The Closers' Crystal Ball - Every Tuesday by Fantasy Baseball

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Every Tuesday this season we’ll look into our Closers Crystal Ball and take a look at the state of closers across the major league landscape.  No nook and cranny will escape our gaze as we try to break through the mystery surrounding the closer role for teams experiencing closer “flux”.

Every team isn’t blessed with a Mariano Rivera who shuts the door year in and year out.  Many teams will be looking to establish a reliever in the closers role and other will simply be hoping to ride the dreaded closer-by-committee  train home.  The start of the season is very often the most interesting and uncertain as teams without an established closer are living in some state of closer flux.  That can definitely be said this year….let’s get right to it!

Tampa Bay

McGee could take this job over at some point.

When the curtains drew on the Rays 2010 season they knew change was-a-comin’.  Carl Craword,  Carlos Pena,Matt Garza and Rays closer Rafael Soriano all departed.  Soriano was an absolute stud for the Rays in 2010, locking down 45 saves with a 1.73 ERA.  Joe Maddon has been emphatic that he’s not going to name a closer at this point, but rather trust in the closer by committee.  The committee members include at present Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Juan Cruz and rookie Jake McGee.  J.P. Howell is currently rehabbing from should surgery and may be ready sometime in May.  Based on the fact that Farnsworth can still bring the heat and has the edge in experience, he’s been the early favorite.  Farnsworthhowever has a career 4.39 ERA and is nowhere near as automatic as you would like your closer to be.  Juan Cruz was the setup man in K.C. underJoakim Soria and lefty Jake McGee has been viewed by the Rays as a closer-of-the-future.

Closers Crystal Ball says: Expect Farnsworth to get the early nod for opportunities if they’re limited.  Expect Joel Peralta and Juan Cruz or Jake McGee to be in the mix on successive days.  Understand this, Maddon wants to know who his closer is, he’s already admitted it’s easier to game plan when you do, look to Farnsworth early on, expect that Jake McGee may be in the role by season’s end with a good performance.

Toronto Blue Jays

Frank Francisco was brought over to the Jays from the Rangers to serve as the Jays primary closer option.  A pectoral muscle injury to Francisco and a hamstring injury to Octavio Dotel have Jon Rauch currently installed as the closer in Toronto.  Francisco has the best stuff of this group when healthy.  When Matt Capps arrived in Minnesota last year, Rauch immediately was relegated to the setup role.  Octavio Dotel was most of the time in Pittsburgh a closer in name only, getting lit up frequently in 2010 (4.28 ERA, 5 blown saves in 26 chances).

Closers Crystal Ball says: Frank Francisco when healthy should end up closing in Toronto.  Both Dotel, Rauch and even former Jays closer Jason Frasor (currently in the setup role) could also pick up the occasional save.  It’s difficult to speculate on a handcuff for Francisco should he regain the closers role Rauch is currently holding in his absence.  Frasor may end up being the setup guy when it’s all said and done.

Minnesota Twins

Toronto made Nathan work hard for his first save since 2009.

Joe Nathan was a dominant closer for the Twins from 2004 to 2009 before undergoing Tommy John surgery just over a year ago.  The presence of Matt Capps, who notched 16 saves for the Twins last year helps Ron Gardenhire ease Nathan back into the closer role.  Nathan did in fact get the first save opportunity Sunday against Toronto.  He gave up two hits, two walks and a run but escaped with the save.

Closers Crystal Ball says: You want Capps as a handcuff if possible, barring a setback in his recovery expect Nathan to be firmly in the closers role with improving performance.

Washington

The Nationals are currently also riding the closer-by-committee train.  Soft tossing left hander Sean Burnett got the opportunity to record the Nationals first save April 2^nd and converted without issuing a walk or allowing a hit. Drew Storen at present represents Burnett’s immediate competition. Riggleman contends he’ll use either based on matchups, yet used Burnettinstead of Storen knowing the right handed Storen was likely to face two lefties in the eighth.  Storen has the electric stuff, mid 90’s fastball, good slider and much bigger upside.

Closers Crystal Ball says: Expect Storen to be there ultimately, butBurnett could hold the role for a while with a good performance.

Chicago White Sox

With the departure of Bobby Jenks to Beantown the Sox were looking for a closer for the first time since late 2005.  Matt Thornton won the job in the spring over rising stud Chris Sale.  Sale will likely be headed to the Sox rotation next year if not sometime in 2011.  Thornton has been a fantastic setup man over the past few seasons under Jenks and wanted the closers role this spring.

Closers Crystal Ball says: Expect Sale to get the occasional save on daysThornton isn’t available, but Ozzie Guillen feels its asking too much of Saleto be the closer; that and the fact GM Kenny Williams wants Sale in the rotation make the effective Thornton a relatively solid closer given continued performance.

Atlanta Braves

Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez stated his intention to use both lefty Jonny Venters and righty Craig Kimbrel based on matchups in the ninth.  First game of the year and Gonzalez changes course and hands the closer gig toCraig Kimbrel.  Venters has a wicked slider for an out pitch, Kimbrel brings high 90’s heat.

Closers Crystal Ball says: Both have an out pitch and the closer makeup, but Kimbrel has the job to lose at this point.  Grab Venters as your handcuff for Kimbrel in the event of an injury or poor performance.  Either one could be dominant given the shot.