In 1969 saves became an official statistical category in Major League Baseball, and ever since fantasy baseball owners have been living and dying by this seemingly arbitrary figure. The stat itself is an interesting concept; a way to reward a late inning specialist for helping the starting pitcher and his team seal a victory. However, it is also a stat that can spell doom and cost a team their spot in the limelight. With that, trying to read a gauge which closer will succeed or let his team down is kind of a difficult read, even if they are only working to get three batters out. As easy as it sounds, the things to consider are that the closer role only becomes effective if his team has a lead of one to three runs, the closer throws as hard as they can for those three batters, and most importantly, the closer is almost always counted upon to pitch every-single day. The 2013 season has been absolute bliss for some, and a barrel of frustration with a side of nausea for others. Here’s a team-by-team breakdown of all 30 closers to help all you fantasy owners out there.
National League
J.J. Putz Arizona Diamondbacks
JJ Putz was put in an interesting position during the offseason as the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Heath Bell in a trade with the Miami Marlins as part of a three-way trade which sent Chris Young to the Oakland Athletics. Putz received a contract extension in the offseason to put his job a little more at ease; however, in the three games he’s pitched, he’s only managed one save and allowed two earned runs in three innings. Bell has a save as well, but an inflated ERA of 10.80. As it stands now, it’s really anybody’s game, unless Putz gets more opportunities.
Craig Kimbrel Atlanta Braves
Craig Kimbrel notched his fourth save on the year against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, which also came with his fourth strikeout. Kimbrel has been solid for the Atlanta Braves every year since 2011, saving at least 42 games per season. His 0.75 WHIP and 0.00 ERA are the real deal. If the Braves have the lead going into the ninth inning, don’t bet against Kimbrel.
Kyuji Fujikawa Chicago Cubs
Difficult name to say, difficult guy to rely upon. Kyuji Fujikawa was thrusted into the closer role after back-to-back rough season starts for Carlos Marmol ousted him from his role. Fujikawa has two saves on the year tied in with a not-so-friendly 8.10 ERA. The Chicago Cubs aren’t exactly doing themselves a favor by not scoring runs either. Needless to say, it’s going to be rough year for Theo Epstein and the Cubs.
Aroldis Chapman Cincinnati Reds
Originally the Cincinnati Reds were going to move Aroldis Chapman to a starting position… then they came to their senses. The fireballer from Cuba has fanned nine batters and saved two games thus far on the season, accompanied by a 0.80 WHIP. Like Kimbrel, as long as the Reds can maintain a lead into the ninth, Chapman should be able to knock out a save or 38.
Rafael Betancourt Colorado Rockies
As surprising as it may seem, the Colorado Rockies are winning ball games; and with that, Rafael Betancourt is getting save opportunities. So far on the year Betancourt has saved three games while striking out two, not allowing a single run. His 0.60 WHIP is also quite impressive.
Brandon League Los Angeles Dodgers
Brandon League is starting to make a name for himself again as a reliable closer in Tinseltown. League has closed two games out without much of a problem, but has only recorded one strikeout on the season. League has lost quite a bit of velocity on his fastball since leaving the Toronto Blue Jays, but has been working to develop a more groundout-flyout type regiment. He currently holds a 0.33 WHIP; however, Kenley Jansen will always be waiting in the wings.
Steve Cishek Miami Marlins
Poor Steve Cishek. Despite the fact that Cishek made an appearance on the United States World Baseball Classic team, unfortunately the effort didn’t help him much. His ERA currently stands at 15.43 and has yet record a save. Might be time for skipper Mike Redmond to start looking for a more reliable arm… and second baseman… and third baseman… and left fielder…
John Axford Milwaukee Brewers
Remember when John Axford was the man? Sadly those days are long behind. Axford suffered a bit of a meltdown last season despite closing out 35 games. So far this year he has yet to save a game and his ERA is looming around the stratosphere at 24.30. Reliever Jim Henderson has closed out one game thus far with six strikeouts under his belt. If Ron Roenicke hasn’t all ready given Henderson the reigns as the team’s closer, he should. And you should be claiming him off the free agent wire at this moment.
