Fantasy Baseball: Closer Report (9-5)

In my Risers and Fallers column earlier this week I mentioned how in head to head leagues you should pay careful attention to your roster and not hoard too many players at any one position. This applies to closers also, but you also need to be careful here. I wouldn’t just release an extra closer. Your opponent might need it, whether it be the team you’re playing this week or next. This doesn’t hold true for any scenario. Some teams might have to make a tough choice. That extra closer may be the only available roster slot that you have, and you may need another starting pitcher, player to cover a possible injury-prone player or any one of a number of other scenarios. Tough decisions need to be made and they will usually decide your fate. As always good luck in your playoffs.

National League

Los Angeles Dodgers: Kenley Jansen is the definition of a closer who is struggling mightily at this point in time. We keep hearing that the Dodgers want to lighten his workload and possibly use him in low leverage situations to build his confidence back up but then they use him to close out a game and earn a save Tuesday. Jansen did, however, give up a run while earning the save so it’s not like all is well here. If the Dodgers did decide to remove Jansen from the role for any length of time it would seem likely that Joe Kelly would be next in line to take over.

Miami Marlins: The Marlins have only had five save chances since 7/27, so it’s not like it really matters who the closer is here. That being said, Jose Urena seems to be the favorite to close now, but he blew his last save chance, so this is far from etched in stone.

Washington Nationals: Sean Doolittle has returned from his Il stint. The Nationals have stated that they will start Doolittle off in low leverage situations. They can afford to do this as they are pretty much locked into the first wildcard playoff slot. They don’t need to rush anything.

American League

Boston Red Sox: After a tough first two-thirds of the season, Brandon Workman has turned it around and become a pretty reliable closer. He’s not a light’s out closer by any means, but he has become somewhat trustworthy as he has only allowed runs in three of his last 16 appearances. Those in dynasty or keeper leagues, however, shouldn’t believe he will keep the job next season. It seems unlikely that Boston makes the same mistake again and doesn’t acquire a closer with a much stronger resume.

Cleveland Indians: Brad Hand was terrible versus the White Sox on Wednesday. It’s a small sample size, obviously, and one bad outing shouldn’t raise any red flags, but Hand did struggle in August where he gave up seven runs in four appearances. Hand then had four clean showings. Which Hand is the real deal? Maybe the long season is getting to him, but the Indians will keep going back to him as it isn’t like they have anyone better.