Fantasy Baseball Closers Report: National League Edition

Last week, we took a look at the closer’s situations in the American League (click here to view); this week, we turn to the National League. 

Who could be in jeopardy of losing their job? Which closer in waiting is worth stashing? 

Let’s take a look:

East

• Atlanta Braves
  Closer—Craig Kimbrel; Next in Line—Jonny Venters
  For all the preseason talk about a time share between Kimbrel and Venters, the idea proved moot once the season started. The Braves have had three save opportunities in the early going, with all of them going to Kimbrel (who has looked dominant with 6 Ks in 3.0 IP). There is just no doubt about it: Kimbrel is the clear-cut closer.
• Florida Marlins
  Closer—Leo Nunez; Next in Line—Clay Hensley
  Nunez may not be the sexiest closer choice, but he certainly has a pretty long leash at this point. He showed his strikeout potential in ’10 (9.83 K/9) and has looked good early on this season. He shouldn’t see much competition unless he really blows up.
• New York Mets
  Closer—Francisco Rodriguez, Next in Line—Bobby Parnell
  The Mets haven’t had many save opportunities in the early going, though K-Rod has already managed to blow one. We all have heard about his option that vests with 55 games finished, which will be a story all year long (so far he’s finished two). It will be interesting to see if the Mets keep running him out there later in the season if the option is coming close to vesting.
• Philadelphia Phillies
  Closer—Jose Contreras, Next in Line—Ryan Madson
  Brad Lidge is expected to be out until around the All-Star Break, giving Contreras a chance to really help fantasy owners over the first few months of the season. While Madson may have the better pure stuff, he has never excelled in the closer’s role. Contreras, on the other hand, has looked good early and is a good play in all formats.
• Washington Nationals
  Closer—Sean Burnett, Next in Line—Drew Storen
  Storen got off to a slow start after struggling in the spring, giving Burnett an opportunity to get a few looks. However, we all know that Storen is the long-term answer, at least of the options that they currently have and he has been pitching better of late. It is just a matter of time before he reclaims his job.

Central

• Chicago Cubs
  Closer—Carlos Marmol, Next in Line—Kerry Wood
  Marmol has had some good moments early on, but he also has given us some cause for concern.  Control problems continue to plague him, with at least one walk in his last three appearances. It is something to keep an eye on, but there is no questioning his electric stuff.
• Cincinnati Reds
  Closer—Francisco Cordero, Next in Line—Aroldis Chapman
  Cordero has seen little work in the early going, but his job should be fairly safe for the moment. Yes, the live arm of Chapman will certainly bring intrigue, but his control issues are always going to be a question that’s hanging over him. It’s possible that he overtakes Cordero by year’s end, but it would seem like Cordero’s leash will be fairly long.
• Houston Astros
  Closer—Brandon Lyon, Next in Line—Wilton Lopez
  Lyon got off to a horrendous start, blowing his first save opportunity by giving up three ER on six H in just a third of an inning. While he’s been pitching better, the lack of a true alternative is going to give him a little more leeway then many other options. He’s certainly not a great option, as he doesn’t bring much strikeout potential, but job security certainly brings value to a closer.
• Milwaukee Brewers
  Closer—John Axford, Next in Line—Takashi Saito
  Axford was spectacularly bad in his first appearance, allowing four ER in 0.2 innings (including a walk-off, three-run home run to Ramon Hernandez). He has been better of late and a hamstring injury to Saito gives him a little bit more of a margin for error. His control could be an issue (4.19 BB/9 in ’10, 6.06 BB/9 over his minor league career), so don’t expect a great WHIP from him. Otherwise, there really shouldn’t be anything to worry about.
• Pittsburgh Pirates
  Closer—Joel Hanrahan, Next in Line—Evan Meek
  Hanrahan has gotten off to a great start, but does anyone really expect him to finish the year as the Pirates closer? Either he is going to struggle, sooner or later and lose the job or the Pirates will likely try to trade him at the deadline to bring back some prospects. Either way, Meek (who is currently suffering from a shoulder issue) is a must stash option if you are in a deeper format and are desperate for saves.
• St. Louis Cardinals
  Closer—Ryan Franklin, Next in Line—Jason Motte
• Franklin has already blown three saves and you have to wonder if the 38-year old is simply running out of gas. He does not bring a big strikeout potential, which further limits his fantasy appeal. Where he may be benefiting is the fact that Motte has also gotten off to a slow start, allowing runs in each of his first two appearances, so there hasn’t much rumbling about a potential change. Brian Tallett has excelled early this season (0.00 ERA, 4 K in 3.1 IP) and the lefty could potentially get a look (especially with Trevor Miller, another lefty, in the bullpen), though that’s probably a long-shot. Mitchell Boggs (3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 6 K in 5.0 IP) is another potential option. For now, consider Franklin safe, but keep a close eye on the situation.

West

• Arizona Diamondbacks
  Closer—J.J. Putz, Next in Line—Juan Gutierrez
  Putz has looked sharp in his return to the closer’s role and there is no reason to think that he is in any jeopardy at this point. With how bad the Diamondbacks bullpen was in 2010, it must be a relief to have a pitcher that appears primed to lockdown their opponent. He’s a good play in all formats.
• Colorado Rockies
  Closer—Huston Street, Next in Line—Matt Lindstrom
  Amazingly in his first six appearances, Street has pitched eight innings (that’s what happens when you are called on to pitch three innings in an extra innings affair). He has looked sharp and should be completely safe in his role. Lindstrom will get an occasional shot when Street needs a day off, but that’s about it at this point.
• Los Angeles Dodgers
  Closer—Jonathan Broxton, Next in Line—Hong-Chih Kuo
  There still seems to be something missing for Broxton, who has just one strikeout over his first five appearances (4.1 innings). Is there reason to be concerned? A slight one, as he does not appear to be the same lockdown closer that he once was. Of course, with the concern over keeping Kuo healthy keeping the Dodgers from pitching him on back-to-back days, at least for now, it gives Broxton a little more rope. Still, it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see something change at some point.
• San Diego Padres
  Closer—Heath Bell, Next in Line—Mike Adams/Luke Gregerson
  Bell is one of the elite in the game and, barring a midseason trade, is going to hold the job of Padres closer all year long. At this point, there really is nothing else to say about it.
• San Francisco Giants
  Closer—Brian Wilson, Next in Line—Sergio Romo
  In his first two outings since coming off the DL, Wilson has been a disaster, allowing five ER on four H and three BB over just 1.1 innings. Is anyone pushing the panic button yet? He’s one of the elite in the game and should right the ship before long. Just stay patient, as you know the Giants are going to continue running him out there with the game on the line.

What are your thoughts on the NL closing situations? Who could lose his job? Which setup man are you targeting?

Make sure to check out these other great Rotoprofessor articles:

• Around the Majors: April 12: Albert Pujols, Clayton Kershaw & More
• Injury Report: April 12: Ryan Zimmerman, Ubaldo Jimenez & More
• Kicking Mark Reynolds To The Curb… Permanently!

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