MLB Closer Watch 2008-2009
Baseball closer is not a position with much job security. We update our Closer Watch grid daily so you know who's in line for saves with each MLB club.
Update: TEX -- 8/25/2008
According to the Dallas Morning News today, Frank Francisco will be the go-to man for the Rangers following Eddie Guardado's trade, but Francisco's own recent ups and downs don't make him seem like much of a safe bet, either.
Updated 8/28/2008
| Closer | Leaning In | Notes | |
 |
BAL Sherrill |
Johnson Hoey (DL) Ray (DL) |
New lefty George Sherrill has taken over in Baltimore, with Chris Ray likely to be left on the outside looking in when he returns late in the year. That's unless the Orioles decide to flip Sherrill for more young talent at the deadline. Speaking of young talent, James Hoey is out for the year after surgery, but ex-Cub Rocky Cherry still has a shot at some fill-in saves along the way. |
 |
BOS Papelbon |
Okajima Timlin Hansen |
It brought them a World Series, so why mess with success? Papelbon has the attitude and the dance moves to stay a closer for his whole career. He'll be rested often, though (the Papelbon Rules?), which means Okajima could pick up saves all year long, too. Craig Hansen is a nice dark horse as he returns from throat surgery. |
 |
NYY Rivera |
Marte Ramirez Melancon, Cox |
Ignore the hype: Mo is a Yankee for life and will be holding the league in check once again. After Joba's moved to the rotation, the Yankees decided to lean on Farnsworth, then moved to acquire Marte for extra depth. Youngster Edwar Ramirez looks like a better bet for the setup job eventually, but minor leaguers Cox and Melancon have the hunger and the heat. |
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TOR Ryan |
Accardo (DL) Frasor Benitez |
Toronto gambled on Ryan in 2007 and got one of the league's best, at least until his year ended with TJ surgery in mid-May. His return has had bumps along the way, which means Accardo will continue to see action as the Jays rest and protect their veteran fireman often. |
 |
TB Percival |
Reyes Wheeler Balfour |
The Rays acquisition of Percival and early announcement that he'd be their closer for 2008 left Al Reyes, who did a superb job in the role last year, in limbo. While they recently re-signed Reyes, Dan Wheeler would appear to be superior in a setup role. Percival, while no longer the dominant force he was in the 90's, will bring some stability and experience to the young team. Rookie Grant Balfour, whose moving fastball is one of the best in the minors, is a dark horse option. |
 |
OAK Street |
Embree Zeigler Casilla Devine* |
Even in a down-year, Street remained a top-ten closer. Duchscherer, usually a solid backup, will be tested in the rotation this year. Embree had a terrific 2007, closing in place of Street for some time, too, so he's a smart lockup/setup man, along with Re-A'd Keith Foulke, who will look to revive his career. The A's have also collected a number of other young potential closers, such as baby closer Santiago Casilla and ex-Brave Joey Devine, as they look to the future. |
 |
LAA Rodriguez |
Arredondo Shields Speier |
K-Rod has remained one of the very best closers in baseball, even while his setup men come and go. Will Shields bounce back from a forgettable 2007? Will Speier be enough to bring the game home? If not, then Arredondo, who was closing in the minors, looks like a nice dark horse here. |
 |
SEA Putz |
Lowe Green Morrow |
Putz was the big man once again in 2007, and he did not disappoint, ending up as one of the AL's best. The best arm behind him was George Sherrill (gone to Baltimore) and the next-best belonged to Mark Lowe. Brandon Morrow, bounced between the rotation and the pen, is also an on again/off again option. |
 |
TEX Francisco |
Wilson (DL) Fukumori Littleton |
Otsuka was probably the best choice, but the Rangers chose CJ Wilson for 2008. Behind him, there's 'Everyday' Eddie Guardado hanging around the park, as well as Francisco and import Fukumori. Longer term, the Rangers may look to prospect Wes Littleton for future ninth-inning duty. |
 |
CHW Jenks |
Dotel Linebrink Thornton |
The big man remains solid, if a little dramatic, but the real fireworks happened in the 7th and 8th last year, as the Sox struggled to find consistent arms to bridge the distance. In addition to Ozzie fave Thornton, the Sox have added Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel to what should be a much-improved bullpen. |
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CLE Lewis |
Perez Betancourt Meloan |
DFAing Borowski left Cleveland with no clear closer. Both Kobayashi and Betencourt blew their shots, leaving Perez and Lewis to shoulder the finishes. For now, the job will probably bounce between those two, depending on matchups, with Betencourt also getting a few chances. Further out, ex-Dodger Jon Meloan is the hottest hand on the farm now. |
 |
