Closers

[B]

Who are some guys that will close for there teams this year that my not have been picked in a draft? All of the well-known closers were obviously taken, but I was wondering who are some guys that may go overlooked.

[AlamoCub]

David Weathers - Reds

Chris Reitsma - Braves

Joe Borowski - Marlins

 

Those are the 3 most obvious guys that are being overlooked. Keep an eye on Craig Hansen in Boston if Foulke falters.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Chris Ray - BAL

Chad Orvella - TB

Bobby Jenks - CWS

Mike MacDougal - KC

Chris Reitsma - ATL

Joe Borowski - FLA

Tom Gordon - PHI

Dave Weathers - CIN

Mike Gonzalez - PIT

Brian Fuentes - COL

 

 

Don't forget about Eric Gagne, I'm not really sure where he is going in most drafts but I imagine he could be a mid to late steal. Also Danys Baez, because if Gagne struggles/reinjures himself, Baez will take over.

[AlamoCub]

In the Yahoo drafts I've done Gagne has gone between rounds 6 and 8. Not nearly as high as a few years ago.

[Mark_R]

Saves are overrated. There's no real sense in looking for a guy who's gonna kill you in lots of categories, but help you in one.

 

If you can get a guy like Lidge, K-Rod, Rivera, Cordero, Street, Wagner (the elite ends there) in a REASONABLE round (5-7) the risk is fine, but don't get caught up in a run on closers where you're picking a guy who sucks in WHIP, ERA, and other peripheral stats just because he can "close" and get you saves.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Saves are overrated. There's no real sense in looking for a guy who's gonna kill you in lots of categories, but help you in one.

 

If you can get a guy like Lidge, K-Rod, Rivera, Cordero, Street, Wagner (the elite ends there) in a REASONABLE round (5-7) the risk is fine, but don't get caught up in a run on closers where you're picking a guy who sucks in WHIP, ERA, and other peripheral stats just because he can "close" and get you saves.

 

I agree.

 

I usually pass on the closers. There are many options in the late rounds for low WHIP, high K guys that pitch comparable number of innings as closers.

[Jazz]

Saves are overrated. There's no real sense in looking for a guy who's gonna kill you in lots of categories, but help you in one.

 

If you can get a guy like Lidge, K-Rod, Rivera, Cordero, Street, Wagner (the elite ends there) in a REASONABLE round (5-7) the risk is fine, but don't get caught up in a run on closers where you're picking a guy who sucks in WHIP, ERA, and other peripheral stats just because he can "close" and get you saves.

 

I dont understand this post, since elite closers usually have better WHIP's and ERA's??

[Mark_R]

Saves are overrated. There's no real sense in looking for a guy who's gonna kill you in lots of categories, but help you in one.

 

If you can get a guy like Lidge, K-Rod, Rivera, Cordero, Street, Wagner (the elite ends there) in a REASONABLE round (5-7) the risk is fine, but don't get caught up in a run on closers where you're picking a guy who sucks in WHIP, ERA, and other peripheral stats just because he can "close" and get you saves.

 

I dont understand this post, since elite closers usually have better WHIP's and ERA's??

 

What I mean is that people overvalue saves, no matter the ramifications to the rest of the categories. The elite guys are very good, no doubt, but there are people who place too much of an emphasis on finding the flavor of the week at closer. Last year the miserable situation in Arizona probably killed many fantasy owners as Bruney, Aquino, and eventually Valverde were going through awful numbers after awful numbers. Situations like in Tampa where you really have no idea what to get. But hey, they've got saves!

 

I'd take a relief pitcher with a 1.1 WHIP and an ERA under 3 than a closer who will save 25 games, have a WHIP over 1.4 and an ERA around 5.

 

1 bad WHIP guy (especially in a 5x5 league) can set you back a considerable margin.

[Drew Doughty]

Valverde put up very good numbers last year.

 

I agree with the rest of the post though.

[ChiCubsFan]

Yes, I agree but saves are a category. I have two strategies on saves. I either get guys who may not have the best secondary numbers (ERA in the low 4s and a WHIP around 1.3) but not horrible numbers (hardly ever does a guy with an ERA around 5 stay in the closer role). I don't like drafting closers high because even the great ones really only help you A LOT in one category. Yes, there are freaks like K-Rod and Gagne (of a few years ago) and Lidge who can get you a ton of K's (as much as a lot of good SP) and also help out your ERA and WHIP, but the majority of them just don't pitch enough innings to help you out enough to warrant a high selection. In some leagues I've even decided to punt saves and just use the picks on players that will help me more and then just pay attention throughout the season for when setup men are thrusted into the closer role and take a chance that they succeed.