Bobby Parnell New York Mets
Frank Francisco was supposed to be the closer this season for the New York Mets, but stinging sensations in his elbow have kept him on the DL. For now, Bobby Parnell has the role, but hasn’t had much of an opportunity to fulfill his duties. The Mets have yet to record a single save this season, but they are certainly winning games handily. Parnell has pitched in one and a third innings thus far with one strikeout and has yet to let up a base runner. Time will tell on this one.
Jonathan Papelbon Philadelphia Phillies
Jonathan Papelbon has yet to be “on” like he was in Boston. While he has recorded one save on the season thus far, he also got shelled hard when making an appearance on April 3. His ERA stands at 9.00 and he has three strikeouts on the year. He’s the kind of guy that fantasy owners love and hate at the same time.
Jason Grilli Pittsburgh Pirates
Despite some rough outings for Jason Grilli and the Italian team in the WBC, Grilli has been doing quite well during the regular season. Grilli has converted three of three save opportunities thus far while striking out four and not letting up a single run. The biggest question mark for Grilli’s future lies more heavily on whether or not the Pirates can build a lead into the ninth.
Huston Street San Diego Padres
Huston Street has only made one appearance for the San Diego Padres this season and he was able to convert the save despite giving up a home run to Mets' catcher John Buck in the process. Street had a comeback year in 2012, closing out 23 games; however, the Padres aren’t expected to do much this season especially with Chase Headley out, which will thwart Street’s chances of getting opportunities.
Sergio Romo San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants fans have been wanting Sergio Romo to be the team’s closer since Brian Wilson went on the DL in 2012; however, they were stuck with Santiago Casilla. In 2013 the light apparently went off in Bruce Bochy’s head as he made Romo the closer; and what a smart move it was. Romo is currently leading all closers with five saves and has tallied eight strikeouts and a 0.20 WHIP to boot. Romo has one of the best sliders in the game and is currently on pace to break Francisco Rodriguez’s save record of 62 set back in 2008.
Mitchell Boggs St. Louis Cardinals
Due to Jason Motte still being on the DL, Mitchell Boggs has been doing his best to fill Motte’s shoes as the St. Louis Cardinal's closer. Boggs has been having a rough go of things, only being able to convert one save while getting rocked for a loss and a 14.54 ERA. It’s going to take some time for the Cardinals to find something that works as it is highly unlikely that Boggs will return this season. Brian Wilson is still available.
Rafael Soriano Washington Nationals
After losing faith in Drew Storen upon blowing a crucial save in Game five of the 2012 NLDS, the Washington Nationals signed Rafael Soriano to a huge contract to take over as the team’s closer. So far Soriano has been doing so-so, saving three games, striking out four, but his WHIP is a rocky 1.50 and his ERA stands at 9.00. He’s only blown one save thus far, but as New York Yankees fans learned last season, there are more to follow.
American League
Mariano Rivera New York Yankees
The legend has returned, and Mariano Rivera is looking to go out a winner in his final season as the Yankees' closer. Rivera got tagged pretty hard by a Jonny Gomes RBI double in his first appearance against the Boston Red Sox; however, he got his cutter working effectively and he was able to convert his one-and-only save on the year thus far. Expect Rivera’s saves to bolster after the All-Star break.
Fernando Rodney Tampa Bay Rays
In 2012 Fernando Rodney was the talk of baseball after saving 48 games with an ERA of 0.60. In 2013 Rodney started out the year with a blown save and his ERA is hovering around 16.20 with a 3.00 WHIP. Rodney has the ability to bounce back, so don’t fret too hard just yet.
Jim Johnson Baltimore Orioles
Jim Johnson closed a Major League Baseball-high 51 games in 2012 and is well on his way to repeating that figure. The Baltimore Orioles closer has converted both of his save opportunities and has yet to give up a run on the season. The Orioles are playing well, so that will give Johnson plenty of chances to help you in strikeouts, ERA and saves.
