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National League Closers

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9:02 pm
February 10, 2009

junkyardjake

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What do you guys think about all the new potential closers in the National League this year ?

It does seem like you can try to hold off on taking 2 stud closers early this year, there seems to be some good sleepers:

Joel Hanrahan (WAS)
Matt Lindstrom(FLA)
Matt Capps(PIT) not new, but undervalued, imo
Heath Bell (SD)
Jonathan Broxton (LA)
Carlos Marmol (CHC)
Mike Gonzalez (ATL)

At last count, it is estimated that the 2009 NY Yankees team salary will significantly exceed the GDP of at least 9 separate countries.

9:08 pm
February 10, 2009

steelers0087

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Matt Capps was very good last year until his season ended with a injury. Your right, everyone should keep an eye on him.

Steelers0087 | Fantasy Baseball Xtreme Moderator

11:01 pm
February 10, 2009

frankiephilly

Philly

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I always wait on closers and usually find one or two to help fill a hole. But this year i will grab at least one because i can never maintain good points at the pos. How long would you both wait? Thanks for the help! This site and new forum rocks!

8:09 am
February 11, 2009

junkyardjake

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frankiephilly said:

I always wait on closers and usually find one or two to help fill a hole. But this year i will grab at least one because i can never maintain good points at the pos. How long would you both wait? Thanks for the help! This site and new forum rocks!

Hi frankie, I agree with you that waiting on closers is generally the best strategy. They obviously tend to be a little unpredictable, and are probably not worth messing with in the 1st three rounds.

A good draft plan is trying to grab a really safe closer in rounds 4-6, and then letting the more unknown/risky ones fall to you in later rounds.

Of course, defining safe is the tricky part. I generally look for 1) guys in their prime, with a limited injury history 2) with at least a 2 or 3-year solid track record.

So, the safest closers this year might be

1) Francisco Rodriguez (ADP 5th-6th round)

2) Jonathan Papelbon (ADP 4th-5th round)

3) Joakim Soria (ADP 7th-8th round)

4) Bobby Jenks (ADP 7th-8th round)

At last count, it is estimated that the 2009 NY Yankees team salary will significantly exceed the GDP of at least 9 separate countries.

2:34 pm
February 11, 2009

steelers0087

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I actually dont think K-rod is a safe pick. I think its risky if you draft K-rod, since your going to have to use a high pick on him. He threw a ton of innings last year so im concerned with his arm.

If you want to take a closer early i would take Nathan or Papelbon, but i generally do not draft any top closers. I rather use those picks to make my line-up or pitching staff better.

Steelers0087 | Fantasy Baseball Xtreme Moderator

3:25 pm
February 11, 2009

frankiephilly

Philly

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I hear ya guys! Is it a better strategy to draft Soria and Jenks late and focus on other positions in the earlier rounds or should i take a tleast a Papelbon? Cant decide what is going to be best.

4:17 pm
February 11, 2009

junkyardjake

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steelers0087 said:

I actually dont think K-rod is a safe pick. I think its risky if you draft K-rod, since your going to have to use a high pick on him. He threw a ton of innings last year so im concerned with his arm.

If you want to take a closer early i would take Nathan or Papelbon, but i generally do not draft any top closers. I rather use those picks to make my line-up or pitching staff better.

Hi Steelers,

Actually Nathan and Rodriguez have been going at almost exactly the same spot in early mock drafts, around the early 6th round.

I hear you about the risk, I hate drafting closers early, but Nathan is 35 years old, while Rodriguez is about 28.

Nathan certainly hasn't shown any indications of slowing down, and has better ratios than Rodriguez, but it just seems that Nathan might be on the cusp of at least a slight decline.

Also, Rodriguez did indeed appear in alot of games last year, but his 68 innings pitched was about the same as 2007.

To your point though, don't reach for any closer if you can avoid it.

At last count, it is estimated that the 2009 NY Yankees team salary will significantly exceed the GDP of at least 9 separate countries.

4:28 pm
February 11, 2009

junkyardjake

Moderator

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frankiephilly said:

I hear ya guys! Is it a better strategy to draft Soria and Jenks late and focus on other positions in the earlier rounds or should i take a tleast a Papelbon? Cant decide what is going to be best.

Drafting Soria or Jenks, in the 7th to 9th round range is probably a good plan. And even if you miss those guys, remember, there are a bunch of better values later in the 12th+ round range, like Marmol, BJ Ryan, Fuentes, Broxton, Cordero, Kerry Wood. Some guys you can really wait on are Hanrahan, Brian Wilson, Mike Gonzalez, Street/Corpas (COL).

At last count, it is estimated that the 2009 NY Yankees team salary will significantly exceed the GDP of at least 9 separate countries.

9:05 pm
February 11, 2009

steelers0087

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posts 283

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frankiephilly said:

I hear ya guys! Is it a better strategy to draft Soria and Jenks late and focus on other positions in the earlier rounds or should i take a tleast a Papelbon? Cant decide what is going to be best.

I like that strategy much better. Soria is a pretty nice closer if you can manage to get him in later rounds.

Steelers0087 | Fantasy Baseball Xtreme Moderator

11:26 pm
February 11, 2009

frankiephilly

Philly

Rookie

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Thanks guys. Good list of players too!

11:33 pm
February 11, 2009

jakedogg187