Closers are a volatile bunch. It’s a fantasy mantra and a good one. So, for those who participate in dynasty leagues, how do the rankings fall? How far do you push up a younger closer who has proven capable? How far do you drop a veteran who may only have a year or two left? Let’s take a look:
- Jonathan Broxton - Los Angeles Dodgers
- Joakim Soria - Kansas City Royals
- Jonathan Papelbon - Boston Red Sox
- Joe Nathan - Minnesota Twins
- Francisco Rodriguez - New York Mets
- Andrew Bailey - Oakland Athletics
- Mariano Rivera - New York Yankees
- Brian Wilson - San Francisco Giants
- Jose Valverde - Detroit Tigers
- Huston Street - Colorado Rockies
- Carlos Marmol - Chicago Cubs
- Frank Francisco - Texas Rangers
- Heath Bell - San Diego Padres
- Rafael Soriano - Tampa Bay Rays
- Mike Gonzalez - Baltimore Orioles
Thoughts:
- Soria has already proven that he has the ability to be an elite closer and is just 25-years old (he’ll turn 26 in May). You can talk to me about being the closer on a bad team all you want, but 72 saves over the past two seasons really tells me all I need to know.
- At 40-years-old, how far do we downgrade Mariano Rivera, possibly the best closer in baseball history? That’s one of the biggest questions facing dynasty league owners, isn’t it?
- I have my concerns about Andrew Bailey for 2010, but at 25-years-old and with the season he posted last year, he is a borderline Top Five closer for dynasty leaguers.
- Heath Bell could be dealt, losing his closers duties. With rumors like that out there, you can’t rank him too highly in dynasty leagues. If I’m drafting a closer with the potential to help for the next few seasons, I just don’t want too much uncertainty hanging over him.
- Frank Francisco may seem a bit out of place, but I am probably one of his biggest supporters. The faith that the Rangers showed in him last season speaks volumes and he proved that he could handle the job. He is no spring chicken at 30-years-old, but he has the potential to be a solid option for many years to come.
- We all know that Carlos Marmol has the stuff to be an excellent closer. Will he have the control to get the job done long-term? That’s the million-dollar question. Still, closer is an unstable position, so he’s worth taking the risk on.
- Where’s Trevor Hoffman? One of the all-time greats falls short of this list due strictly to his age.
What are your thoughts on this list? Who’s too high? Who was left off?
If you would like to see a free preview of the Rotoprofessor 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, now including the Top 50 Prospect for 2010 List (available for just $5), click here .
Make sure to also check out our other recently updated Dynasty League Rankings:
Make sure to check out our 2010 yearly league rankings:
- Catchers
- First Basemen
- Second Basemen
- Third Basemen
- Shortstops
- Outfielders
- Designated Hitters
- Starting Pitchers
- Closers
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