Panzram
03-15-2006, 10:59 PM
RP Chris Ray, Orioles
Ray spent the early part of 2005 posting ridiculous stats (0.93 ERA, 0.62 WHIP) at the minor league level before getting his call. Ray then performed admirably in the Show, posting a 2.66 ERA, .222 BAA, and 43 strikeouts over 40.2 innings. The Orioles lost closer B.J. Ryan (and former closer Jorge Julio) this offseason, and despite the acquisition of LaTroy Hawkins, Ray will have first crack at the ninth inning job. The 24-year-old won't likely match Ryan's numbers (36 saves, 100 strikeouts), but we'd be surprised if the relative unknown didn't serve as a decent third closer in combo leagues.
RP Chad Orvella, Devil Rays
The Devil Rays are throwing around the word "committee" when talking about their closer situation, but we're not buying it. Orvella, Shinji Mori, and Dan Miceli are all in the mix, and that's like saying Tyra Banks, Rosie O'Donnell, and Kathy Bates are the three finalists for a beauty pageant. After destroying the minor leagues for two-plus years, Orvella jumped up to the majors last May and worked through some jitters. After the All-Star break, he posted a 2.35 ERA, .228 BAA, and 26 strikeouts over 30.2 innings. Orvella learned to trust his stuff last year, and his numbers will be even better this season.
RP Rafael Soriano, Mariners
By far the deepest name on this list, Soriano missed nearly all of 2005 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He looked sharp in his limited return and will enter this season as a setup man for closer Eddie Guardado. The veteran left-hander will undoubtedly enter the year as the stopper, but he's in the last year of his contract and once again attempting to pitch with a torn left rotator cuff. Guardado's temporary and tentative status and Soriano's clear upside (see 2003) lead us to reasonably assume this 25-year-old could take over the ninth inning during the season.
Huston Street OAK RP May get overlooked because he was not the closer all year last season. Will produce very good ERA and WHIP numbers. With the experience he gained from last year and starting 2006 as the closer, 35 to 40 saves could be obtained making him a top fantasy closer. Don't let him slip too far down in the draft.
Derrick Turnbow MIL RP Not well known before last season, he had a breakout year in 2005. Do not overbid/draft him too early, but he should be a top closer again in 2006. He may get overlooked because he plays in Milwaukee, but would be a good middle round pick on an improving team.
Daniel Cabrera - BAL He's going dirt-cheap so far because people are leery of his walk numbers, and there is some merit to that. With his mid-90's fastball and the downward movement on his pitches that induces a lot of groundouts, Cabrera can be absolutely dominant when he's on, and he has the stuff of a to...
Joe Borowski RP Florida Marlins
The recently signed Borowksi will most likely have the Marlins' closer job heading in to Spring Training. The 34-year-old Borowski had 33 saves for the Cubs 3 seasons ago, but has been slowed by a shoulder injury the past 2 years. He posted a 1.05 WHIP in 35+ IP and recorded 19 Holds with the D'Rays in 2005 after being let go by the Cubs. If Borowski is healthy, he could give the Marlins a second consecutive surprise closer following Todd Jones' 2005 performance.
AL
Keith Foulke CL Boston Red Sox
Foulke had a disastrous 2005 pitching with knee problems. His performance warranted the Red Sox bringing in another closer this off-season to close over him in 2006. Early indications are the Red Sox aren't doing that, (they have not been in on Billy Wagner or B.J. Ryan to this point). The 33-year old Foulke should be recovered from his second knee operation in the past 6 months in time for Spring Training, and he may just still have his closer job when he does.
NL
Ryan Wagner RP Cincinnati Reds
Wagner probably doesn't deserve another chance to be in line to close for the Reds after 2 disappointing seasons. However, the cost conscious Reds may not bring in a veteran closer this off-season and head in to 2006 with David Weathers closing with Wagner ready to take over if/when he finally starts to pitch effectively. Wagner's 2005 season ended early with a shoulder problem and maybe that's the answer to his not meeting expectations. If healthy in 2006, Wagner may finally take over as the Reds closer as has been expected since he reached the majors in his initial pro season of 2003.