Casey Janssen Toronto Blue Jays
Casey Janssen was thrown into the closing role in 2012 and has done a fair job ever since. So far on the year Janssen has converted one save with three strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.50. In Janssen’s case, he is getting little-to-no opportunities for saves on account of the rough go by the Blue Jays starting-pitching staff.
Glen Perkins Minnesota Twins
Glen Perkins has done a remarkable job in the three games he’s made an appearance: two saves and a win. Perkins has yet to let a runner touch base and currently has three strikeouts on the season. So far he has been one of the more dominant closers on the year. Pick him up or make a deal for him as soon as you can.
Greg Holland Kansas City Royals
Greg Holland converted 16 saves for a team that didn’t really get a lot of wins last season, the Kansas City Royals. So for on the season Holland has two saves under his belt along with five strikeouts… and a 12.00 ERA, 3.67 WHIP, a hold and a blown save. He’s a bit of a risky pick at the moment, but the Royals are playing much better ball than last season which will surely give him more chances to convert.
Phil Coke Detroit Tigers
Jose Valverde had a meltdown last season which thrust Phil Coke into the closer role. So far the experiment is not working out too well as Coke has converted one save and blown another. The Detroit Tigers signed Valverde to a minor league deal which means he’ll probably be back up with the Tigers within a month. Who knows what will happen then? Might not be a bad time to get Al Alburquerque stretched out.
Joe Smith Cleveland Indians
Joe Smith is relatively unknown and not the former Golden State Warriors forward. Actually, he’s merely a replacement closer until Chris Perez comes back to the Cleveland Indians from the DL. Smith currently has a hold and a save to his name along with three strikeouts and a 0.33 WHIP. If the Indians can get him more chances to save, it wouldn’t be too surprising if he keeps the role for a bit after Perez’s return.
Addison Reed Chicago White Sox
Addison Reed has been throwing bullets for the Chicago White Sox this season to the tune of three of three converted saves plus a win for the South Siders. Reed has walked two batters and only given up one hit while striking out four. Last season he converted 29 saves, don’t be too surprised if he gets over 32 this season.
Ernesto Frieri Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels bullpen is in sad shape, and has been for a while, so don’t expect Ernest Frieri to convert too many saves this year. So far he’s logged one in the two games he’s made an appearance; however, his ERA is at 4.50 even with four strikeouts. It’s a gamble, but not one that will pay off well come season’s end.
??? Houston Astros
It’s kind of a mystery who officially is the Houston Astros as they’ve only been able to convert one save this season, and that was by one of their starting pitchers Erik Bedard in the first game of the 2013 season. As of now, it’s still up in the air.
Grant Balfour Oakland Athletics
Grant Balfour is one for one on save conversions this season, but he got absolutely rocked in his first appearance by Seattle Mariners' slugger Michael Morse in a losing effort during their second game of the season. Balfour had an up-and-down year in 2012 so don’t let that discourage you. The Oakland Athletics' bats have been doing well which will give Balfour more opportunities to save games, just as long as they don’t have a four to five run lead going into the ninth inning.
Tom Wilhelmsen Seattle Mariners
Tom Wilhelmsen got thrown into the closer role toward the middle of the 2012 season and has been doing a fine job ever since. So far on the year he’s converted three of three save opportunities, but has only struck out one batter in the process. Wilhelmsen is a groundout-flyout type pitcher which tends to be risky at times; however, “The Bartender” is reliable when trying to pitch out of a jam despite what his 3.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP say. Stick with him.
Joe Nathan Texas Rangers
Joe Nathan converted his 300th save of his career on Monday despite very controversial circumstances. No matter. Nathan has made four appearances for the Texas Rangers this year and has converted both save opportunities he’s been presented. He currently has a 2.25 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP, not bad. Nathan’s performance will hinder more toward whether or not he’ll be put in a save situation; if he is, don’t expect him to falter. The tough save is all ready behind him.