Closer rankings

By Antonio D'Arcangelis, RotoExperts.com, Special to SI.com

New York's Mariano Rivera isn't just one of this year's premier closers -- he's arguably the greatest of all-time. Kathy Willens/AP

Danny Weeks isn't a fantasy baseball expert. He's just a good friend who recently turned the big 4-0. He's an unapologetic New York Yankee loyalist, a consummate beer-league third baseman and an unflagging competitor who loves sacrifice bunts. I've seen Danny routinely stop hot shots with his face at third, pick up the ball with only the hint of a grimace and gun dudes down by a step. If you're an ASA umpire and you burn him with a bad call, prepare for a vociferous exchange.

Danny's loyalty and convictions naturally extend to the usual New York Yankee royalty, and if he played fantasy baseball, he'd undoubtedly reach a couple rounds too early for Derek Jeter. In a recent verbal joust we covered a host of my favorite topics -- from A-Rod's offseason to Jorge Posada's ever-diminishing ability to prevent balls from smashing against the backstop. Though we frequently disagreed, mostly about Jeter, Danny tossed out one undeniable comment regarding closers that I couldn't refute -- Mariano Rivera is the best closer ever. He even went a step further, pointing out that every time he and his Yankee-obsessed family hop on Exit 21 on the New York State Thruway and make the two-hour trip down to the games, he reiterates to his three young daughters that Mo is the best role player in perhaps the history of sports.

I'm equally impressed with the raw physical skills and aggressive mentality of Jonathan Papelbon -- a ruggedly built young man in the classic closer mold who already owns a World Series ring. Papelbon idolizes Rivera -- and while the blistering speed and nasty splitter are important to his success, he's not necessarily poised for as long a career in a closing role if he keeps beating on his arm. In searching for another Rivera-style closer who's bound for a comparable career, I'd lean toward the Royals' Joakim Soria, who's about as analogous to Mo as you're going to get when it comes to his naturally cutting fastball and easy, repeatable delivery. He probably won't win as many pennants as Rivera, but the aforementioned traits they share have helped Rivera consistently put up ungodly numbers in his chosen vocation.

Even mechanically, the two are similar. Soria, like Rivera, has a high-three-quarters release point and gets ahead of hitters quickly with his 88-93 mph fastball. Like Rivera, he regularly throws first-pitch strikes and can work over hitters with multiple pitches. The "Mexicutioner" also mixes in a sharp dropping knuckle-curve and a plus changeup with good movement that's often his out pitch. Sure, he's got remarkable poise for a 24-year-old, but it's the jumpy fastball and outstanding late-breaking stuff that means he could be doing it for a very long time. Shouldn't that be the true mark of the game's best closers -- and exactly what you're looking for on your fantasy team?

I'm actually taking over this column from RotoExpert Paul Bourdett this season while he focuses on weekly waiver wire additions in The Pickup Artist. Paul said in last month's draft kit that in standard 5x5 leagues, there are two things you should look for out of your relievers: saves and strikeouts (in that order). He also pointed out that the sum of your fantasy bullpen's parts is more important than any individual player, that starter performance and avoiding disaster in your bullpen are the primary factors in your WHIP and ERA standing from week-to-week. I'm not going to disagree with Paul; I think he's doled out solid advice. Where I'll try to diverge is by pointing out the closers and setup men who possess the requisite movement on their fastballs and a nice off-speed mélange -- a combination that helps keep arms healthy and jobs safe. So let's get to the pecking order, where things can change pretty quickly. I've italicized last year's numbers, leading off with saves, opportunities and save percentage.

"On Board"

Mariano Rivera, NYY
39-for-40 (97.5%), 70.2 IP, 77 Ks, 1.40 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
The shoulder looks A-OK and Rivera still shows no signs of age that could threaten his job security. He's coming off one of his best statistical seasons ever, so age is not an issue. What's interesting is that the Yankees have a myriad of options behind him, including a few guys in Damaso Marte, Brian Bruney, Jose Veras or even Joba Chamberlain -- who could get the job done if Mo ever went down. Unless there's a major setback, Rivera should continue to be his usual unhittable self as the Yanks' closer.
Next in line: Damaso Marte
Third in line: Edwar Ramirez, Brian Bruney

Jonathan Papelbon, BOS
41-for-46 (89.1%), 69.1 IP, 77 Ks, 2.34 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
I always worry about his arm, but Papelbon is probably the critics' odds-on favorite to lead the majors in saves and strikeouts among closers. Behind him are Hideki Okajima, as well as former Dodgers closer Takashi Saito. Both are effective setup men who'll post admirable numbers in deep leagues that reward WHIP and holds.
Next in line: Hideki Okajima
Third in line: Takashi Saito, Manny Delcarmen

Joe Nathan, MIN
39-for-45 (86.7%), 67.2 IP, 74 Ks, 1.33 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
Nathan pulled out of the World Baseball Classic because of a sore shoulder, but was perfect in his recent one-inning appearance against the Orioles. It looks like the shoulder is all better. Nathan has multiple pitches and a very effective four-seam fastball that spikes in the high 90s, but he's been developing a cutter that could be his ticket to a long career.
Next in line: Jesse Crain
Third in line: Craig Breslow, Luis Ayala

