Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Temporary Closers You Should Add Immediately

If you're looking for an elite closer in fantasy baseball, then you're going to have to pay a hefty price for him. That is a price that I am rarely willing to pay, as I prefer to nab my closers later in the draft or on the waiver wire. Luckily, thanks to some late developments, there are likely some end-game pitchers available as free agents in your league.

With quite a few injuries and closer-by-committee situations, it is tough to sift through the garbage and find the gem, but any closer, no matter how poorly-known he is or how bad his team is, can be valuable. Depending upon how big your league is, there are some options out there for you, and the time to strike is now.

Here are three temporary closers that you should pounce on now, as they figure to hammer down the permanent job in no time.

Alfredo Aceves, RP, BOS

Although Alfredo Aceves didn't get off to the best start as the Boston Red Sox' closer, there is reason to believe that he will excel in the role. Aceves technically gave up the winning run to the Detroit Tigers in Boston's opener, but Mark Melancon had loaded up the bases, so he came into a tough situation with the game tied.

Aceves' numbers weren't impacted at all, and he still appears to have a firm grip on the job as Andrew Bailey could miss four-to-five months.

Aceves has been a jack of all trades during his career, playing  the role of starter, long-man, middle-man, setup-man and now a closer. He may not have prototypical closer stuff—he is more of a pitcher than a thrower—but Aceves has performed in every role he has been handed, so there is no reason to believe this will be any different. To make matters better, his closest competition for the job is Melancon, and he is truly the won who cost the Sox the game on Thursday.

Jonathan Broxton, RP, KC

Joakim Soria was once one of the premier closers in the game, but after a rough 2011 season, he will miss all of 2012 due to Tommy John surgery. That opens up a desirable spot at closer since many of the Kansas City Royals' wins tend to be close. The Royals won't win many games, but that doesn't mean much as run differential is ultimately what decides whether a closer gets a lot of chances to save games. An official replacement hasn't been announced, but all signs point to it being former Los Angeles Dodgers-closer Jonathan Broxton.

Broxton looked to be an elite closer a couple seasons ago when he saved 36 games and had an ERA of 2.61, but the wheels have come off since, especially last season, as he lost his closing job due to a bloated 5.68 ERA. Broxton has been fantastic this spring, however, and may have just needed a change of scenery. He has Greg Holland and Aaron Crow nipping at his heels, but Broxton has the benefit of experience closing games in the past.

Sean Marshall, RP, CIN

Although he was likely scooped up in many leagues, new Cincinnati Reds closer Sean Marshall may still be available in yours. The Reds signed Ryan Madson to fill that role during the offseason, but he will miss the entire year. It was thought that fire-baller Aroldis Chapman might be the replacement, but Marshall has proven to be a stronger overall pitcher out of the bullpen and by virtue of that, he will get the first crack at it.

Marshall closed out five games last season for the Chicago Cubs, but this will be his first extended action as a stopper. Marshall has had an ERA of 2.65 or lower in each of the past two seasons and has struck out over a batter-per-inning during that time, so he has the control and the stuff to thrive. The Reds figure to be a .500 team, so Marshall will have his fair share of chances, and since it seems like he has the job all to himself, he should pitch without looking over his shoulder.