1. Jonathan Papelbon
2. Joe Nathan
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Joakim Soria
5. Francisco Rodriguez
6. Jonathan Broxton
7. Carlos Marmol
8. Brad Lidge
9. Matt Capps
10. Brian Fuentes
11. Jose Valverde
12. B.J. Ryan
13. Trevor Hoffman
14. Francisco Cordero
15. Bobby Jenks
16. Kerry Wood
17. Joey Devine
18. Brian Wilson
19. Frank Francisco
20. Heath Bell
21. Matt Lindstrom
22. Mike Gonzalez
23. Huston Street
24. Chad Qualls
25. Grant Balfour
26. Chris Perez
27. George Sherrill
28. Joel Hanrahan
29. Brandon Lyon
I like seeing Devine in the second tier. Nice call.
I am probably higher on Qualls than you are. B Wilson seems to be benefiting from some SF love.
Closers, to me, are small part ability and large part opportunity. The top two tiers should always be guy confirmed to have the job of closing for their clubs. Therefore, Marmol at 7 stands out to me and Devine at 17 too. Both might have the job out of ST or sometime this year, but until that is confirmed, I am not drafting them that high.
Everyone thought Marmol had the job this time last year, however I was certain Wood would be the guy (I know, braggart).
Anyway, might argue that Wilson, Francisco and Gonzalez are safer picks.
Donald – I actually like Qualls better as a pitcher than Wilson, but Wilson seems to have more job security. He’s clearly the guy in SF’s pen, whereas Qualls has always been a setup man who can be more valuable as a two-inning guy/situational (need a double play). I could see Jon Rauch taking some saves there. That said, Qualls is a very good target late. He’s solid. And in an easy division.
Tyler Durden – I hear you and generally agree – a middle reliever, no matter how good, has little value in fantasy baseball. Therefore opportunity is by far the most important aspect. So for sure there will be safer picks than Marmol. Especially with Kevin Gregg’s addition. I still would be surprised if Marmol and Devine aren’t the guys closing for their respective teams this year tho, heath permitting.
I might agree it does make sense for them both to close, but I have a sneaky suspicion Cubs put Gregg in as closer. The fact that Marmol can go 2 innings is a big factor, just like it was last year. I know Marmol ‘is the guy’ but you could have said that about Arrendando too & Angels went out and got Fuentes.
Time will tell. But something to consider when drafting.