Fantasy Baseball 2012: 13 Closers You Shouldn't Have Drafted

Many people who play fantasy baseball follow the theory "don't draft saves." After taking a look at this slideshow, you'll have a pretty clear picture of why.

The incredible volatility at the closer role makes it virtually impossible to predict from year to year who will be successful in collecting saves.

The 13 relief pitchers in this slideshow were highly drafted at one point, but due to injury or ineffectiveness won't be delivering on the high expectations their owners had coming out of the draft. That's almost half the closers in the league when spring training started.

It's better to think of saves more as a stat you scramble for than a stat you draft for.

Ryan Madson: Cincinnati Reds

Ryan Madson was a great acquisition by the Reds when he was signed and early drafters had him among the top closers. Unfortunately for him and his owners, he has not and will not pitch in a game this year after tearing a ligament in his right elbow. 

Joakim Soria: Kansas City Royals

Soria will miss the entire season as well, after having Tommy John surgery in early April. The Royals were a popular preseason pick, but the Soria injury became one of the first steps in their early-season swoon.

Brian Wilson: San Francisco Giants

Brian Wilson and his beard started the season, but he'll be sidelined the rest of the year after Tommy John surgery.

He appeared in only two games this season, securing one save with an ERA of 9.00.

Andrew Bailey: Boston Red Sox

Bailey was acquired by the Red Sox to replace the Philadelphia-bound Jonathan Papelbon in a trade with the Oakland Athletics. 

Bailey was injured during spring training. Although he's not out for the year, he isn't expected back until around the All-Star break after undergoing surgery for a ligament injury in his thumb.

Mariano Rivera: New York Yankees

Even many Yankees fans didn't know about Mariano Rivera's pregame ritual of shagging fly balls in the outfield until May 3. While Rivera was trying to make a catch, he landed awkwardly on his knee and tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee.

So far this season, Mo had five saves and a 1-1 record in nine appearances while striking out eight and allowing two runs. 

He's most likely out for the rest of the season.

Huston Street: San Diego Padres

Huston Street joined the ranks of the injured closers after heading to the DL May 5. An MRI revealed no significant structural damage, but he's still going to miss at least a couple of weeks of save opportunities.

Sergio Santos: Toronto Blue Jays

Acquired in a trade with the White Sox, Santos was expected to be the closer for the Blue Jays and a very nice sleeper pick in most fantasy leagues.

He struggled early allowing five runs in five innings and only collecting two saves in six appearances. After those six games, Santos headed for the DL April 22 with a shoulder injury and is not expected to return until late May.

Drew Storen: Washington Nationals

Storen had minor elbow surgery on April 11 and is hoping to return around the All-Star break. He had bone fragments removed and is reportedly recovering well and may be ahead of schedule.

The next save he gets will be his first, as the injury cropped up at the end of training camp before he appeared in even one game for the Nats.

Kyle Farnsworth: Tampa Bay Rays

Farnsworth landed on the DL at the beginning of the season with an elbow strain and has yet to pitch for Tampa yet this season.

He's scheduled to resume throwing soon but is ineligible to come off the 60-day DL until June 5. He may or may not resume his closer duties, but he's another player that was drafted as a closer who hasn't produced anything for his fantasy owners.

Heath Bell: Miami Marlins

Bell signed a three-year, $27 million contract this offseason after years of success in San Diego. The former All-Star was in almost everyone's top 10 closers coming into the year.

Manager Ozzie Guillen took his job away after he blew his fourth save in seven chances on Friday, May 4 against his former team, the Padres. His ERA was 11.42 ERA.

Carlos Marmol: Chicago Cubs

The Cubs closer coming into the year was Carlos Marmol, who may thought was due to put it together and join the "elite" group of closers...

Not so much, unfortunately. As of May 4, Marmol was demoted to sixth- and seventh-inning work. He had two saves while a closer but gave up a total of eight runs in 8.2 innings through his first 13 games.

Hector Santiago: Chicago White Sox

After winning the job in camp, Santiago proceeded to disappoint Sox fans and fantasy owners alike with his 7.36 ERA and four saves in his first eight games. 

Chris Sale returned to the 'pen to close, and Santiago is now in middle relief.

Jordan Walden: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Walden only blew one save before losing the job, but had posted a disappointing 8.31 ERA over 4.1 innings. 

He could eventually return to the closer role, but is pitching middle relief for now.