2009 MLB Closers

MLB closer report updated 2/10/10 @ 10:22 AM CST

***For 2010, please see 2010 MLB Closers***

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List of MLB closers and candidates at the close of the 2009 season. Closers are listed at the top under each team name:

Arizona Diamondbacks:
Chad Qualls - 60-day DL, dislocated left knee cap (August 31)
Juan Gutierrez
Esmerling Vasquez
Clay Zavada (L)

Atlanta Braves:
Rafael Soriano
Mike Gonzalez
Peter Moylan
Eric O'Flaherty (L)

Baltimore Orioles:
Jim Johnson
Danys Baez
Chris Ray
Cla Meredith

Boston Red Sox:
Jonathan Papelbon
Billy Wagner (L)
Takashi Saito
Hideki Okajima (L)

Chicago Cubs:
Carlos Marmol
Kevin Gregg
Angel Guzman
John Grabow (L)

Chicago White Sox:
Bobby Jenks
Matt Thornton (L)
Octavio Dotel
Scott Linebrink
Tony Pena

Cincinnati Reds:
Francisco Cordero
Arthur Rhodes (L)
Nick Massett

Cleveland Indians:
Kerry Wood
Chris Perez
Joe Smith

Colorado Rockies:
Huston Street
Rafael Betancourt
Franklin Morales (L)
Matt Daley
Manny Corpas - 15-day DL, right elbow surgery (might be out for season)
Alan Embree (L) - 15-day DL, fractured right tibia (out for season)

Detroit Tigers:
Fernando Rodney
Brandon Lyon
Bobby Seay (L)
Joel Zumaya - 60-day DL, right shoulder soreness (July 18)

Florida Marlins:
Leo Nunez
Matt Lindstrom
Dan Meyer (L)
Kiko Calero
Scott Proctor - 60-day DL, right elbow surgery (out for season)

Houston Astros:
Jose Valverde
LaTroy Hawkins
Doug Brocail
Jeff Fulchino

Kansas City Royals:
Joakim Soria
Juan Cruz
Kyle Farnsworth

Los Angeles Angels:
Brian Fuentes
Jason Bulger
Kevin Jepsen
Darren Oliver (L)
Scot Shields - 60-day DL, left knee surgery (out for season)

Los Angeles Dodgers:
Jonathan Broxton
George Sherrill (L)
Ramon Troncoso
Guillermo Mota
Hong-Chih Kuo (L)

Milwaukee Brewers:
Trevor Hoffman
Todd Coffey
David Weathers
Mitch Stetter (L)
Mark DiFelice

Minnesota Twins:
Joe Nathan
Matt Guerrier
Jon Rauch
Pat Neshek - 60-day DL, right elbow surgery - out for season
Jose Mijares (L)

New York Mets:
Francisco Rodriguez
J.J. Putz - 60-day DL, right elbow surgery (out for season)
Pedro Feliciano (L)
Brian Stokes
Sean Green

New York Yankees:
Mariano Rivera
Phil Hughes
Brian Bruney
Phil Coke (L)
Damaso Marte (L)

Oakland Athletics:
Andrew Bailey
Brad Ziegler
Michael Wuertz
Santiago Casilla
Joey Devine - 60-day DL, out for season (April 4)

Philadelphia Phillies:
Brad Lidge
-or- Ryan Madson
Brett Myers
J.C. Romero (L) - 15-day DL, strained left forearm (July 23)

Pittsburgh Pirates:
Matt Capps
Joel Hanrahan
Tyler Yates - 15-day DL, right elbow surgery - out for season (May 16)

St. Louis Cardinals:
Ryan Franklin
Jason Motte
Kyle McClellan
Denny Reyes (L)

San Diego Padres:
Heath Bell
Edward Mujica
Luke Gregerson

San Francisco Giants:
Brian Wilson
Sergio Romo
Jeremy Affeldt (L)
Bob Howry
Merkin Valdez

Seattle Mariners:
David Aardsma
Mark Lowe
Sean White
Miguel Batista

Tampa Bay Rays:
Troy Percival - 15-day DL, right shoulder tendinits (May 22)
J.P. Howell (L)
Randy Choate (L)
Dan Wheeler
Grant Balfour
Jason Isringhausen - 60-day DL, torn right elbow ligament (June 14)

Texas Rangers:
Frank Francisco
C.J. Wilson (L)
Eddie Guardado (L)
Neftali Feliz

Toronto Blue Jays:
Jason Frasor
Scott Downs (L)
Brandon League
Jesse Carlson

Washington Nationals:
Mike MacDougal
Sean Burnett (L)
Tyler Clippard
Ron Villone

Wagging Wagner

The New York Mets pitched Billy Wagner for the first time in about a year, and the results look pretty good. Wagner works a two-strikeout eighth inning for the Mets against the Braves in a 3-2 loss. Wagner did not factor into the decision, but he did throw about as well as he possibly could, needing 14 pitches to retire the side.

