The Closer Report – week 4

Here is a look at the closer report for week 4. It contains all of the most recent closer news, plus the current closers and the current handcuffs.

Fantasy baseball owners have to be happy with Arizona Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch that he is a patient man. Also it helps that everyone has in the D-Bakcs bullpen has been getting bombed as well so Chad Qualls was able to keep his job as closer for the time being. He responded by picking up two clean saves in his last two outings so it keeps him in the role for another week at least.

While walks by a starting pitcher can be a killer, if they allow a big inning, it can usually be smoothed out over the course of a five or six inning start. As a closer however, walks are going to lead to big innings and an eventual loss of job. Here is a look at some of the current closers with high walk rates just a few weeks into the fantasy baseball season.

Matt Capps was walked six in 12 innings, leaving him with a WHIP of 1.50. Jonathan Papelbon has struggled with his control in Boston, walking eight against seven strikeouts in 10 innings, giving him a 1.50 WHIP as well. Chris Perez may find it difficult to keep Kerry Wood from taking back the closer role unless he improves his control, with six walks allowed in 6 2/3 innings. Bobby Jenks, whom it seems is always on the verge of losing his job every season, has given six free passes in eight innings and has a WHIP of 1.75.

What do Cla Meredith, Darren Oliver, Tim Wood, Jeremy Affeldt, Ryan Perry, Burke Badenhop all have in common with Billy Wagner and Jonathan Broxton? Each of them have one save through the first three weeks of the season. If you are looking for someone to target in trade in the closer role, Wagner and Broxton should be at the top of your list. Saves can run in streaks and each of them could easily rack up three or four in a week. Any other owner that discounts their value because they only have one save so far this year is someone you should be talking to.

Team Closer Handcuff
BAL Jim Johnson Cla Meredith, Mike Gonzalez (DL)
BOS Jonathan Papelbon Daniel Bard
CHW Bobby Jenks Matt Thornton
CLE Chris Perez Jensen Lewis, Kerry Wood (DL)
DET Jose Valverde Ryan Perry
KC Joakim Soria Josh Rupe
LAA Brian Fuentes Fernando Rodney
MIN Jon Rauch Matt Guerrier
NYY Mariano Rivera Joba Chamberlain
OAK Andrew Bailey Brad Ziegler
SEA David Aardsma Brandon League
TB Rafael Soriano Grant Balfour
TEX Neftali Feliz Frank Francisco
TOR Kevin Gregg Jason Frasor
AZ Chad Qualls Juan Gutierrez
ATL Billy Wagner Takashi Saito
CHI Carlos Marmol John Grabow
CIN Francisco Cordero Arthur Rhodes
COL Franklin Morales Rafael Betancourt, Huston Street (DL)
FLA Leo Nunez Burke Badenhop
HOU Matt Lindstrom Brandon Lyon
LAD Jonathan Broxton Ramon Tronosco
MIL Trevor Hoffman LaTroy Hawkins
NYM Francisco Rodriguez Pedro Feliciano
PHI Ryan Madson Danys Baez, Brad Lidge (DL)
PIT Octavio Dotel Brendan Donnelly
STL Ryan Franklin Jason Motte
SD Heath Bell Luke Gregerson
SF Brian Wilson Sergio Romo
WAS Matt Capps Tyler Clippard
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