While messy bullpen situations dominated early-season headlines, the Closer’s Corner has been less exciting over the past few weeks. Here’s the latest:
Joakim Soria pitched two perfect innings Monday, earning the extra-inning win and re-gaining his role as the team’s closer. Aaron Crow didn’t see a save opportunity in his one week as the Royals closer, and will return to a setup role...
Kansas City Royals' closer Joakim Soria blew his third consecutive save opportunity on Monday, his fifth in 12 chances. His ERA has ballooned to 6.55, and Royals' manager Ned Yost announced after Sunday's game that Soria would be relieved from his ninth inning duties. Aaron Crow will take his place, and is a must add in all formats.
Soria was thought to be one of the most reliable closers in the game two months ago, but a decline in strikeouts (7.77 K/9 this season, 9.75 career), increase in walks (4.09 BB/9, 2.60 career) and drop in average fastball velocity (90.5 mph, 91.9 last year) have left the Royals and fantasy managers alike with a pitcher that can't get anyone out...
The start of the 2011 season has been filled with surprises, particularly in terms of blown saves. The White Sox's and Cardinals' bullpens have been especially unpredictable recently. Here's the latest...
Closers are the most overrated players in fantasy baseball. The good ones deliver strong contributions to one category, but generally pitch less than five innings per week.
During drafts, I usually ignore the position until the late rounds. Despite this strategy, my teams are usually very strong in the saves category. In fact, my teams have finished tied-first, second, first and first in saves over the last four seasons in my 10-team roto keeper league.
How is this possible you ask? It’s simple really. Let me run some numbers by you…
The Toronto Blue Jays were finally able to find a taker for Vernon Wells’ hefty contract, dealing him to the Angels last Friday in exchange for Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera. (Click here for fantasy perspective on Vernon Wells in Anaheim.)
On Tuesday, the Blue Jays flipped Napoli to the Rangers for relief pitcher Frank Francisco. (Click here for fantasy perspective on Mike Napoli in Texas.)
Francisco (the guy formerly known for throwing a chair into the stands) will join the recently acquired Octavio Dotel and Jon Rauch in a battle this spring to determine the team’s closer for the 2011 season.
Of course nothing will be decided until March, but it’s never to early too speculate...
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
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