Fantasy Impact: Francisco Rodriguez is the guy the Mets acquired to fill Wagner's spot, and he's going to remain the Mets closer as far as anyone can tell. Wagner is considered trade bait at this point of his Mets tenure. Pitch well enough, and perhaps a suitor comes along that is willing to take the remainder of his $10.5 M salary for this season and $8 M option for next season. If he continues to pitch this well, the Mets are more likely to find a trade partner, and Wagner's fantasy value may climb to that of a full-time closer in September.

2009 MLB closers - first half review

A list of the top MLB closers over the first half of 2009. Criteria used in evaluation: Saves, blown saves, ERA, WHIP, BAA

First Tier:

1. Joe Nathan
2. Heath Bell
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Ryan Franklin
5. Huston Street
6. Francisco Cordero
7. Francisco Rodriguez
8. Jonathan Papelbon
9. Jonathan Broxton
10. David Aardsma
11. Brian Fuentes
12. Trevor Hoffman


Second Tier:

13. Joakim Soria
14. Frank Francisco
15. George Sherrill
16. Bobby Jenks
17. Fernando Rodney
18. Brian Wilson
19. Rafael Soriano
20. Scott Downs
21. Andrew Bailey
22. Kevin Gregg
23. Chad Qualls
24. Matt Capps

Third Tier:

25. Matt Lindstrom
26. Kerry Wood
27. LaTroy Hawkins
28. Brad Lidge
29. J.P. Howell
30. J. Valverde
31. Mike Gonzalez
32. C.J. Wilson
33. Brad Ziegler
34. M. MacDougal
35. T. Percival

Top 2009 MLB closers - first 1/3 of season

Spitting Seeds' rankings for the best closers of the first third of the 2009 season. This is not a projection. It is an assessment of how effective baseball's top closers performed.
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Top Tier - No. 1 closers

1. Trevor Hoffman (15 saves, 0.00 ERA)
2. Heath Bell (18 saves, 1.37 ERA)
3. Francisco Rodriguez (16 saves, 0.61 ERA)
4. Frank Francisco (12 saves, 0.46 ERA)
5. Jonathan Broxton (14 saves, 1.50 ERA)
6. Jonathan Papelbon (15 saves, 2.08 ERA)
7. Joe Nathan (13 saves, 1.93 ERA)
8. Francisco Cordero (15 saves, 2.00 ERA)
9. Mariano Rivera (14 saves, 3.20 ERA)
10. Ryan Franklin (13 saves, 1.23 ERA)
11. Bobby Jenks (13 saves, 3.15 ERA)
12. Brian Fuentes (16 saves, 4.97 ERA)
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Second Tier - No. 2 closers

13. Brian Wilson (16 saves, 3.45 ERA)
14. George Sherrill (12 saves, 2.66 ERA)
15. Matt Capps (14 saves, 5.49 ERA)
16. David Aardsma (10 saves, 1.84 ERA)
17. Chad Qualls (12 saves, 3.97 ERA)
18. Huston Street (11 saves, 2.84 ERA)
19. Scott Downs (8 saves, 2.13 ERA)
20. LaTroy Hawkins (8 saves, 2.54 ERA)
21. Joakim Soria (7 saves, 1.74 ERA)
22. Mike Gonzalez (8 saves, 2.67 ERA)
23. Andrew Bailey (5 saves, 1.93 ERA)
24. Matt Lindstrom (11 saves, 5.92 ERA)
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Third Tier - No. 3 closers

25. Fernando Rodney (11 saves, 4.68 ERA)
26. Brad Lidge (13 saves, 7.27 ERA
27. Kevin Gregg (10 saves, 4.62 ERA)
28. Rafael Soriano (5 saves, 0.98 ERA)
29. C.J. Wilson (4 saves, 3.33 ERA)
30. Kerry Wood (8 saves, 5.31 ERA)
31. Brad Ziegler (5 saves, 4.07 ERA)
32. Troy Percival (6 saves, 6.35 ERA)
33. Brandon Morrow (6 saves, 6.38 ERA)
34. Joel Hanrahan (5 saves, 6.84 ERA)
35. Ryan Madson (3 saves, 2.15 ERA)
36. Chris Sampson (3 saves, 1.70 ERA)
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Fringe closers

37. Randy Choate (3 saves, 1.93 ERA)
38. Takashi Saito (2 saves, 2.70 ERA)
39. J.P. Howell (2 saves, 2.10 ERA)
40. Leo Nunez (2 saves, 3.10 ERA)
41. Todd Coffey (2 saves, 2.57 ERA)
42. Carlos Marmol (3 saves, 3.67 ERA)
43. Carlos Villanueva (2 saves, 4.18 ERA)
44. Jose Valverde (2 saves, 5.63 ERA)
45. B.J. Ryan (2 saves, 6.91 ERA)
46. Mike MacDougal (0 saves, 6.00 ERA)

Oh, Contreras!