Brad Lidge, PHI
41-for-41 (100%), 69.1 IP, 92 Ks, 1.95 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
Lidge was perfect in 2008 and looked like the closer we all remember before the unseemly debacle in Houston where he lost his job after a bunch of blown saves. He's actually the all-time leader in K/9 (12.98) among pitchers with at least 200 appearances in their career. I had nearly forgotten that just last year he tore the meniscus in his right knee during spring training, had arthroscopic surgery, and sat out until April 5. But "Lights Out" Lidge rebounded and used his two-pitch repertoire to consistently mow down opposing hitters.
Next in line: Ryan Madson
Third in line: Chad Durbin

Joakim Soria, KC
42-for-45 (93.3%), 67.1 IP, 66 Ks, 1.60 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
I just can't stop singing the praises of Soria, whose job security rivals the best closers in the league. He's got it all as a closer -- a live arm, a bunch of weapons and poise. He's good enough to draft among the top five RP in any league even though he plays for a team that'll likely win less than 80 games. Juan Cruz is a quality setup man who struck out an amazing 71 batters in 51.2 innings last year for the D-Backs and held the opposition to a .192 BA.
Next in line: Juan Cruz
Third in line: Kyle Farnsworth, Ron Mahay

Francisco Rodríguez, NYM
62-for-69 (89.9%), 68.1 IP, 77 Ks, 2.24 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
K-Rod's jerky motion and flimsy ankles are the main reasons I don't like his inclusion among the league's elite closers. Sure, he blew up for 62 saves last season, but anything over 50 is truly an anomaly. He's got a proven stud behind him, and if he struggles, there will be whispers about putting in J.J. Putz. Beware drafting Rodriguez among the top three closers, even though it's been chic to do so.
Next in line: J.J. Putz
Third in line: Pedro Feliciano

Jonathan Broxton, LAD
14-for-22 (63.6%), 69 IP, 88 Ks, 3.13 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
It was only a matter of time before Broxton entered a season as the Dodgers' closer. He's got a heavy sinker and can get outs, but needs to prove he's meant to be LA's finisher. Hong-Chih Kuo is a solid middle-reliever and setup man, but has struggled to stay healthy over the years. Corey Wade is an up-and-comer with a nice arsenal of live pitches at his disposal.
Next in line: Hong-Chih Kuo
Third in line: Corey Wade, Guillermo Mota

Bobby Jenks, CWS
30-for-34 (88.2%), 61.2 IP, 38 Ks, 2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
Jenks isn't as overpowering as he was in 2006 and 2007, but he's still fairly effective. Anything can happen at any time in Chicago, and of the guys who've racked up a ton of saves over the past few years, I like Jenks the least because he doesn't have great off-speed stuff outside of a plus curve. He's not very deceptive -- almost Farnsworth-ish in that respect, and you can ask people from New York what they think of Kyle Farnsworth (RP, KC).
Next in line: Matt Thornton
Third in line: Octavio Dotel, Scott Linebrink

José Valverde, HOU
44-for-51 (86.3%), 72 IP, 83 Ks, 3.38 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Valverde limits mistakes by mixing up his four pitches (two-seamer, four-seamer, splitter and slider) and walking few batters. He's a dependable closer and definitely among the best in the league when he's locating his fastballs. LaTroy Hawkins retains a slight edge over the ancient Doug Brocail as the next man up.
Next in line: LaTroy Hawkins
Third in line: Doug Brocail

Francisco Cordero, CIN
34-for-40 (85%), 70.1 IP, 78 Ks, 3.33 ERA, 1.41 WHIP
I've always had a fascination with the hard-throwing Cordero, but his fastball is a bit on the straight side, and the fact that he relies a lot on his nasty slider means he'll walk batters and incur occasional arm injuries. He's a definite risk, but he'll still get you 30 saves and a strikeout per inning when healthy.
Next in line: David Weathers
Third in line: Jared Burton

Trevor Hoffman, MIL
30-for-34 (88.2%), 45.1 IP, 46 Ks, 3.77 ERA, 1.04 WHIP
The legendary Hoffman could land on the DL due to an oblique strain, and if that's the case there will be a shuffle, with Carlos Villanueva, David Riske or even Seth McClung assuming the reins in a committee situation. I actually like McClung in Hoffman's stead, although he's been inconsistent as a closer, has a tough time facing lefties and didn't have the endurance to make it as a starter. Just stay tuned to the injury reports and adjust accordingly.
Next in line: Carlos Villanueva, Seth McClung
Third in line: David Riske, Todd Coffey

Kerry Wood, CLE
34-for-40 (85%), 66.1 IP, 84 Ks, 3.26 ERA, 1.09 WHIP
When healthy, Wood is as dynamic as the game's best relievers. But the inherent risk this season is his back. Although he's looked good for a few outings, don't sleep on the setup men in Cleveland because they've got a slew of young arms with lots of life.
Next in line: Rafael Betancourt
Third in line: Jensen Lewis