DET Zumaya |
Rodney Farnsworth Jones |
Zumaya takes over a season earlier than expected, and while he's still got some rough edges coming back from surgery, he's still the best bet the Tigers have. Behind him, old man Todd Jones is lingering for a few more months, recently-returned Farnsworth should add a little extra heat, and Rodney, even in a down year, is pretty capable. |
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KC Soria |
Yabuta Greinke |
Soria gets his second chance to succeed in the post-Dotel era, with the unusual pressure of converted (?) starter Greinke behind him combined with a surprise challenger: Japanese setup-man deluxe Yasuhiko Yabuta. |
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MIN Nathan |
Crain Guardado Neshek (DL) |
Nathan will be back, contrary to many predictions. Super-setup man Pat Neshek, one of the league's best setup men, is out for the year, leaving Jesse Crain, seen as the closer of the future for many years now, as the current heir apparent. Veteran Rincon and super-veteran Eddie Guardado provide extra support. |
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ARZ Lyon |
Rauch Pena Cruz |
The recent acquisition of towering Jon Rauch puts pressure on the less-than-reliable Brandon Lyon, but youngster Tony Pena is worth keeping in mind for 2009, too. It seems unlikely that Arizona is done tinkering here. |
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COL Fuentes |
Corpas Buchholz Weathers |
Corpas and Fuentes have now flip-flopped three times in the last full season of play. They're likely to do so at least a few more times, too, until and unless Fuentes is traded. Buchholz is a capable stand-in but not a long-term answer, while standout college closer Casey Weathers is also one to keep an eye on, but not for this season. |
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LAD Broxton |
Saito (DL) Seanez |
Broxton will step in and close games for the Dodgers for the rest of the year, and perhaps for longer than that if Takashi Saito decides that he's finished with the United States for real this time. If he falters... the Dodgers are looking pretty thin. |
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SD Hoffman |
Bell Meredith |
One more year for one of the game's best? Meredith's a solid setup guy who could close when the old man needs a break, but the Padres have so many good relievers that none are really locks for the job. Heath Bell is having his best season and looks primed to take over whenever he's called. |
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SF Wilson |
Walker Hennessey Correia |
Wilson, Hennessey and Correia all showed that they could close games well enough last season, so this one comes down to who the Giants trust first and stick with longest. Wilson looks to be securing the role as the Giants show remarkable patience, but he's not yet a long-term lock. Flame-throwing Merkin Valdez, returning from surgery, is also on the radar. |
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CHC Wood |
Marmol Howry |
The chips have fallen, at least for now, and Kerry Wood is the man, as we expected back in December. Marmol is the hot but unproven backup plan, while Howry remains a stable, if unspectacular, option. Wood should hold this down until he breaks, but Marmol, if given the chance again, could lock down the job for good. |
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CIN Cordero |
Burton Bray |
By signing Francisco Cordero, the Reds have stabilized a bullpen that was a wild ride of changing players last season. With Cordero at the end, the other wannabe-closers in Cincinnati suddenly look like a solid bunch of setup guys. If Bill Bray can refind his touch, he might be the best raw arm on the club. |
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HOU Valverde |
Brocail Villarreal Sarfate |
No Lidge, no Wheeler, no Qualls, but somehow the Astros come up with last year's MLB saves leader, Jose Valverde in a head-scratching deal with Arizona. Valverde immediately takes over for a team that will trust him, though they probably won't hand him as many save opportunities as the Diamondbacks did. Behind him, Brocail and Villarreal are shaky bets, with Sarfate a longshot with upside. Let's just say the Astros are REALLY counting on Valverde repeating his 2007 performance. |
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MLW Torres |
Mota Riske Gagne |
With Cordero and Linebrink both gone to much, much greener pastures, Derrick Turnbow was poised to get the first shot to reclaim the closer's gig in Milwaukee, but 1-year gamble Eric Gagne arrived to delay that plan. With Gagne benched and Turnbow demoted, this one's a bit of a mess now. Solomon Torres and David Riske both have experience in the role, while Mota's been best so far in limited use... but none are standout options. Even veteran lefty Brian Shouse could get some save opportunities here. |
