Criteria

So how do I grade these ninth-inning flamethrowers? Well, one is job security. Usually, signing a megadeal, having a strong track record or flat out dealing this season will certainly lead to job security. How the closer has done recently will be part of it, too. Age is somewhat of a big deal, but Mariano Rivera has nothing to worry about with his numbers. But security must also involve teammates. Does he have a talented bullpen housing a future closer candidate around him or is the job guaranteed? There should be plenty of opinions on this issue, so feel free to send a PM to Surge or just e-mail me at surge5102002@yahoo.com.

First Tier

. . . These guys have been great all season, for the past couple seasons and for the past few games as well. When they come in, the celebration may as well begin.

1. Francisco Rodriguez, Angels
Last 10 Appearances: 7/8 saves, 10 IP, 11:4 K:BB, 1.80 ERA.
2005-07 average: 44/49 saves, 70 IP, 93:31 K:BB, 2.38 ERA.
K-Rod just recently blew his second save of the season giving Jerry Manuel's Mets their first win under the new skipper. I'm sure everyone realizes this game was just one slip up in an otherwise dominant campaign.

2. Mariano Rivera, Yankees
Last 10 Appearances: 6/6 saves, 10 IP, 16:1 K:BB, 1.80 ERA.
2005-07: 36/40 saves, 75  IP, 70:14 K:BB, 2.08 ERA.
Rivera recently gave up two earned runs in three appearances, but when you give up just one earned run entering June, somebody's going to get lucky. In thirteen of his last fourteen appearances, Mo has struck out at least one batter, and his three walks all year lead all the closers on this list. Yes, his ERA is still sub-1.

3. Joe Nathan, Twins
Last 10 Appearances: 5/7 saves, 9.2 IP, 8:1 K:BB, 1.86 ERA.
2005-07: 39/43 saves, 70 IP, 89:19 K:BB, 2.06 ERA.
Though Nathan's been unbelievable all season long, the Twins haven't. They're 5-8 in June, and Nathan has appeared in just four games so far this month. Nathan hasn't thrown twenty pitches in an outing since May 22nd.

4. Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox
Last 10 Appearances: 7/8 saves, 9.1 IP, 14:2 K:BB, 0.96 ERA.
2006-07: 36/41 saves, 63 IP, 80:14 K:BB, 1.35 ERA.
Papelbon has some helpful scorekeepers on his side. Five of his twelve runs allowed this year have been unearned, including three of his four runs allowed in this current ten-appearance stretch.

5. Bobby Jenks, White Sox (Up One)
Last 10 Appearances: 7/8 saves, 11 IP, 6:2 K:BB, 1.64 ERA.
2006-07: 41/46 saves, 67 IP, 68:22 K:BB, 3.41 ERA.
Our first mover up the list, Jenks did blow a save with two runs allowed versus the Royals. However, the White Sox won the game and remain in first in the AL Central. But with the White Sox bats hitting like they have, the opportunities for Jenks this month have been limited with just five games pitched into this month.

Second Tier

. . . These guys represent the first wave of movement. Closers in this tier were pretty well-recognized last week, but after such a dominating few games, they deserved to top those who just stink it up recently. But for some reason, I've decided they're still not deserving of the upper echelon guys just yet.

6. Brad Lidge, Phillies (Up Four)
Last 10 Appearances: 7/7 saves, 10 IP, 16:3 K:BB, 1.80 ERA.
2005-07: 31/37 saves, 71 IP, 98:30 K:BB, 3.68 ERA.
Maybe it's a homer move, but Lidge has dominated June. He has been a ninth-inning star for one of the most dominating teams in the recent weeks. His past definitely worries me in the second half, but with two or more strikeouts in seven of his past nine, Lidge hasn't cooled down, yet.

7. Kerry Wood, Cubs (Up Six)
Last 10 Appearances: 7/7 saves, 10.2 IP, 17:3 K:BB, 0.84 ERA.
A 17 to 3 K to BB is pretty damn impressive, and Wood has been doing it all year. Piniella was patient after a so-so start and it has paid off in the form of a possible all-star candidate.

