2008 Closer Watch

645 · February 8th, 2008, 10:54 PM

AL EAST

Baltimore Orioles
George Sherrill Closer

(Trade Out Of)
Jim Johnson Next Up

Boston Red Sox
Jonathan Papelbon Closer

Manny Delcarmen Next in Line
Hideki Okajima Next Up

New York Yankees
Mariano Rivera Closer

Kyle Farnsworth Next in Line

Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Troy Percival Closer

Grant Balfour Next in Line

645 · February 8th, 2008, 11:07 PM

Toronto Blue Jays
B.J. Ryan Closer

Scott Downs Next Up

AL CENTRAL
Chicago White Sox
Bobby Jenks Closer

Octavio Dotel Next in Line

Cleveland Indians
Masahide Kobayashi Closer

Rafael Betancourt Next Up
Rafael Perez Next Up

Detroit Tigers
Todd Jones Closer

Joel Zumaya Future Closer

645 · February 8th, 2008, 11:18 PM

Kansas City Royals
Joakim Soria Closer

Leo Nunez DL
Ramon Ramirez Next in Line

Minnesota Twins
Joe Nathan Closer

Jesse Crain Next in Line

AL West
Los Angeles Angels
Francisco Rodriguez Closer

Scot Shields Next in Line

Oakland A's
Huston Street Closer

(Trade Into)
Santiago Casilla Next in Line

645 · February 8th, 2008, 11:30 PM

Seattle Mariners
Brandon Morrow Closer

J.J. Putz Next up

Texas Rangers
C.J. Wilson Closer

Eddie Guardado Next in Line

NL East
Atlanta Braves
Mike Gonzalez Closer

Rafael Soriano DL

Florida Marlins
Kevin Gregg Closer

(Trade Out of)
Joe Nelson Next Up
Renyel Pinto Next Up

645 · February 8th, 2008, 11:43 PM

New York Mets
Billy Wagner Closer

Duaner Sanchez Next Up
Aaron Heilman Next in Line

Philadelphia Phillies
Brad Lidge Closer

Tom Gordon DL
Ryan Madson next up
Rudy Seanez next Up

Washington Nationals
Joel Hanrahan Co-Closer
Saul Rivera Co-Closer
Luis Ayala Co-Closer

NL CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs
Kerry Wood Closer

Carlos Marmol Next in Line

645 · February 8th, 2008, 11:55 PM

Cincinnati Reds
Francisco Cordero Closer

(Trade into)
David Weathers Next in Line (Trade)

Houston Astros
Jose Valverde Closer

(trade into)
Doug Brocail Next in Line

Milwaukee Brewers
Salomon Torres Closer

Eric Gagne Next in Line

Pittsburgh Pirates
Damaso Marte Closer (Fill-in)
Matt Capps DL
Tyler Yates Next Up

645 · February 9th, 2008, 12:10 AM

St. Louis Cardinals
Jason Isringhausen Co-Closer
Ryan Franklin Co-Closer

NL WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks
Brandon Lyon Closer

Jon Rauch ?
Tony Peña Next Up

Colorado Rockies
Brian Fuentes Closer

(Trade into)
Manny Corpas Next in Line

Los Angeles Dodgers
Jonathan Broxton Closer (fill-in)
Takashi Saito DL
Hong-Chih Kuo Next Up

645 · February 9th, 2008, 12:16 AM

San Diego Padres
Trevor Hoffman Closer

(Trade into)
Heath Bell Next in Line

San Francisco Giants
Brian Wilson Closer

Tyler Walker Next in Line

645 · February 9th, 2008, 12:17 AM

Job Stability

High

Moderate

Low

Short Leash

(*) In AAA

Next Up: is use for players that are in the 2nd spot in the pen.

Next in Line: is use for players that are most likely to get the first chance at closer if a change is made.

645 · February 9th, 2008, 01:13 AM

Alright to highlight a few that should be noted.

Baltimore
This situation is a mess all Around and the O's may change closers a number of times this season and it is best to stay away from it on Draft Day.

