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…
To help keep fantasy managers on top of injuries this spring, Fantasy Baseball Insiders has launched a team-by-team injury report. This list will be updated every night so you can stay up to date on current injuries. Bookmark this page for an easy return. This is a must have as you prepare for your upcoming draft!
Over the last three years, only five closers have recorded at least 30 saves each season (Jonathan Papelbon, Francisco Cordero, Mariano Rivera, Joakim Soria and Brian Wilson). This fact alone illustrates the high turnover rate at this unstable position.
With nearly half of baseball's 30 teams likely to start 2011 with a new closer, it's important for fantasy managers to brush up on the bullpens in transition.
Every week during the 2011 season, I'll update the Closer's Corner as ninth-inning roles change hands. In the meantime, I'll post updates as free agents continue to sign and spring training battles become more clear...
Game No. 16 of 162 in Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ summer-long journey featured a pitcher’s duel between Randy Wells and Jonathan Niese, as well as Ike Davis’ major league debut.
Game No. 16 – Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets
Randy Wells turned in another solid performance against the Mets Monday night, allowing just one run on six hits and two walks in six innings. The 27-year-old also struck out five...
America loves the underdog; it’s a fact. More importantly, fantasy owners love the underdog. Not only are they fun to root for, but they often come much cheaper than what they should.
If there’s one thing you’ve learned from me this season, it better be the importance of value. Lucky for you, this week’s Fantasy Focus is a perfect example of just that; players who produce above their market value.
So without further adieu, I bring to you the All-Underappreciated Team of 2009…
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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