8. George Sherrill, Orioles (Up Four)
Last 10 Appearances: 7/8 saves, 9 IP, 11:4 K:BB, 3.00 ERA.
Consistent, consistent, consistent. The 31-year old recently blew his third save of the season, and his first since early May. Sherrill certainly has a hold of the job in Baltimore.

9. Brandon Lyon, Diamondbacks (Up Nine)
Last 10 Appearances: 3/3 saves, 9.2 IP, 8:5 K:BB, 3.72 ERA.
Lyon had been filthy for the past couple months until he recently gave up four earned runs to the A's. They lost the game 15-1, so Lyon's efforts weren't exactly important or vital to victory. Worrisome to me is Lyon's recent K to BB ratio, but the DBax closer hasn't blown a save since April 6th.

Third Tier

. . . Two sets of guys make up this tier. These guys fell from the top tier last week or they were in the second tier and just haven't dominated like the previous men to warrant staying in that spot.

10. Takashi Saito, Dodgers (Down Three)
Last 10 Appearances: 3/4 saves, 11 IP, 21:3 K:BB, 2.45 ERA.
2006-07: 32/35 saves, 71.1 IP, 93:18 K:BB, 1.77 ERA.
Saito has done nothing to warrant being moved down, but his team has been atrocious at giving him opportunities. The aging Miyagi, Japan native has not been given an opportunity in June. So when other guys like Wood and Sherrill dominate, someone not doing much at all must be sacrificed. However, Saito is just striking out anyone who dares bat.

11. Joakim Soria, Royals (Down One)
Last 10 Appearances: 7/8 saves, 12.1 IP, 9:4 K:BB, 2.13 ERA.
2007: 17/21 saves, 69 IP, 75:19 K:BB, 2.48 ERA.
I see no reason to move him down from his ranking just a week ago, but because of Lyon, he drops a single ranking. His numbers are still ridiculous (sub-2 ERA, one blown save all year) and the Royals have few if any other options to replace him. Sure, the wins can be scarce, but Soria will pitch 60-70 IP even in non-save situations with three straight 2-inning outings in late May and early June.

12. Huston Street, Athletics (Up Four)
Last 10 Appearances: 4/4 saves, 10 IP, 15:2 K:BB, 0.90 ERA.
2005-07: 25/32 saves, 199 IP, 67:17 K:BB, 2.58 ERA.
The numbers are very impressive for Street. June's given him one save opportunity, but he converted it, and he's had to pitch twenty pitches only once in the past ten outings. He has a 1.29 ERA this month. My only worry for Street would be getting traded from the we-don't-pay-anyone A's.

13. Francisco Cordero, Reds (Down Five)
Last 10 Appearances: 3/5 saves, 10.1 IP, 8:4 K:BB, 4.35 ERA.
2005-07: 34/41 saves, 69 IP, 83:27 K:BB, 3.38 ERA.
Cordero still has a sub-3 ERA, but he did allow three earned runs to the Marlins for his third blown save of 2008. In June, the Reds closer has just two saves, so he needs opportunities if he wants any worth.

14. Billy Wagner, Mets (Down Nine)
Last 10 Appearances: 6/9 saves, 9 IP, 12:3 K:BB, 6.00 ERA.
2005-07: 37/41 saves, 73 IP, 87:21 K:BB, 2.10 ERA.
You don't understand how happy I am to move the ex-Phils closer down this list. Though his season is still very solid (2.33 ERA, 32:6 K:BB), Wagner has already blown five saves in ‘08. He blew five saves the entire season each of the last two years, so Wagner's 36-year old left arm will be examined by the New York media. He blew three saves in a row, too. Wagner's ERA, once a gaudy 0.36, has gone up by more than five times that amount. His history keeps him from dropping further.

Fourth Tier

. . . These guys have remained rather stagnant mainly because I am both afraid to move them ahead for one reason or another and because the guys ahead of them have a better past to make me entrust them right now.

15. Matt Capps, Pirates (Down Four)
Last 10 Appearances: 6/9 saves, 10.2 IP, 10:2 K:BB, 4.22 ERA.
2007: 18/21 saves, 79 IP, 64:16 K:BB, 2.28 ERA.
Recently, Capps has caught a case of the Pirates blues. Like most current and former Bucs players, Capps has hit a pretty bad slump. He did allow two runs over two innings in his most recent outing, but luckily both were unearned. His strikeout to walk ratio has been very impressive, but it's worthless with the consistent saves being blown.

