Fantasy Baseball 2012: The 15 Best Relievers To Earn You Holds

For those getting ready to draft for a fantasy baseball league, one of the categories that they often overlook is holds. Those in a head-to-head league get just as much benefit from winning the holds category as they do for winning the home runs category.

Just because holds are not the sexiest stat out there, it does not mean that fantasy players should look past them. Winning the holds category every week could be a big help.

There are a number of relievers out there that should be expected to pick up a number of holds this season.

15) Rafael Soriano

Last season was not a great one for Rafael Soriano. He struggled throughout the year, but he still managed to record 23.

That number should increase in 2012 as Soriano returns to his normal self. Soriano should eclipse 30 holds this season.

14) David Hernandez

David Hernandez took a big step forward in 2011 and he surprised many people with his performance. He racked up 23 holds in the process.

Hernandez played a big role in the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen and he even had 11 saves last year. 2012 should be another good season for Hernandez.

13) Kerry Wood

Kerry Wood is currently a free agent, but wherever he signs, he will be able to collect a number of holds as a setup man.

Wood had 21 holds with the Chicago Cubs in 2011. He is not the starter that he once showed the promise to be, but Wood is a good reliever.

12) Chad Qualls

With Heath Bell out and Huston Street in for the San Diego Padres, Chad Qualls likely will not see his role change at all in 2012.

Qualls will be the setup man for the Padres and will be an important bridge to Street. He had 22 holds in 2011 and should have a similar number in 2012.

11) Tony Sipp

Tony Sipp is carving out a nice niche in the Cleveland Indians bullpen and he could eventually find himself in a closer role with a different team.

For now, Sipp will pick up a number of holds as a member of the Indians bullpen. Sipp recorded 24 holds during the 2011 season.

10) Jesse Crain

It appears that Jesse Crain will be given the chance to win the closer's role for the Chicago White Sox in 2012. However, Addison Reed could also win that role.

Reed is considered to be the closer of the future and Crain could stay in the setup role. If that is the case, then Crain should get at least as many as the 24 holds he had in 2011.

9) Sean Marshall

The Cincinnati Reds are planning on using Sean Marshall as a setup man for the time being, but he could become the team's closer.

For now, Marshall is a great option for holds. He had 34 holds last season.

8) Jose Veras

After bouncing around the major leagues and having some struggles with all of the teams that he was with, Jose Veras finally found success with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Veras was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers this winter and he should have the same role there. Pitching for a better team will give him more hold opportunities. Veras had 27 holds in 2011.

7) Sergio Romo

Right now, Brian Wilson is one of the best closers in the game. He has one of baseball's best setup men holding leads for him.

Sergio Romo was lights-out for the San Francisco Giants in 2011. He had a 1.50 ERA and he recorded 23 holds in 2011.

6) Scott Downs

Scott Downs was absolutely dominant in his first season with the Los Angeles Angels. He had a 1.34 ERA and 26 holds.

Downs should get even more opportunities to pitch with the lead after the signings that the Angels made this winter.

5) Joaquin Benoit

After missing the 2009 season, Joaquin Benoit became a new pitcher. He was a great reliever for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010 and then the Detroit Tigers in 2011.

Benoit picked up 29 holds pitching out of the Tigers bullpen last season. If the team can play just as well this year, Benoit could break the 30-hold mark.

4) Eric O'Flaherty

Saying Eric O'Flaherty had a good season in 2011 would be an understatement. He had a 0.98 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP.

O'Flaherty had 32 holds to go along with his other great numbers in 2011. He should be able to pick up at least 30 holds once again this season.

3) Jonny Venters

The Atlanta Braves bullpen was outstanding in 2011. Jonny Venters was a key piece of it along with Eric O'Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel.

Venters was second in baseball with 35 holds in 2011. He could match this number again in 2012.

2) David Robertson

David Robertson was so good in 2011 that he got one vote in the 2011 American League Cy Young voting. He had a 1.08 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 66.2 innings.

Robertson collected 34 holds in 2011. With Mariano Rivera closing out games, the leads that Robertson holds onto are very safe.

1) Tyler Clippard

Tyler Clippard led baseball with 38 holds in 2011. The Washington Nationals' setup man was outstanding in his role.

Clippard did a great job of protecting leads so that Drew Storen could close out games. With the Nationals roster seeing a few improvements, Clippard should get a few more leads to protect in 2012.