Fantasy Baseball 2011: Fantasy Closers Report, American League Edition

Let’s take a look at the current closing situations around the American League (the next edition will focus on the National League):

AL East

• Baltimore Orioles
  Closer: Kevin Gregg; Next In Line: Koji Uehara, Mike Gonzalez
  Gregg’s hold on the closer’s role may be tenuous, long-term, with Uehara proving capable in 2010 (13 saves in 15 chances). It is worth keeping a close eye on, and those desperate for saves should be stashing Uehara just in case. Gregg certainly wasn’t overly impressive in his first save opportunity, allowing one hit and one walk in his inning of work.
• Boston Red Sox
  Closer: Jonathan Papelbon, Next In Line: Daniel Bard
  Bard’s terrible season debut (0.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 K) likely took a little bit of the immediate pressure off Papelbon. Yes, Bobby Jenks is there as well, but Papelbon should get a little bit of rope in the early going (despite giving up a run in a non-save situation on Sunday, he did bounce back to strikeout the side with the bases loaded). There’s no real reason to doubt him holding the job all year long, though it certainly isn’t a given either.
• New York Yankees
  Closer: Mariano Rivera, Next In Line: Rafael Soriano
  We all know the scenario on this one. Rivera is as locked in as a closer as there is, though the Yankees will likely try to limit his exposure. That will mean not too many back-to-back-to-back-type appearances, meaning Soriano will get some chances here and there. He’s not a big-time source of saves, but those who are desperate can consider him.
• Tampa Bay Rays
  Closer: ?, Next In Line: Jake McGee, Kyle Farnsworth
  There is still no clear-cut option in Tampa Bay, though I still like McGee to ultimately win the job. We’ll have to keep a close eye on this one, but this is clearly a committee situation for the time being. McGee got burnt by a three-run home run to Brian Roberts (though only one run was charged to him) on Saturday, though who knows if that will have any influence for now. In the early going, Farnsworth is likely the guy to use, but keep McGee stashed in all formats.
• Toronto Blue Jays
  Closer: Jon Rauch, Next In Line: N/A
  Until Octavio Dotel and Frank Francisco return from injuries, Rauch is locked in as the team’s closer. What will happen when they return? That’s anyone’s guess at this point. Considering none of the three options are overwhelming, if Rauch pitches well over the first few weeks there is no reason to think that the Blue Jays won’t just stick with him (though he did himself no favors by allowing a home run to Denard Span on Sunday). For the immediate future, he’s a must-own option (with Francisco and Dotel worth stashing if you are in need of some saves long-term).

AL Central

• Chicago White Sox
  Closer: Matt Thornton, Next In Line: Chris Sale/Sergio Santos
  It was once thought that if Thornton was to struggle, Sale would be a cinch to take over ninth-inning duties. Is that really such a given anymore? Sale did allow two hits in his first appearance (0.1 innings), but bounced back with a perfect 1.1 innings in his second outing. We’ll keep a close eye on this one, though until Thornton shows signs of struggling we won’t really know which direction the White Sox are leaning.
• Cleveland Indians
  Closer: Chris Perez, Next In Line: Rafael Perez
  C. Perez should be a solid option, despite an unrealistic .236 BABIP in 2010. He should see an improved strikeout rate (8.71 K/9 in ’10 vs. a minor league career mark of 12.02), which goes a long way in avoiding problems with the luck metrics. C. Perez is the Indians' closer of the future, meaning he should have an awfully long leash.
• Detroit Tigers
  Closer: Jose Valverde, Next In Line: Joaquin Benoit
  There is little chance that Benoit gets a look as the closer, especially since it is unlikely that he replicates his performance from 2010 (.192 BABIP, 95.1 percent strand rate). Valverde is one of the better closers in the game, bringing significant strikeout potential. For the past four seasons he’s brought a strikeout rate of at least 9.0, a WHIP of 1.18 or worse and an ERA no higher than 3.38. There’s little not to like.
• Kansas City Royals
  Closer: Joakim Soria, Next In Line: Robinson Tejeda
  He may not pitch for the best team, but he’s one of the elite closers in the game. There is no chance that, if healthy, he loses his stranglehold on the job. That certainly increases his value, doesn’t it?
• Minnesota Twins
  Closer: Joe Nathan, Next In Line: Matt Capps
  The Twins have said that the two will share closer duties early on, but despite a terrible spring, there is no questioning the fact that the team wants Nathan to have the job. However, he certainly needs to pitch significantly better than he did yesterday (1.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 0 K). It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out, but both pitchers should be owned in all formats.

AL West

• Los Angeles Angels
  Closer: Fernando Rodney, Next In Line: Hisanori Takahashi, Jordan Walden
  We all know that Rodney is far from a certainty (as seen by his blown save on Sunday, allowing two ER on one H and three BB in 0.1 innings). Exactly who is going to step in to take over as closer? It could be Hisanori Takahashi, but Jordan Walden is the better long-term solution. He’s allowed just one hit and one walk, striking out five, over 2.1 innings of work already this season and could get his shot before long. He’s worth stashing in all formats.
• Oakland Athletics
  Closer: Brian Fuentes, Next In Line: Grant Balfour
  Fuentes is just a filler until Andrew Bailey is healthy and ready to go. He’s a nice filler, despite allowing two runs in his first outing of the season.
• Seattle Mariners
  Closer: Brandon League, Next In Line: Chris Ray
  David Aardsma is the team’s closer when healthy, at least until he gets traded (as had been rumored over the offseason). He’s a shaky option, at best, which means League could ultimately hold down the job for much of the year. Is he any better, however?  With little strikeout potential, there certainly are much better options, even having thrown a perfect inning in his first opportunity.
• Texas Rangers
  Closer: Neftali Feliz, Next In Line: Mark Lowe
  Now that Feliz has returned to the bullpen, there is no chance that he loses the closer’s role. He is one of the elite in the game and a great option for fantasy owners.

What are your thoughts on the American League closing situations? Which of the next-in-line options do you think are worth picking up? Which closer do you think could lose his job?

Make sure to check out these other helpful articles:

• Injury Report – April 4
• Around the Majors – April 3

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