Scott Linebrink RP San Diego
The Trevor Hoffman coming back to SD free agent negotiations aren't going as smoothly as many expected. If the Hoffman does take off, the closer role in SD could go to Linebrink. The 29-year-old Linebrink had a 1.06 WHIP with 70 K in 73+ IP this past year. He had 26 holds and 28 the year before. Linebrink has closer stuff and dominated left hand hitters, .560 opposition OPS, and right hand hitters, .609 opposition OPS, in 2005. I like his chances to succeed as a closer if the opportunity does arise.
Mike Gonzalez RP Pittsburgh
New manager Jim Tracy is on record that the left handed Gonzalez would close over Salomon Torres if a veteran closer isn't brought in. Gonzalez had the break out 2004 season with 0.88 WHIP in 43+ IP. However, the 27-year-old had an inconsistent enchore season aided by a knee injury this year. He did finish strong sharing the closer role with Torres after Jose Mesa's demotion. Gonzalez was 2-2 in save chances in September with an impressive line of 14 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 9 BB, 21 K in the month.
Aaron Heilman RP/SP New York
Heilman's role for 2006 is unclear. He ended the 2005 season sharing the closer role with Roberto Hernandez following Braden Looper's demotion. However, he's starting in the Dominican Winter League and was a starting pitcher through out his minor league career. The Mets most likely will bring in a veteran closer, putting Heilman in a set up role or in the starting rotation entering 2006.
No matter what role the 27-year-old is in next year good results can be expected based on his 2005 numbers. Heilman had a 1.15 WHIP in 108 IP and was dominate in the second half, 0.68 ERA in 40 IP. His final 4 outings of the year were successful save chances and he pitched a 1 hit shut out in April while in the rotation for the injured Kris Benson.
Ray spent the early part of 2005 posting ridiculous stats (0.93 ERA, 0.62 WHIP) at the minor league level before getting his call. Ray then performed admirably in the Show, posting a 2.66 ERA, .222 BAA, and 43 strikeouts over 40.2 innings. The Orioles lost closer B.J. Ryan (and former closer Jorge Julio) this offseason, and despite the acquisition of LaTroy Hawkins, Ray will have first crack at the ninth inning job. The 24-year-old won't likely match Ryan's numbers (36 saves, 100 strikeouts), but we'd be surprised if the relative unknown didn't serve as a decent third closer in combo leagues.
RP Chad Orvella, Devil Rays
The Devil Rays are throwing around the word "committee" when talking about their closer situation, but we're not buying it. Orvella, Shinji Mori, and Dan Miceli are all in the mix, and that's like saying Tyra Banks, Rosie O'Donnell, and Kathy Bates are the three finalists for a beauty pageant. After destroying the minor leagues for two-plus years, Orvella jumped up to the majors last May and worked through some jitters. After the All-Star break, he posted a 2.35 ERA, .228 BAA, and 26 strikeouts over 30.2 innings. Orvella learned to trust his stuff last year, and his numbers will be even better this season.
RP Rafael Soriano, Mariners
By far the deepest name on this list, Soriano missed nearly all of 2005 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He looked sharp in his limited return and will enter this season as a setup man for closer Eddie Guardado. The veteran left-hander will undoubtedly enter the year as the stopper, but he's in the last year of his contract and once again attempting to pitch with a torn left rotator cuff. Guardado's temporary and tentative status and Soriano's clear upside (see 2003) lead us to reasonably assume this 25-year-old could take over the ninth inning during the season.
Huston Street OAK RP May get overlooked because he was not the closer all year last season. Will produce very good ERA and WHIP numbers. With the experience he gained from last year and starting 2006 as the closer, 35 to 40 saves could be obtained making him a top fantasy closer. Don't let him slip too far down in the draft.
