MLB Free Agents 2012: Heath Bell and the Top Impact Closers Available

As we saw in the playoffs and the end of the regular season, it's hard to win without a great back end of the bullpen. It's hard to have a great back end of the bullpen without a great closer.

With the exception of the St. Louis Cardinals, every team ended their season in disappointment. In truth, the Cardinals could even pay attention to closers, as their bullpen was shaky at times (but great when it needed to be).

What we're looking at here are closers that are already available. There are some other elite ones (Jose Valverde) that may become available, but they currently have either a club or a player option to stay where they currently are and avoid free agency.

These players are all free agents and should draw the attention of just about every team in the league.

Heath Bell

Bell is the crown jewel of closers in this year's free agent class. He's a bit hidden playing in San Diego, but since becoming a full closer in 2009, Bell has had seasons of 42, 47 and 43 saves.

He's got all of the tools you would ever want from a top-of-the-line closer.

The downside to Bell is that he's 34, but age isn't a huge deal with one-inning guys. He's simply the most reliable option out there. Very few teams wouldn't be improving their closer position by adding Bell.

Jonathan Papelbon

When you are part of a huge collapse, and especially a collapse in Boston, I guess it's natural that your stock is going to drop. That's just not fair.

Papelbon actually had a great season in 2011. His late-season struggles were due to the fact that Boston didn't have any depth in their starting rotation and had to deal with injuries to their front-line guys. So, when September rolled around, the entire bullpen had nothing left.

But that doesn't mean that Papelbon is a bad closer. He's nailed down 30 saves in every full season of his career. If he goes to a team that can protect him better with other relievers and better starting pitching, he'll have a tremendous 2012 season.

Ryan Madson

Madson had been one of the best setup men in the game for a few seasons. When he was called upon to close this year, he stepped in and saved 32 games.

There's really no downside to Madson. Since 2007, his worst ERA was 3.26. It's not coincidental that the Phillies have won the NL East in every one of those years.

In the last three seasons, Madson has had more strikeouts than innings pitched, which is a sign of a fantastic closer.

My guess is that he stays in Philadelphia. If he doesn't, some team will add a quality pitcher in Madson.