Fantasy
Baseball Player Rankings & Projections
2008 Closer Preseason Preview
Francisco Rodriguez
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It is all about consistency
when choosing your closer and nobody has been more
dominating and consistent than Rodriguez over the
last 3 seasons. |
1. Francisco Rodriguez - Angels - 2008
Preview:
He had a bit of an off year seeing his ERA balloon to 2.81
from his '06 1.73 ERA. His lifetime ERA is still an excellent
2.37 and you should expect that in 2008. Other closers had
better seasons that Rodriguez, but the 26-year-old phenom
has been a stud for 3 consecutive years and plays for a
winner. After an average season, the only way for Rodriguez
to go is up. Oh yes, and his k-ratio is dominating 12.07 per 9 innings.
2007 Statistics:
40 SV's - 5-2 - 2.81 ERA - 90 K's - 67 IP.
2008 Projection:
45 SV's - 4-2 - 2.34 ERA - 96 K's - 70 IP.
2. Joe Nathan - Twins - 2008 Preview:
He has been among the most consistent closers in
fantasy baseball over the last 4 seasons nailing an average
of 40 saves over that time and posting ERA's under 2.00
in 3 of those seasons. In addition, he has one of the most
dominating k-ratios over those years. That ratio did fall
in '07 to a still-solid 9.73 strikeouts per 9 innings after
a dominating 12.56 in 2007.
2007 Statistics:
37 SV's - 4-2 - 1.88 ERA - 77 K's - 72 IP.
2008 Projection:
40 SV's - 6-2 - 1.97 ERA - 85 K's - 71 IP.
3. J.J. Putz - Mariners - 2008 Preview:
He was the most dominating closer in fantasy baseball in
'07 posting an amazing ERA of 1.38. Putz came out of nowhere
in 2006 when he took over the Mariner's closer role and
never looked back posting 36 saves and an 2.30 ERA. His
k-ratio went down from '06, but is still a very strong 10.57.
The Mariners play a lot of close games and thus Putz is
likely to see many opportunities in 2008 and has a shot
to become the #1 closer in fantasy baseball.
2007 Statistics:
40 SV's - 6-1 - 1.38 ERA - 82 K's - 71.2 IP.
2008 Projection:
42 SV's - 4-2 - 2.04 ERA - 81 K's - 69 IP.
4. Takashi Saito - Dodgers - 2008 Preview:
He proved that 2006 was not a fluke. He is the real deal
and he plays for one of the best teams to close for in the
major leagues. In 2007 he posted an amazing 1.40 ERA and
he finished the season strong nailing 17 consecutive saves.
Saito is veteran at 38, so you know what you are getting,
a sure-thing closing stud.
2007 Statistics:
39 SV's - 2-1 - 1.40 ERA - 78 K's - 64.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
41 SV's - 4-2 - 1.74 ERA - 81 K's - 69 IP.
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5. Jonathan Papelbon - Red Sox - 2008 Preview:
He could be the best closer in baseball, but he seems to
get an injury at some point of the season, though never
serious, but it is enough to cost him in the rankings. The
good news is Papelbon followed up on his amazing 2006 debut,
when he had an unheard of 0.92 ERA, with a 1.85 ERA in 2007
and posted an improved and outstanding 13.01 k-ratio.
2007 Statistics:
37 SV's - 1-3 - 1.85 ERA - 84 K's - 58.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
39 SV's - 2-2 - 1.88 ERA - 89 K's - 66 IP.
6. Billy Wagner - Mets - 2007 Preview:
Just like the above closers Wagner gives you consistency.
You will not need to worry about him losing his job at some
point. In addition, he plays for a winner and should get
plenty of save opportunities. His only drawbacks are age
and injury. He is likely to miss some save chances because
of this and age has had some effect on his a game seeing
his ERA, saves and k-ratio slip each of the last 3 years.
At 36, Wagner should have a few excellent years still in
the tank.
2007 Statistics:
34 SV's - 2-2 - 2.63 ERA - 80 K's - 68.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
35 SV's - 3-2 - 2.71 ERA - 79 K's - 68 IP.
7. Trevor Hoffman - Padres - 2008 Preview:
The all-time save leader continues to be consistent and
solid. He has lost his dominance and thus has seen his ERA
go up and his k-ratio go way down. Nevertheless, he plays
for a winning team, in a pitchers park and should be good
for another 40 saves in '08.
2007 Statistics:
42 SV's - 4-5 - 2.98 ERA - 44 K's - 57.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
40 SV's - 3-3 - 3.05 ERA - 43 K's - 58 IP.
8. B.J. Ryan - Blue Jays - 2008 Preview:
He had a season ending elbow injury, but he is expected
to be ready for training camp. If not for the injury Ryan
could be fighting for the preseason #1 spot, but with an
elbow injury does cast some doubt on his immediate future
and thus he carries some risk. Before the injury he posted
36 saves and a 2.43 ERA in '05 & 38 saves with 1.37
ERA in '06. His k-ratio for the 2 years was an amazing 11.77.
2007 Statistics:
3 SV's - 0-2 - 12.46 ERA - 3 K's - 4.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
36 SV's - 2-3 - 2.58 ERA - 83 K's - 70 IP.
9. José Valverde - Astros - 2008
Preview:
He lead the major leagues with 47 saves and finished as
one of the top closers in fantasy baseball. The problem
is his inconsistent past record. In 2006 he bombed when
he posted a 5.84 ERA and lost his closer's job. Now he has
moved to the Houston Astros. The last thing you want is
a change after we just began to regain confidence in him
again. In the end, he proved himself in 2007 and he is worth
a chance in 2008.
2007 Statistics:
47 SV's - 1-4 - 2.66 ERA - 78 K's - 64.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
42 SV's - 2-3 - 3.09 ERA - 85 K's - 72 IP.
10. Francisco Cordero - Reds - 2008 Preview:
His story is very similar to that of Valverde, inconsistent,
had a great year and moved to a new team. If Cordero can
remain consistent and keep hi s confidence he should nail
down 40 to 45 saves with the Reds, but that is an if, especially
with Cordero playing in a home run park like Great American
Ball Park.
2007 Statistics:
44 SV's - 0-4 - 2.98 ERA - 86 K's - 63.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
38 SV's - 2-5 - 3.14 ERA - 84 K's - 64 IP.