16. Jose Valverde, Astros (Down Two)
Last 10 Appearances: 2/3 saves, 9 IP, 11:5 K:BB, 5.00 ERA.
2005-07: 27 saves, 60 IP, 74: 23 K:BB, 3.45 ERA.
Valverde's allowed a few runs in recent outings, and his K:BB has been 4:5 in his past five outings. Valverde lost the job just two years to ago to the guy a couple spots above him on this list, so expecting him to keep his job because of the trade to Houston would be premature.

Fifth Tier

. . . Three of the four guys in this group have been really good recently. They've warranted a move up. The fourth guy, Percival, has been injured, so we'll see how he handles the DL stint before giving him any props.

17. Brian Wilson, Giants (Up Three)
Last 10 Appearances: 6/6 saves, 10 IP, 13:5 K:BB, 1.80 ERA.
Wilson does not have great numbers this year (4.40 ERA, 1.4 WHIP), but when you go 19/21 in the save department, it's hard to keep him down. The Giants have few options, and despite allowing runs from time to time, Wilson's been efficient and has recently been logging more than a strikeout per inning.

18. Jon Rauch, Nationals (Up Three)
Last 10 Appearances: 5/6 saves, 10 IP, 13:1 K:BB, 2.70 ERA.
Cordero doesn't seem to be getting his job back even with his return. Rauch has two blown saves since taking over for the former first round draft pick, and he has a 3.86 ERA in June, good enough if he doesn't allow many more earned runs down the stretch.

19. Troy Percival, Rays
Last 10 Appearances: 7/7 saves, 9.1 IP, 11:4 K:BB, 3.86 ERA.
Percival was hurt, but he has notched three saves since his return. The biggest surprise of any closer with his 38-year old right arm somehow still hanging on has been giving the Rays a shot to win most games entering the ninth. Only twice has Percival blown a ninth-inning lead.

Sixth Tier

. . . These guys are veterans who have earned their jobs, but after a tough start or possibly just winning the job last month are not locked into their jobs enough to warrant moving too far ahead. They'll be up with just a couple more similar outings.

20. Trevor Hoffman, Padres (Up Three)
Last 10 Appearances: 6/7 saves, 9.1 IP, 12:1 K:BB, 3.86 ERA.
2005-07: 44/49 saves, 59 IP, 49:13 K:BB, 2.88 ERA.
Hoffman's looked really good recently by looking at those numbers, but that ERA is not that impressive. With the Padres really, really struggling, I doubt a change is made. Yet, even if one isn't, Hoffman hasn't exactly dominated his role with a 4.50 ERA on the year.
Possible Replacement
Heath Bell
Last Ten Appearances: 2 holds, 2 wins, 1 blown lead, 10.1 IP, 11:3 K:BB, 0.87 ERA.
Bell is still the lead candidate to replace Hoffman with his solid history and consistent outings. In addition to the numbers above, Bell's gone from 0-3 to 4-3 thanks to some late-inning help from the Padres offense. Hoffman's role seems secure, but Bell's been pitching like the job is up for grabs.

21. Brian Fuentes, Rockies (Up Six)
Last 10 Appearances: 7/7 saves, 9 IP, 8:2 K:BB, 0.00 ERA.
2005-07: 27/32 saves, 67 IP, 73:38 K:BB, 3.13 ERA.
He was a former all-star closer, so the track record will aid his current streak. With a 27:10 K:BB right now, the star lefty has not yielded a run in eleven straight outings. Colorado might be turning around as well making Fuentes a much better option for the second half.
Possible Replacement
Taylor Buchholz
Last Ten Appearances: 5 holds, 0 blown leads, 9.1 IP, 5:1 K:BB, 1.93 ERA.
Buchholz has done little to warrant keeping off the closer watch list. As the primary set-up man to Fuentes, he's done a great job of making Manny Corpas look like he never belonged in the bullpen in the first place. The 26-year old has not struck out a batter in four consecutive outings, but he hasn't walked one, either.

