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NL Report
Saving grace: Closer situations and their alternatives
Posted: Friday June 21, 2002 6:41 PM
Scott Stewart has been nearly untouchable since taking over the closer's role in Montreal. |
By Jason Grey, Special to CNNSI.com
Continuing with the theme from this week's AL Report, let's examine the closer situations in the National League bullpens and see what the alternatives might be. For those of you able to take advantage of our call on Francisco Cordero, you're welcome.
We'll go alphabetically by team:
Arizona: Matt Mantei or no Matt Mantei, there is no question that Byung-Hyun Kim is the man here. Even if Mantei returns and miraculously regains the closer role, how long would he stay healthy? Kim is as bankable as you can get, especially in 5X5 leagues.
Atlanta: John Smoltz's long contract ensures that Tim Spooneybarger won't get an opportunity anytime soon. If something were to happen to Smoltz in the short term, Mike Remlinger and Kerry Ligtenberg would likely split the duty, with Ligtenberg getting the lions' share.
Chicago: An interesting situation is brewing here. Antonio Alfonseca is pitching well, even though he has barely gotten any save opportunities. Tom Gordon is apparently throwing extremely well in his recovery from arm trouble and wants the role back. However, like Mantei, can you count on him to remain injury-free? Meanwhile, Kyle Farnsworth continues to show he could do the job right now if given the chance. On top of all that, are persistent rumors the Angels are after Alfonseca. Short term, look for Alfonseca unless he's traded or melts down, and Farnsworth should be a rock-solid future play.
Cincinnati: Danny Graves is obviously the man until his arm falls off, which may very well happen considering his workload over the last few years. Scott Sullivan could do the job as well, but he has been worked as hard as Graves. John Riedling is a very good dark horse candidate if the Reds move someone in the bullpen and/or there happens to be an injury.
Colorado: Jose Jimenez and then Todd Jones. Pretty clear cut. Let's move on.
Florida: Vladimir Nunez took the ball and ran with it, taking with him any hopes of Braden Looper closing again, perhaps for any team. Looper just tanked hard when given the job. Blaine Neal is an excellent speculative play, as the Marlins continually develop closers and then deal them.
Houston: Billy Wagner and then Octavio Dotel. Pretty clear cut yet again.
Los Angeles: The signs were there in the preseason that Eric Gagne would be dominant. Guillermo Mota is next in line, but Gagne will continues to excel and is a good candidate to avoid injury.
Milwaukee: Mike DeJean managed to get himself trough a tough stretch which included a bout of wildness and keep his hold on the job. With Chad Fox injured yet again, and Curtis Leskanic recovering slowly, Luis Vizcaino is the only competition. DeJean keeps shutting the door, he keeps getting to do it again. Simple as that.
Montreal: Scott Stewart is a perfect 7 for 7. It doesn't get much better than 100 percent. It is amazing that Matt Herges has a 3.06 ERA with his 1.78 WHIP. He would be next in line, and that would probably be scary for fantasy owners.
New York: Armando Benitez may have trouble now and then but overall, you can't argue. Scott Strickland is a very good alternative.
Philadelphia: Jose Mesa continues to baffle me, although he has struggled lately. Of course, the alternative is Ricky Bottalico, and that is an uglier proposition.
Pittsburgh: Mike Williams has exceeded expectations this year. Josias Manzanillo was a popular dark horse candidate in the preseason, but Williams jumped out of the gate strong and never looked back. Now Manzanillo is now recovering from injury. Mike Fetters would be a short-term alternative should something happen to Williams.
San Diego: Trevor Hoffman. Trevor Hoffman. Trevor Hoffman. Steve Reed and Alan Embree would share the duties if Hoffman got hurt. Jeremy Fikac will be back eventually and could be the guy of the future.
San Francisco: Felix Rodriguez has not pitched well this year but he is still probably the best backup to Robb Nen. The other relievers are not well suited for closing consistently, except maybe Tim Worrell.
St. Louis: Pretty simple to figure out. It's Jason Isringhausen when he is healthy. It's Dave Veres when Izzy is not, except when a tough lefty or lefties loom in the ninth, in which case it's Steve Kline.
It is a no-brainer to roster the alternative to protect your high-priced closer if you can reasonably do so. Sometimes you can't account for every possibility, but you can make some very educated guesses. Guess right, and you can rest easy knowing that you won't have one category entirely blown due to one player getting hurt.
Jason Grey is the publisher of The Masters of Fantasy Baseball at www.mastersball.com, a free daily source for news, analysis, insight, and opinion. Their 2002 annual featuring strategy and player profiles as well as their 2002 projections for various game formats are available now. Mastersball.com is a member of the Tout Wars and Major League Baseball's experts leagues.
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