Meet 2007's closers and closers in waiting

	Bob Wickman shined as the Braves' closer late last year but has two big arms behind him in the Atlanta bullpen. Mike Zarrilli/WireImage.com

By Dan Heyder, Special to SI.com

For the most part in fantasy baseball, when we talk about relief pitchers we're referring to closers. If you're in an 8-12 team league, closers usually comprise most of your relief pitching because they are the only ones who can get you saves on a regular basis. But in some leagues, middle relief guys can add some value, especially in head-to-head leagues where holds is a category or in Rotisserie leagues.

Another way to add value to your pitching staff is to utilize relievers, often middle relievers, to maximize your ratios (ERA and WHIP), while adding solid strikeout numbers, not to mention adding the odd win.

In some situations like the Twins, Yankees, Mets and Angels, the pitcher currently closing is pretty much locked into that position. Barring a catastrophic injury or a Derrick Turnbow-like implosion, the setup man in "waiting" carries very little value.

On the other hand, there are the other type situations such as the Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Indians and Cubs where the picture is not as clear as to who is going to close come opening day and for how long. These particular scenarios are not for the weak-stomached fantasy players, as they will indeed cause trepidation at your draft followed by possible bouts of heartburn all season long.

Therefore, the list below highlights each team's closers and the guys who is likely second in line to take over in case of injury or ineffectiveness. This secondary option is the closer in waiting.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Closer: Jose Valverde (2-3, 5.84 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 69 Ks, 18 SVs)
Waiting: Jorge Julio (2-4, 4.23 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 88 Ks, 16 SVs)
Valverde is about as consistent as a shooting star sighting. He began the 2006 season in dominant fashion, which only lasted a month and a half, before losing the role in June only to regain it again in September, when he posted a 2.25 ERA. The inconsistency led to the D'backs' decision to acquire Julio early last season. Look for Julio to overtake Valverde should the latter have a recurrence of last year.

Atlanta Braves
Closer: Bob Wickman (1-6, 2.67 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 42 Ks, 33 SVs)
Waiting: Rafael Soriano (1-2, 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 65 Ks, 2 SVs)
Wickman, who surprised many by recording a K/BB ratio of 43:13, was given an extension in 2007, making him a decent fantasy option. If Wickman falters (which is likely), Soriano and his nasty repertoire of pitches will be in line to close. However, the Braves acquired former Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez on Jan. 18, so there is obviously a chance that he could overtake Soriano for closing duties should Wickman stumble.

Baltimore Orioles
Closer: Chris Ray (4-4, 2.73 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 51 Ks, 33 SVs)
Waiting: Danys Baez (5-6, 4.53 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 39 Ks, 9 SVs)
Ray had a very impressive 2006, his first season as a closer. The fact he had more strikeouts than hits allowed is a good sign entering 2007. He'd be a borderline No. 1 closer for a fantasy team, since his save chances might be limited in Baltimore. Baez is a nice insurance policy for the O's but has absolutely no value whatsoever in fantasy leagues unless Ray gets hurt.

Boston Red Sox
Closer: Joel Pineiro (8-13, 6.36 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 87 Ks, 1 SV)
Waiting: Craig Hansen (2-2, 6.63 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 30 Ks, 0 SV)
Boston brass are hoping good things come in threes. First, Eric Gagne, and then Joe Nathan. Can Pineiro be the next failed starter to get a new lease on life as a closer? His overall numbers have been trending downward since 2001 and he's lost velocity on his fastball. Hansen could be a sneaky pick should Pineiro falter, but there's a lot of risk since he has limited big-league experience.

Chicago Cubs
Closer: Ryan Dempster (1-9, 4.80 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 67 Ks, 24 SVs)
Waiting: Kerry Wood (1-2, 4.12 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 13 Ks, 0 SV)
Dempster started last year red-hot, saving his first seven opportunities with ease. Then he fell apart and gave all of his owners some serious headaches the rest of the way. He'll start the year as the closer but with a much shorter leash. As for Wood, he'll make the move to the bullpen this season, so don't necessarily look for him in save situations. Consider him a middle reliever worth stashing in deeper leagues on draft day, but he could be elevated to the closer's role sometime in 2007 if he stays healthy and effective.

Chicago White Sox
Closer: Bobby Jenks (3-4, 4.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 80 Ks, 41 SVs)
Waiting: Mike MacDougal (1-1, 1.55 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 21 Ks, 1 SV)
Jenks, in just his first full season in the fireman's role, surprised many by his knack to close out games (only four blown saves in 2006). He had said once in an interview that he doesn't worry about how many runs he gives up as long as he preserves the win. That's a pretty accurate statement considering his rather high ERA and WHIP for a closer. MacDougal gives the White Sox another closing option should Jenks get hurt, though he'll primarily work in a setup role.

Cincinnati Reds
Closer: David Weathers (4-4, 3.54 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 50 Ks, 12 SVs)
Waiting: Bill Bray (3-2, 4.09 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 39 Ks, 2 SVs)
Weathers started 2006 as the closer but moved into a setup role after he struggled. He pitched well from July through the end of the season, and finished with a team-high 12 saves. He returned to the Reds and took less money so he could get a chance to close again. Consider him an option for save chances on draft day, but he doesn't figure to be a full-time closer even at his best. Bray, on the other hand, converted two of his three save chances after coming to the Reds from Washington in a July trade. He's a long shot at best to have any significant fantasy value this year with multiple options in the Reds bullpen this year (Todd Coffey, Mike Stanton).