2008 Closer Rankings

OK, I'm done procrastinating with the Closer Rankings. I've been putting it off to do what I feel are more meaningful articles but some people want to know my rankings so here they are. The type of closer you want depends what king of a league you're in. In roto leagues closers shouldn't be used just for getting saves. You also have to factor in their ERA and WHIP. You don't want your closers to consist of Kevin Gregg, Todd Jones, and Joe Borowski. These three guys will probably get you 100 saves but they'll probably have a combined ERA of 4.50. If you have a couple of these guys on your team you're sacrificing two categories for one. You want closers with an ERA of under 3.00 and a whip no more than 1.20. I'll tell you what you should do with your closers role in your CBS H2H leagues in an upcoming article. So here are the 2008 closers.

2008 Closers

1. Jonathan Papelbon- BOS -The best closer in the game on probably the best team in the league. There's no reason he won't still be the no. 1 closer after this year. Another dominating season. '08 Prediction: 40 S, 1.75 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 90 K.

2. J.J. Putz- SEA -Talk about domination. Putz had a phenomenal '07 season and put up some just ridiculous numbers. He may not be able to match those numbers again but the potential to do so puts him at no.2. '08 Prediction: 40 S 1.65 ERA 0.85 WHIP.

3. Francisco Rodriguez- LAA -Not a usual stellar year for him last year. He was wild at times and was frequently getting himself into jams. I expect a better year from him this year but his control problems are a bit troubling. '08 Prediction: 38 S 2.00 ERA 1.15 WHIP

4. Joe Nathan- MIN -The Twins are going to have trouble winning games this year but that's no reason to skip on Nathan. Still gets you great numbers across the board. He's a solid and reliable asset. '08 Prediction: 38 S, 1.75 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 90 K

5. Jose Valverde- HOU -People will probably disagree with this high a rank for Valverde but the guy is solid across the board. I don't personally like him but the guy is a beast out there. Can't lose having him as a closer. '08 Prediction: 40 S, 2.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 70 K

6. Bobby Jenks- CHW -He's a big boy and eventually his weight is going to catch up with him. For now he's looking good and no need to worry in the immediate future. Another solid year for Jenks. '08 Prediction: 40 S, 2.65 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 60 K

7. Takashi Saito- LAD -I'm usually very skeptical of Japanese pitchers. Shingo Takatsu didn't last too long as the White Sox closer. Hard to argue about his numbers though. They may inflate just a little bit this year however I'm still looking to draft him. '08 Prediction: 38 S, 1.45 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 75 K

8. Billy Wagner- NYM -You know all about this guy, not much to explain. Another very good year for him this year. Has occasional meltdown but otherwise he's very good. '08 Prediction: 35 S, 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 80 K

9. Mariano Rivera- NYY -The old man had an off year last season to say the least. He's a better pitcher than that and his numbers should see improvement this year. He is getting up there though and he can't go forever. '08 Prediction: 35 S, 2.60 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 75 K

10. Francisco Cordero- CIN -He's moving to a launching pad for a stadium this year but the guy is still solid. Like Wagner, he's shaky at times but overall a top 10 closer. '08 Prediction: 38 S, 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 85 K

11. Trevor Hoffman- SD -People are worried a little bit about Hoffman this year. Like Rivera, he can't got on forever. I'm not so worried about him. Although his skills are declining, he'll still get you good numbers. '08 Prediction: 40 S, 2.85 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 50 K

12. Rafael Soriano- ATL -He's always been a solid setup man and will be making the transition to closer full time. I like him as a closer. He's a veteran that won't be easily shaken. Atlanta's closers always have had opportunities but could never get the job done. I think Soriano can. '08 Prediction: 36 S, 2.45 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 65 K

13. Chad Cordero- WAS -While the Nationals may be a bad team, Cordero always gets his saves. Had a rough start to last season but came on strong at the end. Better numbers this year. '08 Prediction: 37 S, 2.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 65 K

14. Manny Corpas- COL -I really liked what I saw out of this kid last year. He's definitely better than Brian Fuentes. They just signed him to a new deal so he better produce. Not a great deal of Ks for a closer but had a very good ERA and WHIP last year. '08 Prediction: 32 S, 2.30 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 60 K

15. Jason Isringhausen- STL -To be honest, I don't like the guy. I never draft him or even consider him. He's the biggest injury risk of any closer but when he pitches he produces. He's just too big of a risk for me. '08 Prediction: 30 S, 2.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 50 K