White Sox starter Jose Contreras returned from a near month-long stint in the minors and 1-hit the Tigers over 8 innings. He picks up his first win in almost a year after a ruptured Achilles tendon cost him half of 2008. The Sox win, 6-1.

Fantasy impact: Contreras entered the year as a sleeper candidate thanks to coming back in great shape from his strenuous rehab. He didn't pitch well enough to stay in the big leagues, however, and now needs to string together a few quality starts before he can be trusted on a regular basis.

No longer on Holliday

Matt Holliday is showing signs of coming out of his early-season slump. The Athletics outfielder goes 4-4 with four singles and steals a base in an 11-7 loss to Detroit. Holliday's power numbers still lack (4 HR/.394 SLG entering Sunday), but his average is on a slow climb at .267.

Fantasy Impact: Holliday's numbers took a hit leaving Coors Field and switching leagues. He's adjusting to new pitchers and a tougher park in which to hit, but he's still an accomplished outfielder. We're expecting a .285 average with 25-30 homers by season's end, leaving him in the top tier of fantasy outfielders.

Cooked quickly

Colorado starter Aaron Cook continues to struggle out of the gate. For the third time in four starts, Cook gives up his first run in the first inning. The Dodgers scored two and had the bases loaded before Cook even got the first out. He stranded those runners on a couple of come-backers to the mound, the second of which he turned into a 1-2-3 double play. To his credit Cook got through the first on just 19 pitches. If he can find his stuff the Rockies offense might get him back in the game.

Cook's issues stem from a problem with his delivery, which has flattened out his sinker.

Fantasy Impact: Cook made the All-Star Game last year thanks to his sinker. It's one of the best in the game when it's right, but it's nowhere closer to where he needs it to be. Until he finds the pitch again, Cook is just an also ran in terms of fantasy play.

Harang hangs up the Cubs

Aramis Ramirez hit a line drive just inches over his head and Carlos Zambrano's broken bat missed him by just a couple of feet, but otherwise Aaron Harang enjoyed a great day at Wrigley Field. I was there to see him throw seven solid innings on seven-hit baseball. With the wind blowing out to left, Harang kept the ball down. He struck out just two batters, but did not allow an earned run, lowering his ERA to 2.00. Harang improves to 2-2 after a 7-1 Reds win.Harang winds in the sixth inning.
Harang looks in against Micah Hoffpauir on a perfect day for baseball at Wrigley.

Fantasy Impact: Harang proved to be one of the bigger disappointments last season, recording 17 losses. He's well on his way to righting the ship in 2009. We expect a continued return to past form - double-digit wins and No. 2 starter value in fantasy baseball.

Fast Bobby

Bobby Abreu leads the majors in stolen bases after recording his eighth of the season Thursday night. Abreu stole 40 bases back in 2004.

Fantasy Impact: A member of the Angels now, we should expect this sort of thing from Abreu, who is on pace to shatter his career high in steals, even at the age of 34. Mike Scioscia might be the most aggressive manager out there, so Abreu should get plenty of green lights.

Abreu is a better speed guy than a power hitter as evidenced by his 261 career stolen bases compared to his 198 home runs. His fast start on the base paths leads us to believe 40 more steals are on the horizon in 2009.

Fontenot Cubs starter at 2nd

Mike Fontenot has been named the Cubs starter at second base. He takes over for Mark DeRosa, who was traded to Cleveland in the offseason.

Fontenot is the projected sixth hitter, with Kosuke Fukudome in second and Milton Bradley fourth.

"I don't want to get caught with two left-handed hitters sixth and seventh or sixth and eighth at the tail end of the lineup," manager Lou Piniella said. "So 2-4-6 is a real nice way to break things up."

In his fifth year with the Cubs after being traded from Baltimore in the Sammy Sosa deal, Fontenot never has been penciled in as a starter.

Fantasy Impact: If you project Fontenot's at bats over a full 600 at bats, he looks pretty good. Fontenot appears capable of 20 HR power, and he's capable of scoring runs (.395 OBP in 243 at bats last season). In the article, however, Piniella says both Fontenot and Aaron Miles will get 350 at bats this season. Miles will slide around the infield as a utility man, but will still steal time from Fontenot against left-handed pitching. Fontenot is therefore a later round pick in most fantasy drafts. He's valuable as a second baseman with pop who might start 5 or 6 days a week.