Derrick Turnbow MIL RP Not well known before last season, he had a breakout year in 2005. Do not overbid/draft him too early, but he should be a top closer again in 2006. He may get overlooked because he plays in Milwaukee, but would be a good middle round pick on an improving team.
Daniel Cabrera - BAL He's going dirt-cheap so far because people are leery of his walk numbers, and there is some merit to that. With his mid-90's fastball and the downward movement on his pitches that induces a lot of groundouts, Cabrera can be absolutely dominant when he's on, and he has the stuff of a to...
Joe Borowski RP Florida Marlins
The recently signed Borowksi will most likely have the Marlins' closer job heading in to Spring Training. The 34-year-old Borowski had 33 saves for the Cubs 3 seasons ago, but has been slowed by a shoulder injury the past 2 years. He posted a 1.05 WHIP in 35+ IP and recorded 19 Holds with the D'Rays in 2005 after being let go by the Cubs. If Borowski is healthy, he could give the Marlins a second consecutive surprise closer following Todd Jones' 2005 performance.
AL
Keith Foulke CL Boston Red Sox
Foulke had a disastrous 2005 pitching with knee problems. His performance warranted the Red Sox bringing in another closer this off-season to close over him in 2006. Early indications are the Red Sox aren't doing that, (they have not been in on Billy Wagner or B.J. Ryan to this point). The 33-year old Foulke should be recovered from his second knee operation in the past 6 months in time for Spring Training, and he may just still have his closer job when he does.
NL
Ryan Wagner RP Cincinnati Reds
Wagner probably doesn't deserve another chance to be in line to close for the Reds after 2 disappointing seasons. However, the cost conscious Reds may not bring in a veteran closer this off-season and head in to 2006 with David Weathers closing with Wagner ready to take over if/when he finally starts to pitch effectively. Wagner's 2005 season ended early with a shoulder problem and maybe that's the answer to his not meeting expectations. If healthy in 2006, Wagner may finally take over as the Reds closer as has been expected since he reached the majors in his initial pro season of 2003.
Scott Linebrink RP San Diego
The Trevor Hoffman coming back to SD free agent negotiations aren't going as smoothly as many expected. If the Hoffman does take off, the closer role in SD could go to Linebrink. The 29-year-old Linebrink had a 1.06 WHIP with 70 K in 73+ IP this past year. He had 26 holds and 28 the year before. Linebrink has closer stuff and dominated left hand hitters, .560 opposition OPS, and right hand hitters, .609 opposition OPS, in 2005. I like his chances to succeed as a closer if the opportunity does arise.
Mike Gonzalez RP Pittsburgh
New manager Jim Tracy is on record that the left handed Gonzalez would close over Salomon Torres if a veteran closer isn't brought in. Gonzalez had the break out 2004 season with 0.88 WHIP in 43+ IP. However, the 27-year-old had an inconsistent enchore season aided by a knee injury this year. He did finish strong sharing the closer role with Torres after Jose Mesa's demotion. Gonzalez was 2-2 in save chances in September with an impressive line of 14 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 9 BB, 21 K in the month.
Aaron Heilman RP/SP New York
Heilman's role for 2006 is unclear. He ended the 2005 season sharing the closer role with Roberto Hernandez following Braden Looper's demotion. However, he's starting in the Dominican Winter League and was a starting pitcher through out his minor league career. The Mets most likely will bring in a veteran closer, putting Heilman in a set up role or in the starting rotation entering 2006.
No matter what role the 27-year-old is in next year good results can be expected based on his 2005 numbers. Heilman had a 1.15 WHIP in 108 IP and was dominate in the second half, 0.68 ERA in 40 IP. His final 4 outings of the year were successful save chances and he pitched a 1 hit shut out in April while in the rotation for the injured Kris Benson.