Tampa Bay Rays
The Ray's signed Troy Percival in the offseason to be there Closer but there is heath issues with him and it is unlikely he will stay heathty all season and there is a good chance that Al Reyes last Season will get a few saves thoughout the Season.

Toronto Blue Jays
B.J. Ryan coming back from Tommy John surgery expected to be back for the start of the season but there has to be the question will he be ready to close. So Jeremy Accardo may still have a chance to get a few more saves.

Cleveland Indians
Joe Borowski is a questionable closer and his chances of remaining closer all season is 50-50 but I wouldn't count on him repeating what he did last season and there is a good chance that Rafael Betancourt could get a few Saves for the Indians this season.

Detroit Tigers
Todd Jones has been in decline for some time and he isn't going to get any better but with Joel Zumaya likely out for at least midseason the closer job should be his for the first half but you expect there is plenty of risk here.

Texas Rangers
C.J. Wilson will start the season as the Rangers Closer but he may not finish the season as closer. So expect a few changes in Texas along the Way.

645 · February 9th, 2008, 01:57 AM

Florida Marlins
Nothing wrong with Kevin Gregg as closer and there isn't a chance of him losing the Closer job in Florida but by the time the Trade deadline rolls around and a contender starting look to boost there bullpen for the Playoff run Kevin Gregg maybe one of the best out there for grabs and he could loss his closing job though a Trade.

Philadelphia Phillies
Brad Lidge has lost his closer job in Houston a number times over the years and that's why the Astros gave up him and the Phillies still have Tom Gordon so each may have atless one chance this season to be Closer.

Chicago Cubs
Kerry Wood inter the Season as Closer but wouldn't count on him to stay heathing becouse he never does. The cubs calls Carlos Marmol there Future Closer but hasn't yet given the chance yet and there is Bob Howry who was there closer last year

Houston Astros
Jose Valverde is coming off his best season and his past history isn't that good. So he clearly will be overvalued on Draft day and it is best to let someone else make the mistake of Drafting him.

Milwaukee Brewers
Eric Gagne is a risk but I'm sure you already know that but it should be pointed out anyway.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Brandon Lyon was named Closer so that it would be desided during Spring Training so to say. Although you can be pritty sure in will be.

San Francisco Giants
The Giants are finaly ready to give Brian Wilson the Chance to be Closer but it isn't a 100% sure thing yet. So keep in mind there could be some risk there.

645 · February 15th, 2008, 04:01 AM

I have remove the O's closer from the list for one searce has Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford as Co-Closers and yet another has Greg Aquino as closer and the depth chart on the Orioles site says Danys Baez is closer and I want the info I post here to be somewhat reliable to use at Draft day and it's my option that the info there is on the Orioles Closer to be is anything but reliable.

And I would say it again unless the Orioles manage to pick up someone in signing or by Trade that you should stay as far away as possable on draft day.

645 · February 22nd, 2008, 02:09 PM

Another update.

In Chicago I've change the Cubs closer to Bob Howry becouse of This Article where Lou Piniella discuss the Cubs closer spot and he basicly said at this point that Howry was Favorite for he was closer last year but he said he all the guys competing for closer are capable. But I wouldn't think of it as a sure thing yet for that something that will be desided in Spring Training.

In Baltimore, Although he was a Left Handed Specialist in seattle George Sherrill who is coming over in the Erik Bedard trade becomes the Favorite right now for the O's closer role for he had a outstanding year last year better then anyone else the O's have in the pen right now.

645 · February 24th, 2008, 09:24 PM

Brad Lidge will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for three to six weeks.

645 · March 4th, 2008, 08:35 PM

With about a week into spring Training games Carlos Marmol has been dominant in two spring outings and with Kerry Wood and Bob Howry don't doing as well Marmol has become the Favorite for the Cubs Closer job.

