Closers on the cheap

Doug Miller of MLB.com writes up the pleasant surprises at closer in 2009. These are guys who weren't expected to jump into a saves role and exceeded expectations at great values. They are:

David Aardsma, SEA ($419K in 2009/33 saves)
Ryan Franklin, STL ($2.5M in 2009/36 saves)
Frank Francisco, TEX ($1.615M in 2009/22 saves)
Jonathan Broxton, LAD (1.825M in 2009/30 saves)
Heath Bell, SD ($1.255M in 2009/33 saves)
Andrew Bailey, OAK ($400K in 2009/21 saves)

Fantasy Imapct: Aardsma, Franklin and Bailey could all be had off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball this season. Broxton, Bell and Francisco were likely drafted in most leagues. Certainly, all six of these pitchers provided value over and above their salaries for big league clubs, but in fantasy play, Aardsma, Franklin and Bailey provide the kind of steals that can push a team over the top to win a league title. There will be closers like them available again next year - pitchers like Brandon Lyon in Detroit, Neftali Feliz in Texas and Billy Wagner where ever he lands. Closers can always be found on the cheap in fantasy play.

Glee for Lee

Cleveland starter Cliff Lee outpitched White Sox ace Mark Buehrle for a 4-0 win, just Lee's second of the season. It was Lee's first victory in nearly a month. Buehrle offered his worst effort of 2009, and it wasn't that bad, save for a pair of homers he allowed to Victor Martinez and Ryan Garko.

Fantasy Impact: Lee's disappointing start to the season leaves him unlikely to regain his 2008 Cy Young numbers, but he's still a solid fantasy option. Last season's breakout prompted overbuying of Lee in 2009, as his average draft position jumped to 64th overall in CBSsports.com fantasy leagues. That pegs Lee as a high-end No. 2 starter in most fantasy leagues, which he is not. Lee is more likely a low-end No. 2 or a No. 3 starter at this point in his career. We lean toward Lee as a No. 3, especially on an Indians team that's mired in last place.

Can't hit Hampton

Astros starter Mike Hampton looked strong in a 4-1 win at Pittsburgh. Hampton allowed just four hits over six innings and struck out eight. He's 1-1 on the year.

Fantasy Impact: Tough to give advice on Hampton. Flip a coin -- heads, you pick him up off the waiver wire; tails, you don't. He's really an unknown at this point of his career having thrown 147 1/3 innings since 2005. He's 37 this year, and he hasn't put together a great season of pitching since 1999. That's ten years ago. Still, if your staff is hurting for a wild card, call us crazy, but Hampton might fill a void. The Astros are hoping so.

Welcome back, Chad Tracy

Chad Tracy, one of Spitting Seeds' sleepers for 2009, made a huge impact on opening day. Hitting fourth in the Diamondbacks lineup, the third baseman smacked him first home run of the year, going 3-4 with two runs and two RBI. He was actually outdone by teammates Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark, who each hit two homers.

Fantasy Impact: In some leagues, it's just nine more starts for Tracy at third to become eligible at the position. He's fully recovered from knee surgery, so we're expecting big things. Lopez is an intriguing sleeper with multiple-position eligibility. He hit 23 homers to go along with a .291 average in 2005, but he's streaky at times, and by streaky we mean slump-prone. Clark will fill in for Tracy at times or when Tracy is in for Mark Reynolds at third. Hey, if both guys mash homers like this, Reynolds might be sitting more and more.