2010 Fantasy Baseball Early Closer Rankings ~ Take A Closer Look

Can Lidge stay focused in Philly?

Closers are perhaps the bane of fantasy baseball. While they can help in a few categories they really are only useful in one, and that’s Saves. The almighty Save, one stat of 10 or more, but we enter every draft knowing three things about closers;

1)  there are only 30 of them to be had

2) most of them will be replaced at some point during the season due to trade, injury or poor performance

3) every season new closers will emerge out of nowhere and it’s a guessing game to pick who they might be.

So that begs the question, where should one draft a Closer, or what strategy should you use in doing so? The simple answer is, there is no simple answer. There are too many variables for drafting this position. But here are a few thoughts:

1) Never draft a relief pitcher earlier than the 6th round, not even the elite ones, because even the best closer in the game can’t impact your score as much as a solid offensive producer or quality starting pitcher.

2) If you grab an elite closer, wait and grab a middle or later round closer, then take a flyer on a 3rd late, even if it’s just a prospect chomping at the bit. Don’t waste an early pick grabbing a second elite closer. It’s a sure fire way to kill your team.

3) Let someone else pay a premium for the elite game stoppers and grab two middle-round solid closers, then pick up a high upside guy late.

4) Always remember, closers are the most coveted position, and most overvalued. Don’t over pay or over play.

5) Follow the flow of the draft and adjust your closer plan as it unfolds. An elite closer run could happen early, or one could slip to you late. Be prepared to adapt your game plan to the flow of the draft and you’ll be better prepared to make the right call.

In the end, follow your gut. Do what feels right to you. Advice is simply one person’s opinion, hopefully based on solid experience, but it’s never more important than your own.

The following rankings may change dramatically as spring training unfolds, as they seem to every season, and we will endeavor to update them frequently. Just know that things can change in the time it takes me to finish this article.

Key:

JS = Job Security –  Good, Fair, Poor

In Bold = Guys I’m high on in 2010

	Tier 1	Team	JS	Successor in Waiting	One Liners
1	Joe Broxton	LAD	G	George Sherrill	Safe a bet as it gets
2	Mariano Rivera	NYY	G	Phil Hughes	Getting older, but the saves are always there
3	Joe Nathan	MIN	G	Matt Guerrier	How will the new park effect him?
4	Jonathan Papelbon	BOS	G	Daniel Bard	Flyballs and walk stats rising
5	Joakim Soria	KCC	G	Kyle Farnsworth	Similar line to Papelbon at a better price
6	Francisco Rodriguez	NYM	G	Kelvim Escobar	3.71 ERA in ‘09. Ouch
	Tier 2
7	Billy Wagner	ATL	F	Takashi Saito	My leap of faith in his ability and recovery
8	Heath Bell	SD	F	Edward Mujica	Likely to be traded by all-star break
9	Andrew Bailey	OAK	F	Brad Zeigler	Can he avoid a sophomore slump?
10	Francisco Cordero	CIN	G	Nick Massett	Not flashy, but safe
11	Huston Street	COL	P	Franklin Morales	Let someone else assume the risk
12	Brian Fuentes	ANA	F	Fernando Rodney	Lots of saves, but he’ll give you a stroke
13	Brian Wilson	SF	F	Jeremy Affeldt	Somehow gets it done
14	Jose Valverde	DET	P	Joel Zumaya	Could be a nice surprise comeback
15	Trevor Hoffman	MIL	G	LaTroy Hawkins	Old reliable, emphasis on old
	Tier 3
16	Chad Qualls	ARI	F	Juan Gutierrez	Should be ready by opening day
17	Rafael Soriano	TB	F	JP Howell	Injury concern, but great stuff
18	Brad Lidge	PHI	P	Ryan Madson	Plays better in even years, risk/reward
19	Bobby Jenks	CHW	F	Matt Thornton	He’s not getting much love this season
20	Ryan Franklin	STL	F	Kyle McClellan	Solid and safe pick, LaRussa likes his vets
21	Carlos Marmol	CHC	F	Angel Guzman	Cardiac kid can throw the heat
22	Frank Francisco	TEX	P	C.J. Wilson	He still has the job…somehow
23	Octavio Dotel	PIT	F	Joel Hanrahan	Could be a steal this season
24	Kerry Wood	CLE	F	Chris Perry	Perry will take over sometime this season
	Tier 4
25	Jason Frasor	TOR	P	Kevin Gregg	If Frasor can keep Gregg at bay…
26	David Aardsma	SEA	F	Mark Lowe	I just don’t like this guy, but a save’s a save
27	Matt Lidstrom	HOU	P	Brandon Lyon	Handcuff these two
28	Mike Gonzalez	BAL	P	Jim Johnson	Desperation saves
29	Leo Nunez	FLA	P	Dan Meyer	Desperation saves
30	Matt Capps	WAS	P	Brian Bruney	Desperation saves

Catcher Rankings 1-10
Catcher Rankings 11-20 and Sleepers
OF Rankings 1-10

Take a look at even more 2010 fantasy rankings and articles…

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Second Base
Third Base
Shortstop
National League Pitchers
American League Pitchers
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