Fantasy Baseball: Positional Rankings - Closers

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Welcome to the final category of the Fan Fanatic Sports fantasy baseball breakdown. I will send you all a hearty good luck in your fantasy season as the 2010 season begins this Sunday night in Boston. If you know me, then you know that the closer is my least favorite fantasy position. I kind of liken it to a kicker in fantasy football. If you have one of the elite's than that's fantastic, but if not, you can always find one, or two during the season. Year in and year out, there are always closers who start the season in the position lose their jobs. The reverse can be said as well. Every season some unknown puts up 20+ saves.

The Top 20:

1. Mariano Rivera - Yankees

2. Jonathon Papelbon - Red Sox

3. Jonathon Broxton - Dodgers

4. Brian Wilson - Giants

5. David Aardsma - Mariners

6. Huston Street - Rockies

7. Heath Bell - Padres

8. Francisco Cordero - Reds

9. Carlos Marmol - Cubs

10. Francisco Rodriguez - Mets

11. Brian Fuentes - Angels

12. Joakim Soria - Royals

13. Jose Valverde - Tigers

14. Adam Bailey - A's

15. Ryan Franklin - Cardinals

16. Trevor Hoffman - Brewers

17. Billy Wagner - Braves

18. Rafael Soriano - Rays

19. Brad Lidge - Phillies

20. Bobby Jenks - White Sox

The Elite:

Until Mariano Rivera has a bad year, he'll be tops on my list. This guy is the best closer in the history of baseball, and should be a first ballot hall of famer. He still pitches for the best team in baseball, so you can bank on 35+ saves. I actually surprised myself by putting Papelbon at the #2 slot. He's got to prove he can bounce back from a poor 09' season. I also think the Sox offense will put them in a lot more close and late games. Speaking of close and late games, let's talk about Jonathon Broxton and the Dodgers. They have a very good lineup, but their pitching has a serious lack of depth in the rotation.

The 2nd Tier:
Despite the hatred I have for the SF Giants, you have to appreciate the job Brian Wilson has done for them. He has 79 saves the past two seasons and dropped his ERA by almost two full runs from 2008. He was rewarded a week ago with a nice extension. After him there are so many closers that are about the same. Some of those guys are Huston Street, David Aardsma, and Heath Bell. Just remember, you can always find a closer.

On the Rise:

Chris Perez - Now that Kerry Wood will miss the first 6 weeks of the season, Perez is the man for the Indians. If you can pick him up, he may not be just a fill in due to Wood's inconsistency.

Mattt Guerrier - Unless the Twins make a trade for a closer, he's my pick to take a strangle hold on the position. He's had an ERA under 3.50 for 4 out of the past 5 seasons. He isn't a strike out pitcher, but had a very nice WHIP of 0.97 in 2009.

LaTroy Hawkins - He'll start out as a set up man for the Brewers, but you never know when Trevor Hoffman will start showing his age. I'd keep an eye out for him as the season goes on.

On the Slide/Watch out:

Andrew Bailey - Bailey, the rookie of the year last year, starts out the season banged up. He may be ready for opening day, but I never trust a pitcher who a career high in innings the previous year and has a bad elbow.

Trevor Hoffman - I know I'll catch some flack for putting Hoffman here. I'm not saying he's going to have a bad year, but he does bear some watching. He is 42 years old! He had a great season last year, but how long can he keep putting numbers up.

Brandon Lyon - I am not sure what the Astros were thinking when they handed Lyon a three year deal during the off season. It looks like he lost the closers job to Matt Lindstrom with a very poor spring.

Well, everyone I hope you all enjoyed the rankings. Good luck in your fantasy draft!