National League Closer
Status Report
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National
League East |
Atlanta
Braves: Billy Wagner
(L)
Job Security: 8.0
Performance: 8.0
Backup
- Takashi Saito, Peter Moylan
Notes:
The one-time great closer is back. He was been retired
due to injuries, but thus far in 2010 Wagner has
been excellent, but he has only had 5 save chances.
With his injury history, Saito could get some chances
down the line.
Reports |
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Florida
Marlins: Leo Nunez
Job Security: 9.0
Performance: 9.5
Backup
- Burke Badenhop, Clay Hensley
Notes:
Nunez has been as dominating as a closer
gets thus far in 2010 going 2-0 with 9 saves a 1.56
ERA and 19 strikeouts in 17.1 innings. Burke Badenhop
does have 1 save.
Reports
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Philadelphia
Phillies: Brad Lidge
Job Security: 6.5
Performance: 7.5
Backup - Jose Contreras, Danys
Baez, J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin (Ryan Madson on DL)
Notes: Brad Lidge is back and is
off to a good start. Contreas is now the primary
backup. J.C. Romero picked up a save and could be
in the mix, but is still likely a set-up man. Danys
Baez has struggled as a reliever, otherwise he may
be closing, nevertheless, he could be next in-line.
Reports
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New York
Mets: Francisco Rodríguez
Job Security: 10.0
Performance: 9.0
Backup
- Fernando Nieve, Jenrry Mejía, Pedro Feliciano
(L)
Notes: Rodriguez
has been very good, but the Mets haven't given him
too many chances. If he goes down there will likely
be a committee with the above three.
Reports |
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Washington
Nationals: Matt Capps
Job Security: 9.5
Performance: 10.0
Backup - Tyler Clippard, Drew
Storen, Brian Bruney
Notes: Capps has been dominating
and looks to keep the job barring injury. Tyler
Clippard has been equal as a set-up man and will
likely close if Capps goes down. The veteran Bruney
could close in emergency and Drew Storen could be
the closer of the future, but more likely in 2011
or 2012.
Reports |
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National
League Central |
Chicago
Cubs: Carlos Marmol
Job Security: 9.0
Performance: 9.0
Backup - Sean Marshall (L),
John Grabow (L)
Notes: Marmol has been great, when
given the chance. He has nailed 6 saves while posting
a 1.59 ERA and an incredible 33 strikeouts in 17
innings. Carlos Zambrano has been moved back into
the starting rotation. Sean Marshall isn't really
the closer-type, but is pitching very well and could
be used in a pinch.
Reports |
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Cincinnati
Reds: Francisco
Cordero
Job Security: 9.0
Performance: 8.5
Backup -
Nick Masset, Arthur Rhodes (L), David Weathers
Notes: Cordero is one of the best over the years
and has nailed 10 of 12 in 2010. Rhodes is a best
back-up, but is a lefty, so the Reds would likely
go to a committee if Cordero goes down.
Reports |
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Houston
Astros: Matt Lindstrom
Job Security: 9.5
Performance: 9.5
Backup -
Brandon Lyon, Chris Sampson
Notes: Lindstrom has started the
season 9 for 9 saves with a 1.56 ERA and has pushed
Lyon into a set-up role. Chris Sampson could also
see action if Lindstrom goes down as he did get
a couple saves in 2010.
Reports
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Milwaukee
Brewers: John Axford
On Watch!
Job Security: 5.0
Performance: 7.0
Backup - Carlos Villanueva,
Trevor Hoffman John Axford, LaTroy Hawkins (DL)
Notes: John Axford is the closer
for now, but with no history, there is no reason
to feel comfortable Carlos Villanueva has the best
stuff and could close at some point in 2010. . LaTroy
Hawkins was brought in as insurance, but he hasn't
been much better and is now on the DL.
Reports
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Pittsburgh
Pirates: Octavio
Dotel
Job Security: 7.0
Performance: 7.5
Backup - Evan Meek, Joel Hanrahan
Notes: Dotel has been pitching
better of late and has secured the job. Youngster
Evan Meek has been dominating on the other hand
and he could still the job if Dotel blows a couple
of saves in a row. Joel Hanrahan has some experience
as a closer and has a 50-50 chance of getting the
job if Dotel fails.
Reports |
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St. Louis
Cardinals: Ryan
Franklin
Job Security: 8.0
Performance: 8.0
Backup -
Jason Motte, Blake Hawksworth, Dennys Reyes (L)
Notes: Franklin doesn't get much
respect, but he still gets the saves. He is more
of a set-up pitcher, but the Cardinals have little
else. Jason Motte has been average this season and
is no threat to steal the job unless Franklin fails.
Reports |
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National
League West |
Arizona
Diamondbacks: Chad
Qualls
Job Security: 7.0
Performance: 7.0
Backup
- Aaron Heilman, Juan Gutierrez
Notes: Qualls has settled down
and began pitching well again nailing 5 of 6 saves,
but is still not a sure-thing. Juan Gutierrez did
a pretty good job (9 saves) after taking over at
the end of the 2009 season, but has been as bad
as Qualls in 2009. Veteran Aaron Heilman has been
the best in the bullpen, but is hardly closing material.
Qualls may lose his job any day now and Heilman
is a 60-40 favorite over Gutierrez.
Reports |
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Colorado
Rockies: Manuel
Corpas On Watch!
Job Security: 7.0
Performance: 7.0
Backup - Rafael Betancourt,
Huston Street (DL), Franklin Morales (DL)
Notes: Former closer Manuel Corpas
has taken over due to injuries leaving Rafael Betancourt
as the only backup at this point.
Reports |
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Los Angeles
Dodgers: Jonathan
Broxton
Job Security: 10.0
Performance: 10.0
Backup - George Sherrill (L),
Ramon Troncoso, Cory Wade
Notes: Broxton is one of the best,
even though he has had a slow start in the save
category. Veteran Sherrill would likely get the
first shot if Broxton goes down. Ramon Troncoso
is a good young closer who could sneak in being
that Sherrill is a lefty.
Reports |
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San Diego
Padres: Heath Bell
Job Security: 10.0
Performance: 9.5
Backup - Mike Adams, Luke Gregerson
Notes: Bell has been very good
and if he goes Mike Adams, who had a 0.73 ERA in
'09, is the early favorite to take over. Luke Gregerson
is likely third in line, but is pitching very well
right now.
Reports |
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San Francisco
Giants: Brian Wilson
Job Security: 9.5
Performance: 9.0
Backup - Jeremy Affeldt (L), Sergio Romo
Notes: Wilson has developed into
an excellent closer and has closed 9 of 10 games
with an ERA under 2.00. Lefty Jeremy Affeldt is
the best back-up and already has 2 saves. Sergio
Romo makes the best right-handed option.
Reports |
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