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2007 WINTER CLOSER REPORT
Here is The Fantasy Man's 2007 Winter Closer report. I
have simply ranked the top 30 closers, for all 30 teams
while thowing in some "Waiting in the Wing-ers"
and a few Dark Horses who could shock the world the way
Huston Street did in 2005! Keep in mind that I will come
back to this at some point through the spring to update if
need be. So let's get this party started right.....
1. Francisco Rodriguez, LAA - Held an
0.55 ERA in the second half. 40+ saves again with close to
100K. Should be the best across the board this year.
2. Joe Nathan, MIN - See Francisco Rodriguez!
Down right nasty. Held hitters to a .158 average, should
be good for another 35+ saves and close to 100K.
3. Mariano Rivera, NYY - What do I need to say,
he's Mariano Rivera. I could say that his age might get
the best of him, but we all know he is a warrior. He had a
forearm thing last year so be weary of that. I'd probably
take Nathan, KRod or Ryan before I take Mo personally, but
fantasy rankings wise, he is #3. In real life, he's #1
4. B.J. Ryan, TOR - 1.37 ERA second best among
closers. Lefty, throws hard, great control. Should 35+
again this season.
5. Huston Street, OAK - 23 and no sophomore slump
last year. His 37 saves were 2nd most in the AL but his 11
blown saves held him back a bit. Don't let that fool you
though, he's as dominant as they come. Most of that was in
April and he cut his walks and increased his K rate as the
season went on. Still young with plenty of upside with
incredible stuff.
6. Trevor Hoffman, SD - Shows no signs of slowing
down. Only 39 and we can expect another 40+ saves no
questions asked.
7. Billy Wagner, NYM - If you are a Mets fan, you
know that Wagner scared you sometimes although his final
numbers indicate he was dominant...and he was, and you can
expect the same again, but living in New York, I see the
meltdowns, the media reports, interviews, etc. Forget
about my biased opinion, Wagner is a safe pick for 35+
saves and 90K.
8. Chad Cordero, WAS - After notching 47 saves in
2005, Cordero came back to earth in 2006. His
opportunities decreased and he was awful in the first
half. However, after the break, he converted 16 of 17
saves. Still only 25 and plenty of upside. Great for
Keeper leagues.
9. J.J. Putz, SEA - Where did this guy come from?
He has a nice split-finger and notched 104K in 78inn
pitched! WOW! Only 30, he is in line for 40+ if the
Mariners can get their act together. He can probably be
ranked #4, #5, or #6...but lets see if he can do it again
or come back to earth.
10. Bobby Jenks, CWS - His ERA/WHIP can kill you
and he can be scary to watch at times, but his K/inn rate
is fantastic with 80K in 69inn last season and his
potential 40+ saves.
11. Chris Ray, BAL - Nasty stuff, saw him in
person at Yankee Stadium. He's young and dominant and has
nobody breathing down his neck. He's a safe bet for 30+
saves but I am projecting 35+.
12. Eric Gagne, Tex - Should get the closer job
despite his injury woes. He is still a risk right now but
if he appears healthy, he's the best in the game!
13. Francisco Cordero, MIL - Resurrected his
career in Milwaukee after a horrendous start in Texas.
Posted a 1.29ERA in 28 games for Milwaukee.
14. Tom Gordon, PHI - 30+ saves again but
becareful when he tires toward the end of the season. Also
has nagging shoulder problems to deal with.
15. Brian Fuentes, COL - Just as effective at
home as he is on the road so it appears that Coors doesn't
bother him. Expect another 30+ save season.
16. Brad Lidge, HOU - Will he be the old Brad
Lidge, the 100+K Brad Lidge, or the "I can't get over
the homerun to Pujols" Brad Lidge. I guess we will
wait and see but for now, he's worth the gamble.
Waiting in the Wings - Dan Wheeler - If Lidge falters,
Wheeler will be next. If he remains set up man, he'll be a
holds hog.
17. Bob Wickman, ATL - Now that the Braves made
the deal for Mike Gonzalez, Wickman is on a short leash.
He's still solid but we cannot deny Gonzalez's stuff. By
mid season, Wickman's job could be in jeopardy.