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PIT Capps (DL) |
Sanchez Yates Grabow |
Capps had the job in spring, but his poor performance in June revealed a shoulder injury. With Marte traded away, guys like Yates, Bayliss and even Kolb are hovering as other options. With new management in Pittsburgh, this one is too volatile to depend on, no matter how good Capps's stuff looks. Young Romulo Sanchez is a nice dark horse who seems to be a favorite of management. |
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STL Perez |
Franklin Isringhausen Thompson |
They say it's a committee, but Chris Perez clearly the Cardinals closer of the future, and considering how awful the rest of the candidates have looked, why shouldn't that future start now? Unless Perez flames out early, he should have the job from here on out, and into 2009. |
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ATL Gonzalez |
Soriano Acosta (DL) Boyer |
The Atlanta bullpen roller coaster is finally settling down again. Soriano is still the pro forma closer, but until he shows his elbow can stand up to daily work, lefty Mike Gonzalez and proto-closer righthander Manny Acosta will continue to get their saves in. John Smoltz is a non-factor for the foreseeable future. |
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FLA Gregg |
Lindstrom Nolasco Miller Kensing |
Kevin Gregg's been doing the job far, but there's nothing separating him from a number of other quality arms in Florida Any of Lindstrom, Nolasco, Tankersley, Miller or even Kensing could do the job, though none of them are worth getting excited about. Nothing's certain for 2009 here, or even for the rest of 2008. |
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NYM Wagner (DL) |
Heilman Sanchez Smith |
While he's no sure-thing, Wagner will keep getting the chances while the Mets look for a better option, with converted starter Aaron Heilman his obvious backup. Joe Smith is a dark horse with significant upside, and his 2007 performance means he's starting to get noticed. Duaner Sanchez, a onetime super-setup man, is back from injury this year and quickly reclaiming high-leverage duties. |
 |
PHI Lidge |
Gordon Madson Condrey |
Myers was near-perfect in his stint as closer, so naturally the Phillies abandoned the idea immediately and returned him to the rotation. Lucky thing that Brad Lidge has re-found himself and is holding down the job well. Down the road, the Phillies could consider Ryan Madson or even Joe Bisenius if Lidge falters or is moved. |
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WAS Hanrahan |
Rivera Ayala Cordero (DL) |
With Cordero shelved for shoulder surgery and big Jon Rauch headed for Arizon, Joel Hanrahan is the most likely bet to take over for now, though Saul Rivera, Luis Ayala and especially Beltran Perez look like nice shadow picks, too. Then again, how many saves will anyone get in Washington, anyway? |
Notes and Updates
Update: TEX
According to the Dallas Morning News today, Frank Francisco will be the go-to man for the Rangers following Eddie Guardado's trade, but Francisco's own recent ups and downs don't make him seem like much of a safe bet, either.
Update: STL
Cardinals' rookie Chris Perez notched his fifth save in five August opportunities last night. He's looking like the go-to man for September. If he maintains his success, he'll have the inside track for 2009, too.
Update: BAL
George Sherrill is out for two weeks plus with shoulder inflammation, but a clean MRI suggests that he'll be back in the Baltimore closer's role in early September. In the meantime, Jim Johnson looks like a high-risk fill-in.
Update: STL
With three consecutive ninth-inning appearances (and two saves), rookie Chris Perez looks like the new closer in St Louis, even if Tony LaRussa refuses to make it official. Adam Wainwright is likely to move back to the starting track. It'll be up to Perez to use the next six weeks to nail down the job for next season.
Update: SEA
Seattle, the team that's never seen anything working too well to break, is sending Brandon Morrow back to the minors once again to stretch him out to be a starter... again. Despite the fact that Morrow was one of baseball's best late-inning pitchers this year, the Mariners have decided that his one-pitch repertoire is just too good to leave in the bullpen, and so they'll hurry him back to help them lock down fifth place before the year is finished.
Update: DET
Manager Jim Leyland indicated Tuesday that Joel Zumaya has officially taken over for Fernando Rodney as the Tigers' regular closer. This wasn't expected until next spring, but the early move should give the Tigers a chance to see what to expect in 2009. Zumaya's been a bit rough returning from surgery, but he's still showing the same heat and crazy stuff as always, so he should return to his old dominance soon.
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