Fantasy Baseball Closer Report (5/2)

I’ve been playing this game for over 30 years and never once have I gone into a draft knowing that I would punt a category. By punting I mean purposely not trying to compete in a category, almost always saves or steals, knowing to well that you will finish last in that category. If you were to punt saves, it just puts a tremendous amount of pressure on your team to finish at the top of almost every other category and that can be next to impossible to do. That being said, once the season starts, you may not have a choice but to punt saves or steals. For example, in an 18-team league that I play in, I came into the season with one closer on my roster (outbid for all others during the draft), but I figured knowing how volatile the position is, I would just be able to find one or two off of the waiver wire eventually. Well, that hasn’t worked out for me so far and at this point in the season, I’m starting to weigh whether it’s worth losing two points in saves (I’m currently third to last) to strengthen several other positions by adding another starting pitcher to my roster. At this point, I think it might be, especially if I can trade that lone closer on my roster to another team for a player that can help me in another category, especially if that category/s can get more than the two points I’m going to lose in the save category. These are the tough decision we are forced to make during the fantasy season.

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National League

Atlanta Braves: As we all know, Arodys Vizcaino is out for the remainder of the season due to shoulder surgery. A.J. Minter was anointed the closer for the team but has struggled before and after this promotion. Minter was removed from a save situation Sunday and Luke Jackson replaced him. Has Jackson taken over the role? Possibly. Minter did pitch the 9^th inning Wednesday, but it was in a non-save situation. Still, it was a clean inning. Whether or not Minter or Jackson is brought on for the next save situation, both will be on a very short leash.

Chicago Cubs: If you haven’t already done so, please move on from Brandon Morrow. He is coming off of offseason elbow surgery and the best case scenario had him returning this week. Well, after a setback, that isn’t happening and now he might not be back until the All-Star break after having a synthetic lubricant injected into his elbow. Assuming this procedure works, he will not start up his throwing program again until later this month at the earliest. This is quickly looking like a lost season for Morrow owners as even if he does return to the Chicago bullpen, it is not likely to be as the closer. That job belongs to Pedro Strop.

New York Mets: Those of you who play in leagues that reward holds lost Jeurys Familia this week to a sore shoulder. Apparently, this is due to a bone spur that Familia has had to deal with for a few years. This may be addition by subtraction however as Familia has an ERA of 6.28 and WHIP of 2.02. His placement on the IL may have just done you and your fantasy team a favor.

Philadelphia Phillies: David Robertson last pitched for the Phillies on April 14 before being placed on the IL with what was supposed to be a minor flexor strain. It’s about three weeks later and Robertson still hasn’t begun a throwing program. So much for a minor strain. Maybe it doesn’t even matter as Robertson wasn’t pitching all that well before his injury and Hector Neris has pitched solid in the role since the injury. It may not matter as Philadelphia may look to upgrade the position before the trade deadline either way.

American League

Los Angeles Angels: We were waiting to see who manager Brad Ausmus would insert into the closer role once Cody Allen was removed. It seems as of now that reliever is Hansel Robles. Will he have the job long-term? Probably not and even if he does it isn’t likely to matter as this is a bad team. Saves won’t be coming often. That’s not to say you shouldn’t claim him. Every closer has value, just don’t break the bank to do so.

Seattle Mariners: Roenis Elias has been unavailable in the early portion of this week due to unspecified soreness. This should raise a red flag or two as Elias hasn’t pitched since Friday and for him to still be sore a little less than a week later is abnormal. Maybe he closes the next chance for Seattle and I’m just a worry wart or maybe not. Once again, he’s not a lockdown closer anyway and some believe he’s in a committee with Anthony Swarzak. I wouldn’t be betting on either one to lead you to a fantasy championship.

Tampa Bay Rays: Does anyone else realize that Jose Alvarado doesn’t have a save since April 7? Remember how awesome he was in the early part of the season? Well, he has struggled since and the Rays haven’t automatically given him the opportunity to close out games. Sometimes that chance has gone to Emilio Pagan or Diego Castillo. I still believe in Alvarado long-term and now might be the perfect opportunity to buy low on his services.

Texas Rangers: Perhaps that four-year $14.75 million contract that Jose Leclerc signed in March isn’t such a bargain after all. It took just a little over a month for him to lose the closer role. The Rangers have stated that Leclerc is out temporarily. That could mean a week, a month, who knows, but he certainly won’t return until he starts to pitch more effectively. Shawn Kelley will take over the closer role for now, but that isn’t likely to last long. Kelley should only be claimed if you are desperate for every last save like so many of us are.