Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012: Legit Closers You Can Steal Late

While the value of closers is vastly overrated in reality, when you are talking about fantasy baseball, it is impossible to underestimate their value to your team. That being said, unless you want to spend an early-round pick on an elite one, you are going to be scrambling to plug the hole in your bullpen.

Considering the way that pitchers shift in and out of the closer's role, it is not a difficult position to fill. There are plenty of options out there for you to get without paying a premium price. 

Here are the best late-round closer options for you to keep in mind when you are piecing together your fantasy team. 

Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays

In the past, if Farnsworth was going to be used as a closer, that was your cue to stay away from him. However, in typical Tampa fashion, he was plucked off the scrap heap last year and had one of the best seasons of his career. 

With a more potential lineup for the Rays and what will likely be the most dominant starting pitching in baseball, the numbers for Farnsworth could be off the charts this year. 

At the very least, he should be able to duplicate his performance from 2011—25 saves in 57.2 innings pitched. 

The Rays are going to win a lot of close games, which means there will be plenty of save opportunities for Farnsworth to appease fantasy owners. 

Joe Nathan, Texas Rangers

For the last two years, the closer's role in Texas has been occupied by Neftali Feliz. However, the team has now decided—smartly, I might add—to try Feliz as a starter, which has opened the door for someone else. 

They signed Nathan early in the offseason to take over the job, and he could be one of the most valuable fantasy players due to his low draft stock. 

He struggled last season with Minnesota, but he was also working his way back from Tommy John surgery. The odds of him being the dominant closer he was from 2004-2009 are slim, but he doesn't have to be that pitcher to be a great addition to your team. 

Grant Balfour, Oakland A's

Of the three closers on this list, Balfour is the riskiest bet to live up to his potential. This is simply because the A's are rebuilding and are not going to win a lot of games. 

Looking at the glass half-full, the A's new business plan could work in Balfour's and your favor. While they are not going to win a lot of blowout games, this will give him chances to get a lot of saves. 

Balfour has always been a good strikeout reliever to have on your roster, but if you add the closer's role on top of that, he could be a Top-15 closer. 

All of this is dependent on Balfour actually being named the A's closer, which is not likely to happen for at least two more weeks when spring games start. 

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