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Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Week 8

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Week 8

We had quite the time last week, with elite closers going down (Aroldis Chapman), established closers returning from injury (Mark Melancon), and guys we expected to be top closers losing their jobs (Edwin Diaz).

As I was writing last week’s closer report, I was shaking my head at all the turnover we’ve had this year, whether it be from injuries or ineffectiveness. Matter-of-factly, I just sort of muttered to myself, “serenity now.”

This, of course, is from the Seinfeld episode where Frank Costanza, George’s father, decided to sell home computers. Throughout the episode, Frank screams the phrase “serenity now,” a mantra advised by his doctor for him to repeat to calm himself whenever his blood pressure rises. To be clear, he’s supposed to just say it, not yell it, but, if you watched Seinfeld, you understood.

My wife, who was dutifully sitting next to me while I was writing the article (and by dutifully sitting next to me, I mean Facebook messaging with her friends and purchasing new running gear), asked me what I had said. After 20 minutes of extolling the virtues of Seinfeld and explaining why it is the greatest sitcom of all time, I explained that there had been a crazy amount of turnover in the closer world, and I was hoping for some stability soon.

Thankfully, the fantasy gods heard my plea, and have given us a relatively easy week. I mean, seriously, are we really that worried about who closes for the Padres right now?

But as I prepare to write perhaps the most stress-free closer report of the season, I’m reminded of the end of that Seinfeld episode, where Lloyd Braun informs George that the mantra doesn’t work, telling him, “Serenity now. Insanity later.” So, let’s enjoy this one, because next week is probably going to be crazy.

Bookmark our Closer Depth Chart for updated coverage throughout the season partner-arrow

Team (Closer) Current Rank Previous Rank
Dodgers (Kenley Jansen) 1 1
Red Sox (Craig Kimbrel) 2 2
Cubs (Wade Davis) 3 3
Rays (Alex Colome) 4 4
Rockies (Greg Holland) 5 5
Blue Jays (Roberto Osuna) 6 7
Indians (Cody Allen) 7 6
Royals (Kelvin Herrera) 8 8
Astros (Ken Giles) 9 11
Giants (Mark Melancon) 10 15
White Sox (David Robertson) 11 10
Mets (Addison Reed) 12 16
Cardinals (Seung-Hwan Oh) 13 9
Rangers (Matt Bush) 14 14
Yankees (Dellin Betances) 15 12
Twins (Brandon Kintzler) 16 18
Orioles (Brad Brach) 17 20
Brewers (Corey Knebel) 18 19
Reds (Raisel Iglesias) 19 22
Pirates (Tony Watson) 20 17
Marlins (A.J. Ramos) 21 13
Angels (Bud Norris) 22 21
Mariners (Edwin Diaz) 23 29
Tigers (Justin Wilson) 24 23
Braves (Jim Johnson) 25 25
Diamondbacks (Fernando Rodney) 26 24
Phillies (Hector Neris) 27 26
Athletics (Santiago Casilla) 28 27
Nationals (Koda Glover) 29 30
Padres (Committee) 30 28

 

The Big Movers

The Giants and the Mets take significant moves up this week, as I thought they might. Melancon has been fine since returning and, most importantly, has gotten and converted three save chances. Reed has looked fine as well, and provides the Mets and their fans with far less agita than did Jeurys Familia, at least in that one game every two weeks when the Mets enter the ninth inning with a lead.

A.J. Ramos and the Marlins take a nosedive this week, falling from 13 to 21. Here’s the thing – for the most part, all you really need to be thinking about with closers is saves. If they pitch well, that’s a nice bonus, but absent a truly elite strikeout rate, it’s mainly just important so that he keeps his job. Ramos, despite briefly losing his job last year, has been a fairly reliable closer for two seasons, totaling 72 saves with good strikeout numbers over that time. Well, he’s still striking people out (11.4 K/9), but nothing else is going right. He has walked 10 batters in 15 innings and has only FOUR saves. That’s the same number as Derek Law, for crying out loud! And I know saves come in bunches, but can you name more than two members of the Marlins’ starting staff? I don’t see a run of close games coming. In other words, the lack of opportunities, plus Ramos’ general ineffectiveness, moves him way down the list.

Finally, the Mariners situation moves back up a bit, with Edwin Diaz getting and converting the save opportunity on Thursday. We all knew Diaz would be getting the job back if he could pitch well in some low-pressure situations, and he did, pitching three scoreless innings. But let’s not celebrate just yet. Diaz walked two batters in his three low-leverage innings, and that gives him 12 walks in 19 1/3 innings. You just can’t survive like that as a closer. He’ll get the next opportunity and has enormous potential, so you’re starting him, of course. But proceed with caution.

Random Musings

Roberto Osuna and Cody Allen swap spots. This has to do with Osuna looking good, Allen having a 1.37 WHIP, and me trying to spice things up because it’s a slow week.

I’m starting to feel a little better about Ken Giles. He’s settled down, he’s getting all the save chances, and he plays for a team that wins a fair amount of close games.

I’m starting to feel a little worse about Seung-Hwan Oh. I know he’s been better in May, but he’s got eight walks and eight strikeouts in the month. That’s not really the ratio you want. Meanwhile, Trevor Rosenthal has been lights out and has an outrageous 43.3% strikeout percentage, seventh best in the league. I’m not panicking yet, but I’m watching Oh closely.

Brandon Kintzler is nearly a top-15 closer. Sure, he doesn’t strike anyone out, but he’s got two wins, 12 saves, and shows no signs of slowing down. Show the man some love.

Raisel Iglesias and Corey Knebel are really, really, good. Fourth and seventh in the league in ERA, respectively. Sure, they both walk too many batters, but let’s not nit-pick. If you own them, you’ve earned a large profit.

Finally, the Padres are at the bottom, but just for now. Brad Hand converted both save opportunities the Padres had against the Mets, and he should likely get the majority of the save chances going forward. But neither was an easy save, the Mets are fairly left-handed, and Andy Green has stated that it’s going to be a committee. If Hand gets and converts some save chances this week, he’ll move up. But for now, meh. I’m not jumping for joy.

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Dan Harris is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Dan, check out his archive or follow him on Twitter at @danharris80.

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