February 8th, 2008, 10:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	2008 Closer Watch AL EAST Baltimore Orioles George Sherrill Closer (Trade Out Of) Jim Johnson Next Up Boston Red Sox Jonathan Papelbon Closer Manny Delcarmen Next in Line Hideki Okajima Next Up New York Yankees Mariano Rivera Closer Kyle Farnsworth Next in Line Tampa Bay Devil Rays Troy Percival Closer Grant Balfour Next in Line Last edited by 645; July 21st, 2008 at 04:05 PM. Reason: Updating Closer Watch

February 8th, 2008, 11:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	AL East - AL Central Toronto Blue Jays B.J. Ryan Closer Scott Downs Next Up AL CENTRAL Chicago White Sox Bobby Jenks Closer Octavio Dotel Next in Line Cleveland Indians Masahide Kobayashi Closer Rafael Betancourt Next Up Rafael Perez Next Up Detroit Tigers Todd Jones Closer Joel Zumaya Future Closer Last edited by 645; July 21st, 2008 at 04:11 PM.

February 8th, 2008, 11:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	AL Central - AL West Kansas City Royals Joakim Soria Closer Leo Nunez DL Ramon Ramirez Next in Line Minnesota Twins Joe Nathan Closer Jesse Crain Next in Line AL West Los Angeles Angels Francisco Rodriguez Closer Scot Shields Next in Line Oakland A's Huston Street Closer (Trade Into) Santiago Casilla Next in Line Last edited by 645; July 21st, 2008 at 04:18 PM.

February 8th, 2008, 11:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	AL West - NL East Seattle Mariners Brandon Morrow Closer J.J. Putz Next up Texas Rangers C.J. Wilson Closer Eddie Guardado Next in Line NL East Atlanta Braves Mike Gonzalez Closer Rafael Soriano DL Florida Marlins Kevin Gregg Closer (Trade Out of) Joe Nelson Next Up Renyel Pinto Next Up Last edited by 645; July 21st, 2008 at 04:23 PM.

February 8th, 2008, 11:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	NL East - NL Central New York Mets Billy Wagner Closer Duaner Sanchez Next Up Aaron Heilman Next in Line Philadelphia Phillies Brad Lidge Closer Tom Gordon DL Ryan Madson next up Rudy Seanez next Up Washington Nationals Joel Hanrahan Co-Closer Saul Rivera Co-Closer Luis Ayala Co-Closer NL CENTRAL Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood Closer Carlos Marmol Next in Line Last edited by 645; July 22nd, 2008 at 05:37 PM. Reason: Updating Closer Watch

February 8th, 2008, 11:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	NL Central Cincinnati Reds Francisco Cordero Closer (Trade into) David Weathers Next in Line (Trade) Houston Astros Jose Valverde Closer (trade into) Doug Brocail Next in Line Milwaukee Brewers Salomon Torres Closer Eric Gagne Next in Line Pittsburgh Pirates Damaso Marte Closer (Fill-in) Matt Capps DL Tyler Yates Next Up Last edited by 645; July 16th, 2008 at 11:41 PM.

February 9th, 2008, 12:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	NL Central - NL West St. Louis Cardinals Jason Isringhausen Co-Closer Ryan Franklin Co-Closer NL WEST Arizona Diamondbacks Brandon Lyon Closer Jon Rauch ? Tony Peña Next Up Colorado Rockies Brian Fuentes Closer (Trade into) Manny Corpas Next in Line Los Angeles Dodgers Jonathan Broxton Closer (fill-in) Takashi Saito DL Hong-Chih Kuo Next Up Last edited by 645; July 22nd, 2008 at 05:40 PM.

February 9th, 2008, 12:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	NL West San Diego Padres Trevor Hoffman Closer (Trade into) Heath Bell Next in Line San Francisco Giants Brian Wilson Closer Tyler Walker Next in Line Last edited by 645; July 16th, 2008 at 11:47 PM.

