Fantasy Baseball 2009 – Finding Saves
Looking for Saves on the Waiver Wire
If there is one position in Fantasy Baseball where nothing is guaranteed, it is at Closer. Whether due to injuries, trades or just poor performance, the landscape in many bullpens is ever-changing, and that inevitably leaves fantasy owners scrambling to find saves.
The good news is that you don’t have to trade away a star player to get help in fantasy baseball’s most unpredictable category. Every year a handful of effective closers emerge from the shadows, and with a little patience and a watchful eye, you can snag a gem off the waiver wire. Here are the best waiver-wire bets for saves this year:
1. Jason Motte, St. Louis Cardinals
Tony LaRussa has named Motte the Cardinals closer to start the season, sending his main competitor, Chris Perez, to the minors. Motte has blazing stuff, and as long as he can keep the job, should strikeout over a batter per inning to go with his save totals. Ryan Franklin may pick up a save here and there early on, but if Motte is effective, he is a must add. If he should struggle, keep an eye on Perez to get recalled, and grab him if he does.
Motte is far from a fantasy unknown, but is still listed as available in 15% of ESPN leagues and a whopping 48% of Yahoo leagues. If Motte is available in your league, get him quick before he is gone.
2. Brandon Morrow, Seattle Mariners
Originally a promising starting prospect, Morrow was actually much more effective out of the bullpen in limited time last season, picking up 10 saves. With J.J. Putz being traded, the Mariners found themselves with no clear-cut closer to start the season, and Morrow decided late this spring that he wants the job. Health is a mild concern; Morrow suffered from a stiff arm during camp, but if he can stay healthy he instantly becomes a solid source of strikeouts and saves, and is available in almost 20% of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
3. Kevin Gregg, Chicago Cubs
Carlos Marmol is owned in more leagues, but Gregg officially has the job in Chicago; despite the fact that Marmol has better stuff, manager Lou Pinella is opting for Gregg as his stopper to start the season. Gregg was reasonably effective in two years with the Marlins; even with some blown opportunities, Gregg has averaged 30 saves a year the past two seasons, and is perfectly capable of the same thing this time around if he stays sharp on the mound. The best part - Gregg is available in almost 30% of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
4. Joey Devine, Oakland Athletics
Thanks to his battle with Brad Ziegler for the closer job this spring, some owners have been shy to pick up Devine, who is still listed as available in over one third of Yahoo leagues. Ziegler has pitched more effectively this spring, but Devine has better stuff and if he is not the closer to start the season, he will be eventually. Arm problems are a concern, but when healthy, Devine has the potential to be a lights-out stopper with good strikeout numbers.
Update - Devine was sent to Dr. James Andrews to determine if he needs elbow surgery. Seeing the foremost expert on Tommy John surgery is not good. Grab Ziegler if you can, but stay far away from Devine until a determination is made
5. Chris Ray, Baltimore Orioles
Current Orioles closer George Sherrill told the Baltimore Sun that, based on how good Chris Ray has looked this spring, he would not mind moving back to a set-up role. With Sherrill having that kind of confidence about his job, it is only a matter of time until Ray reclaims the ninth inning in Baltimore. A year removed from Tommy John surgery, Ray has been great this spring – hey, sometimes the surgery actually works. Re-injury is a concern, but Ray is worthy of watching closely, and available in half of ESPN leagues and almost 70% of Yahoo.
6. Jensen Lewis, Cleveland Indians
Kerry Wood is set to start the season as the Indians closer. After he gets hurt or simply implodes, someone will need to take over, and that is where Lewis comes in. Lewis is readily available, so there is no rush, but keep an eye on him when the inevitable happens.
7. Scott Downs, Toronto Blue Jays
A power pitcher with an 85 MPH fastball is not terribly intimidating, and that is what the Blue Jays have right now in closer B.J. Ryan. Ryan has not been the same since having Tommy John surgery, and a rough spring has manager Cito Gaston already considering giving Downs a chance to close. Downs will never be confused for a power pitcher himself, but there are a lot of saves to be had in Toronto, and if given the opportunity, Downs could be a big help to a fantasy owner's bullpen. Like Lewis, keep an eye on Downs, who is also readily available.
8. Manny Corpas, Colorado Rockies
The Rockies did not trade away Matt Holliday to get closer Huston Street with the intent of siting him on the bench, yet somehow Street has found himself in a battle with Corpas this spring for the stopper role. Street will likely win the job, but if the past few years are any indicator, the risk of injury is ever-present. If Street is ineffective or gets hurt, Corpas has been solid all spring, and is more than capable of taking over, but provides less strikeout potential.
Finding enough saves in fantasy baseball can be a full-time job, especially in AL-only, NL-only and deeper mixed leagues. Knowing where to find quality bullpen help after the draft can give you an edge in a constantly fluctuating category. Put these closers on you watch list or in a free bench slot and you will be ready when changes happen.
Need more fantasy baseball help? Click here for Sleeper picks at the plate and on the mound this season that are available right now in almost half of all ESPN and Yahoo fantasy baseball leagues.
Closer Kevin Gregg is available in 30% of leagues
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