Still don't bet on Tampa

The Tampa Bay Rays have certainly moved up in the world. Last year the Rays faced some of the longest odds in baseball in terms of winning the world series. Many sports books had the Rays between 150/1 and 200/1. This year, Bodog has Tampa at 18/1 odds.

The Yankees, at 4/1, are odds-on favorites. The Red Sox follow with 13/2 odds. That means Bodog doesn't expect Tampa to make the playoffs.

In the National League, the Cubs own the best odds at 17/2 with the Phillies coming in second at 14/1.

Pudge wants to play; Mets want Pudge?

Ivan Rodriguez doesn't want to talk about his ever-shrinking physique, but he does say he's looking to play baseball in 2009 at the major league level after playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

“I’m expecting soon something to happen,” Rodriguez said yesterday after training at the Red Sox [team stats] minor league facility, where the Puerto Rican team will work out this week. “I’m ready to play for a major league team.”

There's at least one team willing to talk. The New York Mets would like Rodriguez to compliment Brian Schneider in a platoon- or reserve-type role.

Fantasy Impact: Rodriguez's numbers had slipped in recent seasons to that of a fringe starter for most fantasy formats. A platoon situation would take him off the fantasy radar entirely.

Barry wants to play baseball... again

Barry Bonds wants back into baseball, and with his perjury trial on delay his agent is pushing for a return.

Borris said Bonds wanted to play in 2008, but no teams were interested in signing the all-time home run king, even at the minimum salary.

"Major League Baseball was successful in conspiring in keeping Barry out of uniform in 2008. Unless they have a change of heart or see an error in their ways, I seriously doubt that clubs will give him the opportunity to play this year," Borris told the newspaper.

USA Today reports Borris has been working in conjunction with the players association to investigate the union's collusion allegation, which MLB denies.

I wonder if anything changes with teams' interest this time around. Last year I was shocked that nobody jumped on the chance to have Bonds' bat in their lineup for at least part of the season. Now I'm expecting everyone to lay off after Bonds didn't play in all of 2008. He's 44, he just missed an entire season, and he's a PR nightmare, I think.

Fish wallets open wide(r)

It won't compete with the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers or Cubs, but the Florida Marlins will open the books (a little bit) in 2009. Owner Jeffrey Loria is backing a team payroll of up to $40 million, nearly doubling the Marlins' spending for 2008.

Such a hefty increase over the $22 million the team spent this year would represent an 82 percent hike. Increased revenue sharing, along with the expectation of a new ballpark as soon as 2011 and the World Series run of the low-budget Rays, have emboldened the Marlins to open their wallet again.

That doesn't mean there won't be significant alterations to the roster that won 84 games and finished third in the NL East this season. But it does mean the Marlins probably won't be in the position of dumping salary for that purpose alone.

Deposed closer Kevin Gregg is readily available, as is power-hitting first baseman Mike Jacobs. Lefty Scott Olsen could be dealt as well due to a surplus in the starting rotation.

Gregg, Jacobs and Olsen are all expendable, and the Malins will still have to get creative to compete with the big boys. Still, it could be an entertaining offseason in South Florida.

Singing praises of Carroll

Thanks to a revolving door at second base, Jamey Carroll got a chance to play in over 100 games for the Indians this year. The team rewarded him by picking up his $2.5 million option for 2009.

Fantasy Update: The 34-year-old Carroll is hardly a viable fantasy option, or is he? He hit .306 this past season, and he might get to play again in 2009. Follow him, but don't think he's worth starting next season.

Clemens unlikely to pitch in '09

Roger Clemens says he has "no desire" to play baseball in 2009, but the only reason he's not interested is he can't guarantee that he can survive a full season at the MLB level. He did leave the slightest amount of wiggle room, but this sounds like a player who doesn't want to quit knowing he has to head toward the sunset.

“I don’t know if I will ever say no. I would have to know that I could perform at a high level and that my body would be able to hold up.”

Clemens, an 11-time All-Star and seven-time Cy Young award winner, said he did not feel he could play any longer.

“I think I said a long time ago that I’m not a quitter,” Clemens said. “I’m never going to quit. I think I’m just going to walk away. I think I will never be too far from the game.”

There's some poetic justice in that first statement. You know, the part about having to perform at a high level and a body breaking down. Clemens seemed to find the fountain of youth as an older player, and now with his name forever attached to steroids the comments contain an ironic twist.

Good luck, Roger, and good bye.