February 9th, 2008, 12:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	Job Stability High Moderate Low Short Leash () In AAA Next Up: is use for players that are in the 2nd spot in the pen. Next in Line: is use for players that are most likely to get the first chance at closer if a change is made. Last edited by 645; March 31st, 2008 at 01:04 AM.*

February 9th, 2008, 01:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	Season Preview: American League Alright to highlight a few that should be noted. Baltimore This situation is a mess all Around and the O's may change closers a number of times this season and it is best to stay away from it on Draft Day. Tampa Bay Rays The Ray's signed Troy Percival in the offseason to be there Closer but there is heath issues with him and it is unlikely he will stay heathty all season and there is a good chance that Al Reyes last Season will get a few saves thoughout the Season. Toronto Blue Jays B.J. Ryan coming back from Tommy John surgery expected to be back for the start of the season but there has to be the question will he be ready to close. So Jeremy Accardo may still have a chance to get a few more saves. Cleveland Indians Joe Borowski is a questionable closer and his chances of remaining closer all season is 50-50 but I wouldn't count on him repeating what he did last season and there is a good chance that Rafael Betancourt could get a few Saves for the Indians this season. Detroit Tigers Todd Jones has been in decline for some time and he isn't going to get any better but with Joel Zumaya likely out for at least midseason the closer job should be his for the first half but you expect there is plenty of risk here. Texas Rangers C.J. Wilson will start the season as the Rangers Closer but he may not finish the season as closer. So expect a few changes in Texas along the Way.

February 9th, 2008, 01:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	Season Preview: National League Florida Marlins Nothing wrong with Kevin Gregg as closer and there isn't a chance of him losing the Closer job in Florida but by the time the Trade deadline rolls around and a contender starting look to boost there bullpen for the Playoff run Kevin Gregg maybe one of the best out there for grabs and he could loss his closing job though a Trade. Philadelphia Phillies Brad Lidge has lost his closer job in Houston a number times over the years and that's why the Astros gave up him and the Phillies still have Tom Gordon so each may have atless one chance this season to be Closer. Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood inter the Season as Closer but wouldn't count on him to stay heathing becouse he never does. The cubs calls Carlos Marmol there Future Closer but hasn't yet given the chance yet and there is Bob Howry who was there closer last year Houston Astros Jose Valverde is coming off his best season and his past history isn't that good. So he clearly will be overvalued on Draft day and it is best to let someone else make the mistake of Drafting him. Milwaukee Brewers Eric Gagne is a risk but I'm sure you already know that but it should be pointed out anyway. Arizona Diamondbacks Brandon Lyon was named Closer so that it would be desided during Spring Training so to say. Although you can be pritty sure in will be. San Francisco Giants The Giants are finaly ready to give Brian Wilson the Chance to be Closer but it isn't a 100% sure thing yet. So keep in mind there could be some risk there. Last edited by 645; February 11th, 2008 at 10:33 PM. Reason: Updating

February 15th, 2008, 04:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	Closer Update I have remove the O's closer from the list for one searce has Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford as Co-Closers and yet another has Greg Aquino as closer and the depth chart on the Orioles site says Danys Baez is closer and I want the info I post here to be somewhat reliable to use at Draft day and it's my option that the info there is on the Orioles Closer to be is anything but reliable. And I would say it again unless the Orioles manage to pick up someone in signing or by Trade that you should stay as far away as possable on draft day.

February 22nd, 2008, 02:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	Closer Update Another update. In Chicago I've change the Cubs closer to Bob Howry becouse of This Article where Lou Piniella discuss the Cubs closer spot and he basicly said at this point that Howry was Favorite for he was closer last year but he said he all the guys competing for closer are capable. But I wouldn't think of it as a sure thing yet for that something that will be desided in Spring Training. In Baltimore, Although he was a Left Handed Specialist in seattle George Sherrill who is coming over in the Erik Bedard trade becomes the Favorite right now for the O's closer role for he had a outstanding year last year better then anyone else the O's have in the pen right now.

February 24th, 2008, 09:24 PM	#14 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	Closer Update Brad Lidge will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for three to six weeks.

March 4th, 2008, 08:35 PM	#15 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,349	Closer Update With about a week into spring Training games Carlos Marmol has been dominant in two spring outings and with Kerry Wood and Bob Howry don't doing as well Marmol has become the Favorite for the Cubs Closer job.