22. Salomon Torres, Brewers (Up Six)
Last 10 Appearances: 7/7 saves, 11 IP, 4:3 K:BB, 0.82 ERA.
With six straight saves, Torres finds himself in familiar territory. As I mentioned in the previous article, the ex-Bucs closer started off nicely for the Pirates in 2006, but he fell apart losing the job to Pittsburgh's groomed finisher in Matt Capps. Eric Gagne isn't getting the job back, Derrick Turnbow's gone, David Riske's hurt, so Torres seems safe for now.
Possible Replacement
Brian Shouse
Last Ten Appearances: 3 holds, 1 save, 1 blown lead, 11 IP, 11:5 K:BB, 1.64 ERA.
Unlike all the replacement options the Brewers thought they had, Shouse has zero experience in the role. He has six total saves in a career that began in 2003. However, the 39-year old, 5-foot-11 lefty with everything going against him has been effective all year. Torres has little to worry about if he continues to pitch like he has pitched.

Seventh Tier

. . . These guys have fallen apart or remained stagnant recently. With poor ERAs or a few blown saves, they have not confirmed anything to their owners or their managers. Their candidates can feel the heat from the closer's hot seat.

23. BJ Ryan, Blue Jays (Down Eight)
Last 10 Appearances: 5/7 saves, 9 IP, 7:8 K:BB, 6.00 ERA.
2005-06: 37/42 saves, 71.1 IP, 93:23 K:BB, 1.89 ERA.
Ryan's not only blown a couple saves, but he's lost three times as well. His struggles may warrant a look at a guy like Scott Downs, who did a fairly solid job replacing him when he was injured.
Possible Replacement
Scott Downs
Last Ten Appearances: 5 holds, 0 blown leads, 10.2 IP, 7:5 K:BB, 0.00 ERA.
The 32-year old lefty has dominated as the eighth-inning setup man for the Blue Jays, and all five of his runs allowed this year came in April. His case to replace Ryan is aided by the fact he actually did replace Ryan when the primary next-in-line – Accardo – got injured. The worry with Downs is an average 6:5 K:BB this month.

24. Kevin Gregg, Marlins (Down Seven)
Last 10 Appearances: 3/5 saves, 10.1 IP, 9:10 K:BB, 2.61 ERA.
2007: 32/36 saves, 84 IP, 67:40 K:BB, 3.54 ERA.
Despite the ERA, Gregg's blown three saves in his five most recent save opportunities. Yet, he's only allowed three runs in the last ten games he's pitched into, but each run obviously led to a blown save. Overall, his 27:21 K:BB is still nerve-wracking as a Gregg owner, and his four blown saves equal his entire 2007 total.
Possible Replacement
Doug Waechter
Last Ten Appearances: 4 holds, 1 blown lead, 18.2 IP, 12:8 K:BB, 3.86 ERA.
Even the ex-Rays are dealing. Waechter may not sound like a closer's name, but the 27-year old has found his role in the bullpen. After 54 career starts entering this year, the Marlins moved the 4-year veteran to a bullpen role primarily as a long reliever, but he's been so good, Fredi Gonzalez moved him to the seventh-inning role recently. Of course, the Marlins average June has not really proven to anyone who is the next in line should Gregg continue to struggle, and Waechter has been especially bad. Hopefully both guys find their stuff . . . actually, as a Phillies fan, I couldn't care less.

25. CJ Wilson, Rangers (Up One)
Last 10 Appearances: 5/5 saves, 9.2 IP, 12:6 K:BB, 5.59 ERA.
Wilson's lowered his ERA to 4.00 over the past few weeks, and then he decided that his ERA was too low, so he stunk it up recently. Oddly, he moves up one thanks to other move downs and some job replacements.
Possible Replacement
Eddie Guardado
Last 10 Appearances: 6 holds, 1 win, 1 loss, no blown leads, 9 IP, 6:3 K:BB, 5.00 ERA.
I picked Frank Francisco as a closer possibility last week until he completely fell apart in recent outings (0.1 IP, 3 ER vs. the Mets, 1 inning, 2 ER vs. the Royals). With Joaquin Benoit injured, that left Everyday Eddie as the last possibility. And with Percival returning to form so quickly, why not Eddie? He has eleven holds in 2008 as a primary set-up man, and the 37-year old has only walked eight batters in 24.1 innings. He might get the opportunity if Wilson continues with an ERA over 4.50.

