Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012: Closers You Can Steal at the End of Your Draft

Outside of the handful of guys who have established themselves as the elite closers in baseball, finding a reliable one is a near-impossible task.

Closers get hurt; they develop injuries—physical and psychological—that wreak havoc, particularly down the stretch of this long, long season. Just in case the top-of-the-line closer you select gets hurt, there are guys who should be available in the later rounds who can serve as suitable replacements until your sure-fire option is available again.

When backup and relief pitching becomes a priority at the tail end of your draft, here's a look at a few closers you can pick up for security.

Kyle Farnsworth, RP, Tampa Bay Rays

Though he hasn't been able to cement himself as one of the game's lights-out closers, Farnsworth had 25 saves last year, a 2.19 ERA, 51 Ks and 12 walks. As he continued to perfect his cutter in 2011, his effectiveness drastically improved, and playing in front of a great defense in Tampa Bay, he is still a worthy selection at closer.

Something that has skeptics shying away from Farnsworth is the fact that he's 35 and seems to be finally coming into his own. Still, in 2012, Farnsworth should be able to attain at least 30 saves, with a slightly increased ERA and more strikeouts.

Joe Nathan, RP, Texas Rangers

There are some concerns with Nathan, and not only because he's entering his second season since undergoing Tommy John surgery after a sub-par bounce-back year. He's going from Minnesota to Texas, where he'll be playing in a new park that isn't as conducive to fly-ball pitchers such as himself. He allows fly balls to almost 50 percent of hitters who put the ball in play.

One big positive with Nathan is that he continued to get better throughout the season last year (14 saves, 4.84 ERA, 8.66 K/9), and his fastball continued to gain velocity. In 2012, his ERA should inch down under four while his strikeouts-per-nine-innings increase to about 9.5 or a little less. He should be able to get to at least 30 saves, too.

Sean Marshall, RP, Cincinnati Reds

Marshall should start the season as the Reds' closer now that Ryan Madson will be out for the entire year with a torn elbow ligament. Though he's unproven, his numbers—2.26 relief ERA, 1.10 WHIP—make him an attractive candidate for a fill-in and someone who is more than capable of getting the job done. If he pans out, he could be a real steal.

It's always possible that transitioning into the role of the full-time closer could take its mental toll, but if Marshall succeeds, he could have 30-ish saves, an ERA just over three, a 1.15 WHIP and a K/9 mark consistent with what he put up last year (9.40).