16. Eric Gagne- MIL -Gagne is a little risky too but my gut is telling me that he will be healthy and have a productive season. I've been taking a chance on him late in drafts with the hopes he can keep healthy and consistent. '08 Prediction: 35 S, 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 70 K

17. Brad Lidge- PHI -His injury isn't that big of a deal and he'll be the closer once he gets back. The Phils definitely don't want to see Flash Gordon attempting to close out games for too long a period. '08 Prediction: 30 S, 2.75 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 90 K

18. Matt Capps- PIT -Not overwhelming by any means but gets the job done. I don't trust him any more than I've trusted any Pirate closer. Should be a decent no. 2 or 3 closer. '08 Prediction: 32 S, 2.80 ERA , 1.15 WHIP, 65 K

19. Joakim Soria- KC -He looks promising. I'm predicting that it won't be long before he's the closer or setup man on a contender. He can help you're ERA and WHIP though he won't pile up a ton of saves. '08 Prediction: 30 S, 2.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 75 K

20. Brian Wilson- SF -He put up some really good stats in his short stint last year. He's definitely the Giants best relief pitcher although that's not saying much. '08 Prediction: 28 S, 2.40 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 65 K

For the rest of the closer spots I want to do something different. I don't want to list guys who are battling for jobs above guys who have one right now. I also don't want to rank the walkoff waiting to happen closers at all. What I'm going to do is break down the competitions going on for the job.

Chicago Cubs--The Cubs are saying that it is a three way competition between Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry, and Kerry Wood. First off, it's not going to be Wood. He needs to prove he can pitch up to four times a week and until then he won't be considered. Lou Pinella would rather see a veteran in the role. He also likes Marmol as a 7th inning guy with the ability to get six hitters out if he needs him to. Knowing this, I believe Howry will be given the first shot and may keep it. You would want either of these guys on your team. Marmol obviously has the better numbers but Howry isn't too shabby either.

Toronto Blue Jays--Jeremy Accardo will most likely start the season off as closer. He's not the ideal closer but a decent substitute. As soon as B.J. Ryan is ready to resume his role, he'll take it over. Unless, Accardo has some kind of All Star caliber season which I don't see in the near future.

Detroit Tigers--As much as the people of Detroit are loving Jim Leyland, they can't understand why he constantly calls on Todd Jones to save his games for him. Actually, none of us can understand it. Jones scrapes by as being a closer but this may be the year that all of that ends and Leyland makes a change. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he sticks with Jones for another season.

Baltimore Orioles--It looks as if George Sherrill is going to win the job but I'm not impressed. He's just another temp closer and I wouldn't be surprised if this closer spot changes hands a few times during the year. Sherrill will save a few games this year though.

Cleveland Indians--As a Cubs fan, I'll always love the Polish Prince Joe Borowski but you can't trust him with your closers spot. Rumors are circulating that he may even be replaced before the season starts. Its just a matter of time before he's demoted or cut. Keep an eye on new free agent signee Masahide Kobayashi to challenge for the job.

Arizona Diamondbacks--Brandon Lyon is not a closer. Never was, never will be. Tony Pena is the real deal and if doesn't win the job in Spring Training he'll be the closer at some point this year. You may want to draft him and stash him. Lyon is garbage.

Florida Marlins--Kevin Gregg will start the season as the closer but doesn't impress anyone. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Marlins make a change during the season. Gregg will get saves early this year but his ERA and WHIP aren't the greatest. He's a cheap source for saves but I'm getting the feeling he won't last.

Tampa Bay Rays--This team is the last place I want to go for a closer on my team. Troy Percival may get chances early but he doesn't have much left in the tank. He may prove me wrong but I highly doubt it. The Rays don't have much in the way of backup either. I'd stay away from all Tampa Bay closers.

Texas Rangers--C.J. Wilson isn't a closer either. He really struggles against righties and that's not good for a closer. He's basically a situational pitcher and if he gets the job he won't keep it. Joaquin Benoit is the next man in line and if he gets the job, I like him. Both guys are a little nicked up right now so its hard to tell what will happen.

Oakland A's--I know everyone loves Huston Street but I don't. He's yet to prove that he is healthy and can stay healthy. If he can stay healthy all year he'll get good numbers. I want to see that happen first before I mess with him. The A's are going to have a tough time winning games this year too.

Alright that's it. Done with rankings. Closers have got to be the most boring position to write about. Agonizing people. I think you'll get good use out of it though. Let me know what you think about these guys or any position battles. Leave a comment!

Chris Mulligan