Fantasy Baseball: Why Reaching for Saves Doesn't Make Sense

Ryan LesterMay 31, 2011

Leo Nunez leads all closers with 18 saves. He was considered one of the shakier closers heading into the season. J.J. Putz has 16, followed by Francisco Rodriguez and Craig Kimbrel with 15. K-Rod was the only one considered a top end closer, but even he had question marks thanks to his clubhouse drama last year.

Brandon League, Joel Hanrahan and Chris Perez all have 14. That trio wasn’t expected to start the year with so many saves. Brian Wilson and Huston Street, who also have 14, join K-Rod as highly rated closers headed into the year that are in the top nine in saves.

Mariano Rivera, who some (including myself) thought would have a lighter workload, has 13 saves. Jose Valverde, Heath Bell and John Axford also have 13 to make up a tie for 10th place.

Some highly rated closers like Jonathan Papelbon and Carlos Marmol only have 10. Jonathan Broxton, Joe Nathan, and Joakim Soria are already out of a job. Andrew Bailey just can’t get healthy. Neftali Felix has dealt with injuries.

The list goes on.

Meanwhile Jordan Walden comes out of nowhere to collect 12 saves already for the Angels. Ryan Madson wasn’t the first choice when Brad Lidge went down, but he has 12 as well. Brian Fuentes has 11 for the A’s, but even he lost his gig before Bailey came back.

Kyle Farnsworth and Drew Storen seized control of their closer by committee situations. Fernando Salas is the current leader in the clubhouse for the Cardinals’ turbulent closer situation. Sergio Santos emerged as the White Sox’ top closing option despite not being one of their top two choices heading into the year.

I’m not saying that you should avoid closers in fantasy drafts, but don’t chase for them. They are the most volatile position in baseball. If you are active on the waiver wire and can stay ahead of the game, you can still be a player in the saves category without compromising your team elsewhere.