Value Closers

Brad Lidge - I know, if you had him last year he probably (almost single-handedly) destroyed your whip. We in fantasy baseball like to always bring up the oh-so-lovely 'regression to the mean'. He can't be this bad again, however his image has suffered since people have very short memories. He's good for 35 saves and 100K ...three years ago he had 157...pretty awesome for a closer.

Octavio Dotel - closing in KC. 30 saves here, on the cheap. some durability risk.

Salomon Torres - most leagues have not reflected the roster changes in Pittsburgh to the draft pre-rankings. Other savvy managers know this and will hope to get Sally for a song. Wherever you see him going in average draft position, target him a round or two earlier.

Joe Borowski - he has no competition for saves in Cleveland, BUT he's still not a lock by any means, and there are replacements waiting in the wings. Drop a pick on him in the 14-18th round (12 team)

Bill Bray - he's the favourite in cincy, but not being drafted accordingly. not a sure thing, but worth a spec pick in the rounds where everyone else will be grabbing a beer.

Jonathan Broxton - let us start with the basics: he will give you 100K and about 90 innings of low whip ball. If you can't guarantee saves, this is a decent consolation. If Saito falters, as he may, Broxton could walk in as a dominant closer

Joel Zumaya - Todd Jones is old. He can still do the job, but if he spends any time on the DL, Zumaya could pick up some saves. great peripherals and 100Ks regardless.

Cla Meredith - good for low whip, low ERA, and decent Ks in the National. Hoffman is the first, second, and third option at closer; don't look for "what if" saves here.


and finally the only closer I would take in round 4:

Joe Nathan.

the only guy I see as having next to no injury risk and as a good foundation to your RP staff. start the run yourself on draft day, and then pick up a few value closers in the later rounds. you'll thank yourself.