18. Takashi Saito, LAD - Held batters to a 1.98
average in the second half while notching 26 saves after
Gagne went down. He had Broxton breathing down his neck
but at the moment, the closer job is his to lose.
Waiting in the Wings - Jonathon Broxton -
23, K'd 54 in 40 inn. He's got a dominant fastball and a
nasty slider. For now, he'll rack up the K's and the holds
in relief but if Saito falters, say hello to the closer of
the future. Think Joel Zumaya.
19. Jason Isringhausen, STL - May not start the
season healthy. If that's the case, we'll see Adam
Wainwright who proved in the post season that he should be
the closer regardless. If this is the case, move
Wainwright up to 12 behind Ray, he's down right nasty! In
the post season - 4 SV's, 9.2inn, 0.00 ERA, 15K.
20. Octavio Dotel, KC - Will find new life in KC.
Saves will be tough to com by but a healthy season should
produce 30+ and a k/inn rate.
21. Jose Valverde, ARI - Lost his job by mid
season but regained strength down the stretch. He'll enter
the season as the primary closer with nobody really
banging the door down behind him.
22. Armando Benitez, SF - Should be traded by
Spring Training. If not, and if he lasts all year which is
doubtful, he could post about 30 saves, but cover your
eyes, Benitez is known to take fans on a scary ride!
Waiting in the Wings - Brian Wilson
Dark Horse(s) - Brian Anderson - High A:
37 SV's, 68 IP, 1.86 ERA, 85 K's last season & David
Aardsma
23. Joe Borowski, CLE - The current
closer in Cleveland. If he can hold down the job and stay
healthy, he'll notch 35+ saves.
Waiting in the Wings - Fernando Cabrera -
Didn't impress last season or else they wouldn't have
signed Borowski.
24. Ryan Dempster, CHC - On a short
leash. Kerry Wood has been moved back to the bullpen and
if he proves healthy, could push Dempster out after
blowing 9 saves and losing his job last year.
Waiting in the Wings - Kerry Wood - Dusty
Baker would love nothing more than to relieve Dempster of
his closing duties...enter, a somewhat healthy Kerry Wood.
Dark Horse - Mike Wuertz - 42K in 40inn,
held hitters to a .199 average after getting recalled.
He's 28.
25. Joel Piniero, BOS - We are not quite sure if
he is the surefire closer for the Sox even though they
gave him a contract. He was unhittable in the short time
he pitched in relief last season. Mike Timlin is still in
the mix as is Craig Hansen.
Waiting in the Wings - Craig Hansen - Has
nasty stuff but showed he wasn't quite ready yet. See what
the Spring brings.
Dark Horse- Edgar Martinez
26. Todd Jones, DET - Its only a matter of time
before Zumaya gets the job. I give Jones until All Star
Break.
Waiting in the Wings - Joel Zumaya -
100mph is tough to hit even if hitters know its coming.
Could be a starter but there is no room. He'll rack up
holds for the time being! He should be drafted in a normal
12 team 23 round draft...somewhere after round 20.
27. Soloman Torres, PIT - Now that Mike Gonzo is
gone, Torres is the probable Closer. He pitched 94 innings
last season which is a feat itself, posted a 1.22 ERA
after the break and converted 12 saves when Mike Gonzalez
went down with an injury. He's durable and solid and a
great late round pick.
28. Seth McClung, TB - Converted 6 of 7 saves in
22 innings, struck out 21 but walked 21! Yikes, he's a
risk but a late round flier if you are desperate.
Waiting in the Wings: Juan Salas tore up
the minors after being converted from a infielder to a
pitcher. Check out these Double A numbers - 14 SV's, 35
IP, 52 K's, 0.00 ERA29. Taylor Tankersley, FLA - Seems to
be the front runner for the job. Held batters to .228
average after the break, and only 24.
30. Todd Coffey, David Weathers, Billy Bray - I
would not touch this situation with Guardado out most of
the season. Bray is the youngest and most intriguing,
Coffey was a workhorse last season, and Weathers is better
suited for middle relief. Lets see who wins this out of
Spring Training and then make a waiver wire move.
Mikey
The Fantasy Man
Fantasy Baseball Express
http://www.fantasybaseballexpress.com/
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