26. Ryan Franklin, Cardinals
Last 10 Appearances: 5/6 saves, 7.2 IP, 5:2 K:BB, 5.87 ERA.
Franklin's been anything but consistent over recent appearances, but to his credit, the Cardinals have lost only one of his save opportunities. He allowed two of the runs he's given up in the 20-2 Phillies loss, so he enjoyed some batting practice at home. He also had a pair of two-run leads where he gave up a run in each but still found the save. Still, Franklin's moving one down despite the good stretch saves-wise.
Possible Replacement
Kyle McClellan
Last Ten Appearances: 3 holds, 1 blown lead, 11.2 IP, 11:1 K:BB, 3.09ERA.
The 24-year old is lying in wait for Franklin to screw it up. Franklin's past isn't his friend, but at least he has a past. McClellan has given up four earned runs in his past four outings, but the youngster had done well previously. The kid's ERA on the year is 2.70. If Franklin screws up, McClellan may be a fine pickup.

27. Todd Jones, Tigers (Up Two)
Last 10 Appearances: 5/5 saves, 9 IP, 4:2 K:BB, 3.00 ERA.
2005-07: 39/45 saves, 66 IP, 41:16 K:BB, 3.36 ERA.
I refuse to move him any further up. His past is loaded with average performances and the even K:BB inspires nobody. The ERA is working for him as are the saves to blown saves, but Jones is old and very, very lucky at times. When a star reliever like Zumaya returns or some Tigers reliever currently pitching does not continue to stink it up, perhaps a new closer will emerge.
Possible Replacement
Joel Zumaya
2008: N/A.
Zumaya recently came out with some interesting words about how he was considering retirement with the arm injury.
"I did lose hope after my surgery," Zumaya told reporters the other day in his first appearance at Comerica Park. "I never thought I was going to be here again. I had thoughts of retiring, just giving it up."
But instead, the flamethrowing righty is likely to return to Detroit's bullpen a week from today. Jones owners may want to consider picking him up, especially if Jones is by himself in their closer stables.

Eighth Tier

. . . He's new and just looking for some friends . . . and fantasy ownership.

28. Brandon Morrow, Mariners
Last 10 Appearances: 1 hold, 2 saves, no blown leads, 9.2 IP, 15:2 K:BB, 0.00 ERA.
With Putz hitting the disabled list and clearly being injured when he returned, Brandon Morrow has now got the job like I had pegged last week. In Morrow's last nine outings, he has yielded one hit. The 23-year old has given up two earned runs all season and has an ERA of 0.90. Whether he continues at this pace remains to be seen, but in his first save opportunity, Morrow struck out two of the three batters he faced in a nine-pitch inning with seven strikeouts in three games since earning this role.

Ninth Tier

. . . What the hell, man? Who has the job? Am I a candidate? Where's the application to sign up? I think we all know which jobs I am discussing about, and Hillary's name is already being discussed.

29/30. Atlanta's and Cleveland's Bullpens
I can't put a name out there because I'm not entirely sure who has got the job. For Atlanta, Rafael Soriano's injury luckily coincided with Mike Gonzalez's return. But the former star lefty hasn't pitched in thirteen months. Maybe he can make a BJ Ryan like comeback with that first save he accumulated, and with Blaine Boyer's recent outings, Gonzalez is their last hope. Boyer's got a 36:15 K:BB, but he has yielded five earned runs in six outings. His shot seems to be fading. I suggest Gonzalez in most leagues if you have two or fewer closers. As for the Indians, I was sure Borowski was back in his regular ninth-inning role, but then Masahide Kobayashi recorded his third save of 2008 with Borowski available to throw. The two aging closer candidates could be competing for the job, but the real plan by Wedge is to confuse and confound fantasy owners. Other options such as Rafael Perez and Rafael Betancourt have done absolutely nothing to distance themselves from the pack. At least Perez may be keeping his name in the hat with a 31:13 K:BB and a sub-4 ERA. Right now, though, I'd only keep Kobayashi on my roster since his worth as a middle reliever appears fairly respectable. However, don't expect this job search to be resolved anytime soon.