Fantasy Baseball Closers' Report: National League

Last week we checked out the American League closers (click here to view), so this week we turn to the National League (all stats given are through Monday):

Arizona Diamondbacks, Chad Qualls

He’s allowed five earned runs in his last 5.2 innings, to go along with nine hits, no walks, and one strikeout. Those are dicey numbers, but with 23 Ks and 4 BBs over 22.2 innings, it's just a blip on the radar. 

Continue to use him with confidence right now, but I’d monitor him to make sure this cold spell doesn’t last much longer.

Atlanta Braves, Mike Gonzalez or Rafael Soriano

It appeared that Mike Gonzalez had finally stepped up and taken control of the closer situation, but last night he was throwing the eighth with Soriano in the ninth. 

Bobby Cox continues to flip-flop the duo, so both will continue to have value for the time being.

Chicago Cubs, Kevin Gregg

I know he’s struggled and I know everyone wants to see Carlos Marmol take over the job, but he hasn’t been so dominant either. While he has a 3.67 ERA, he has walked 27 batters over 27 innings. 

That’s unacceptable from any relief pitcher, but especially from your closer and we all know Lou Piniella has no patience for pitchers who hand out numerous free passes.  Despite his 4.62 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, it would appear Gregg is going to hold down the job, at least for the near future. 

Cincinnati Reds, Francisco Cordero

He has one of the most secure jobs in baseball, with David Weathers the closest thing the Reds have to a potential alternative. He’s been great this season, making him one of the better NL closers available.

Colorado Rockies, Huston Street

Will he be a Rockie by August?  That appears to be the only reason he would lose his role at this point. While he has only nine saves, that’s because the Rockies simply haven’t been all that good this season. 

Manny Corpas would be the next in line, so stash him away if you are desperate for saves and are looking to take a flyer.

Florida Marlins, Matt Lindstrom 

I get the feeling that he is one blown save away from being removed from the role at this point. He’s struggled of late, giving up runs in two of his last four outings and is currently sporting a 6.17 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. 

I know he's only blown two saves, but it appears he’s skating on thin ice. Leo Nunez would be the next in line to get a chance and he is definitely worth grabbing immediately, just in case.

Houston Astros, LaTroy Hawkins

He continues to be a placeholder for the injured Jose Valverde, who could return as soon as this weekend. Don’t get any ideas of Hawkins overtaking him and stealing the job; it just isn’t going to happen. 

Hawkins has done well, but if you are in need of saves his value is going to nearly disappear shortly.

Los Angeles Dodgers, Jonathan Broxton 

What superlatives can we use to describe Broxton’s success that haven’t already been said? If the 47 strikeouts over 29 innings or his 13 saves aren’t enough, how about the six wins? 

He may be the best closer in baseball this season, which certainly says a lot.

Milwaukee Brewers, Trevor Hoffman

Did anyone tell Hoffman that at 41 he was supposed to be too old to succeed? 

After missing the early part of the season due to injury he has been among the best closers in baseball since returning. He has 15 saves, 15 K, 0.00 ERA and 0.47 WHIP in 17 innings. 

The most impressive number? His one walk. Obviously, we can’t expect this type of production all year long, but he has proven that he is still a viable option in all formats.

New York Mets, Francisco Rodriguez 

The talk of his demise was certainly premature as K-Rod has excelled in New York this season. 

He’s a perfect 15-for-15 in save opportunities and remains one of the elite closers in baseball.

Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Madson

Brad Lidge had his manager's confidence, but now finds himself on the DL, giving Madson an opportunity. 

He has been tremendous this season and is clearly worth grabbing if you are in need of some saves. Will he remain the closer once Lidge returns? 

It’s too early to tell, but Lidge has blown six saves already, if Madson is lights out it will be an interesting controversy.

Pittsburgh Pirates, Matt Capps 

Ignore the ERA (5.30), he hasn’t blown a save in nearly a month. He also has saves in four straight appearances allowing two hits and a walk in 3.1 innings.

He doesn’t strike out many batters, but is still a good option in all formats. Unless he is traded, it would appear that his job as a closer is safe, making him a little bit more appealing.

San Diego Padres, Heath Bell

He’s leading the league in saves with 17 and hasn’t arrived there solely on opportunity. 

He’s pitched exceptionally well, with a 1.42 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. 

Throw in the 31 Ks and you have yourself a solid closer in any format. 

San Francisco Giants, Brian Wilson

He has recorded a save in each of his last six outings and hasn’t allowed an earned run since May 21.

The Giants have shown no indication that they would remove Wilson from the closer’s role, and even if he hits a little bit of a rough patch or pitches to a higher-than-average WHIP. 

His numbers tell you that he is not an elite option, but his job security and the Giants propensity to play close games makes him a very appealing No. 2 option.

St. Louis Cardinals, Ryan Franklin

Now that he's grabbed this job, there doesn’t appear to be any taking it away from him. 

He’s posted an impressive 1.23 ERA and 0.77 WHIP thus far, after Jason Motte and Chris Perez were unable to maintain the job in the early going.

If he does start to struggle, Motte will likely get the first opportunity, but right now there has been no sign of that happening. 

Washington Nationals, Mike MacDougal

Yeah, he’s keeping the role warm, but does anyone really expect him to excel in the role? 

Joel Hanrahan will probably get another shot, sooner or later, but the bottom line is that the back of the bullpen has been a complete disaster this season. 

Whoever is holding the job may just be a temporary fix, so don’t consider any of them a very strong option.

What do you think of the National League closers? 

Who is the most likely to lose his job?  Which set-up man are you eyeing?

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