Top 15 Fantasy Baseball Closers For 2010: Injury Fallout

Closer has been an extremely volatile position this spring, with several of the more secure closers going down to a variety of injuries.  Let’s take a look at how the fallout affects our rankings:

1. Jonathan Broxton - Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Mariano Rivera - New York Yankees
3. Joakim Soria - Kansas City Royals
4. Jonathan Papelbon - Boston Red Sox
5. Francisco Rodriguez - New York Mets
6. Heath Bell - San Diego Padres
7. Brian Wilson - San Francisco Giants
8. Jose Valverde - Detroit Tigers
9. Billy Wagner - Atlanta Braves
10. Andrew Bailey - Oakland Athletics
11. Frank Francisco - Texas Rangers
12. Huston Street - Colorado Rockies
13. Trevor Hoffman - Milwaukee Brewers
14. Rafael Soriano - Tampa Bay Rays
15. Francisco Cordero - Cincinnati Reds

Thoughts:

• Obviously, the news that Joe Nathan will be undergoing Tommy John Surgery creates a big hole in the backend of the Twins bullpen.  They’ll likely try to fill the void with a myriad of middle relievers, but the long-term solution could be sitting at Triple-A (click here for our look at John Slama from yesterday).
• Huston Street’s injury cost him his Top 10 spot, but with good news coming from the MRI he shouldn’t be expected to miss much time.  Don’t drop him far down your draft board.
• The other closer injury news is Kerry Wood.  Of course, nothing changes on this list because of it due to him not being a Top 15 closer, but it’s still worth noting.  Chris Perez becomes a good source of saves over the first month or two of the season (or potentially beyond) if you are in need of some help there.

What about you?  What are your thoughts on these rankings?  Who do you think is missing?

If you would like to see a free preview of the Rotoprofessor 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide (available for just $5) now including a Top 50 Prospects for 2010 List, click here .

Make sure to check out our 2010 yearly league rankings:

• Catchers
• First Basemen
• Second Basemen
• Third Basemen
• Shortstops
• Outfielders
• Designated Hitters
• Starting Pitchers

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