t believe he would enter 2010 as the closer, with rumors of being non-tendered flying around. At this point he’s still there and he should remain the closer in Chicago. His struggles were tied to his HR/9, going from 0.44 to 1.52. I wouldn’t expect him to repeat a 17.0 percent HR/FB, meaning he should return to being a solid option in all formats. If he were to struggle, newly signed J.J. Putz, if healthy, would appear to be the logical choice though Matt Thornton (four saves in ‘09) and Scott Linebrink could also get a few chances as well.

Cleveland Indians
Closer: Kerry Wood
Wood struggled last season, with his control going up in smoke (2.44 BB/9 in ‘08 jumping to 4.58 last season). His career BB/9 is 4.27 and while part of that was as a starting pitcher, it still is a big concern. If the team removes him before the year is out, Jess Todd (who had 24 saves at Triple-A for the Cardinals) is the man to watch.

Detroit Tigers
Closer: Jose Valverde
Yesterday’s news brings stability to the back end of the Tigers bullpen. Without Valverde, it would have been Joel Zumaya closing games, but the chances of him staying healthy are pretty nonexistent. He may be the second option, though newly acquired Daniel Schlereth is also potentially in line, if he can keep his control in order. The only way one of the other two gets a look, however, is if Valverde misses time due to injury.

Kansas City Royals
Closer: Joakim Soria
Over the past two years he’s shown that he is one of the elite closers in the game, with 72 saves, 135 Ks, and ERAs of 1.60 and 2.21 over 120.1 innings. As long as he’s on the diamond, he’s a must-own option in all formats and no other relief pitchers matter on this team.

Los Angeles Angels
Closer: Brian Fuentes
There were certainly questions, at times, if the Angels made a major mistake letting Francisco Rodriguez walk, replacing him with Fuentes. While he had 48 saves, it just goes to show you that the Angels play more close games than any other team. It certainly doesn’t show his true talent. With Fernando Rodney joining the fold, he’s clearly the guy who would step in if there is a need.

Minnesota Twins
Closer: Joe Nathan
Since 2004, his season low is 36 saves. He’s never blown more than six in a season and he’s only done that once. He has career marks of 9.43 (K/9), 2.75 (ERA), and 1.11 (WHIP). He’s a stud closer, and there’s nothing else to say.

New York Yankees
Closer: Mariano Rivera
He’s the best at what he does. We all know that, but sooner or later his time has got to come to an end. It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do with Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, because whichever one is in the bullpen will be the likely heir apparent. Either could end up being a source of vulture saves if the Yankees choose to test them or give Rivera a rest (which is certainly possible if they have multiple save chances in a row), so keep a close eye on this if you are desperate for any save possible.

Oakland Athletics
Closer: Andrew Bailey
Bailey was fantastic last season, there’s no way around that, but I urge you to temper your expectations. It was just a year ago that it was Brad Ziegler, coming off an amazing rookie campaign, who was expected to take the closer's role and run with it. Instead he had a horrible May, leading to Bailey taking the job and never looking back. Ziegler did get straightened out and, if Bailey struggles at all, could once again get a look at closing games.

Seattle Mariners
Closer: David Aardsma
Mediocre relief pitcher turned stud closer? I’m not buying it and I wouldn’t put much into him having another stellar season. The Mariners don’t have an obvious option to replace him, though Mark Lowe and Sean White may be the leaders.

Tampa Bay Rays
Closer: Rafael Soriano
He may have to compete for the job, with J.P. Howell as his main competition, but I find it hard to believe the Rays would acquire a pitcher making $7.5 million just to use him in a setup role. Soriano has been a solid relief pitcher his entire career and is coming off a career high 12.13 K/9. With ample opportunities, he could be a real sleeper for saves.

Texas Rangers
Closer: Frank Francisco
The Rangers are 100 percent committed to him as the closer and they displayed that every step in 2009. He was on the DL three separate times, yet every time, no matter what C.J. Wilson did, he was given back the closer's role before long. Even after allowing six earned runs in just 0.2 innings against the Red Sox on 8/14, they kept him in the job and were rewarded for it. While Wilson may get a few vulture save opportunities, especially with Francisco’s questionable health, Francisco is a solid option in all formats.

Toronto Blue Jays
Closer: Jason Frasor
The Blue Jays have several people who could step in and get chances, including Scott Downs, Brian Tallet, and Jeremy Accardo. That’s not even to mention Brandon Morrow or David Purcey, both of which could end up in the bullpen before long. Yeah, Frasor may get the first shot, but he’s far from a lock to hold the job all year long.

What are your thoughts on the AL closing situations? Who is most at risk? Who could surprisingly emerge?

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