Fantasy Baseball Advice

Joe Borowski landed on the DL, but he’s not coming back any time soon. He was put on the DL because he couldn’t throw a ball faster than 83 MPH. Do you think that’s going to change with some R & R?  Rafael Soriano is on the DL, Peter Moylan is on the DL, so Manny Acosta takes over the closer role. I said yesterday, Manny Acosta could be the closer for a while. So what else is going on in the world of major league closers and some fantasy baseball implications? Let’s take a look:

Trevor Hoffman - Last week, I advised you trade for him and I’m saying the same now. Maybe I’ll say more of the same next week. Oh, happy day!

Jose Valverde - He was not good before last year. Not sure what you can get for him, but I would explore trade options sooner rather than later. I picked up Brocail two days ago where I had room.

Francisco Rodriguez - Shields is the setup man, but I’m not fielding him on any team right now. I trust K-Rod to stay relatively healthy.

Rafael Betancourt - The closer for right now in Borowski’s stead. I get the sneaky suspicion that Rafael Perez and/or Masahide Kobayashi are going to have a say in this. I think they all need to be fielded in AL-Only leagues and deep mixed leagues.

Takashi Saito - Broxton could be the closer right now, but Torre’s not making this switch, at least not unless Saito completely breaks down, which I don’t see happening. I mean, for Christmas sake, Torre played Nomar immediately.

Huston Street - He’s on a team that should lose 90 to 100 games and he’s more injury-prone than Nordberg. You make the call!

Chad Cordero - Jon Rauch will have more saves than Cordero by the end of the year.

Brian Wilson - Saves are saves but Wilson is almost not worth the hassle. I’d try and move him if anyone’s reading Karabell’s usual vomit, where he called Wilson a great Buy Low candidate. Unless his definition of Buy Low is a shaky closer that walks as many as he strikes out. Then he’s right on.

Brad Lidge - Now for an actual Buy Low guy. Who are the Phillies turning to if Lidge fails? Brett Myers again? Tom Gordon? Will the Phillies win close to 90 games? They can. Does Brad Lidge still strike out a ton? Sure does. Are people absolutely terrified he’s going to implode at any second? Yup, they are. Will he? I don’t think so. If he stays healthy, he can get 40 saves with excellent strikeout numbers. As Abba once sang, “Gonna do my very best and it ain’t no lie… If you put me to the test, if you let me try…Take a chance on me…” (Sorry if you now can’t get that out of your head.)

B.J. Ryan - BJ will have you down on your knees. (hehe) He’s not safe, but you knew that. Unfortunately, the people behind him have jumbled themselves as who a clear cut heir apparent might be. At this point, if BJ can’t close a game, if could be anyone from Frasor to Accardo to Wolfe to Downs. I kinda hope BJ can pull it together so I don’t have to pick up any of those other schmohawks.

George Sherrill - Now has six saves. I’d still trade him if I got the right offer.

Brandon Lyon - Not sure if there’s a closer I trust less right now. I even picked up Qualls in one deep league.

Borowski heads to the DL and is probably out as the closer forever. Hallelujah! So now that the Indians have finally realized throwing an 82 MPH fastball probably isn’t the best way to close games, who takes over for Joe Borowski? It’s probably going to be Rafael Betancourt then possibly Rafael Perez, Masahide Kobayashi, Jorge Julio and/or Jensen Lewis. A quick look at these guys and the order I see them taking over for Borowski:

Rafael Betancourt - Has struggled so far this year with a 5.14 ERA and 1.71 WHIP. But he’s first in line.

Rafael Perez - Was nasty last year — lefties (.145) or righties (.213). This year he’s had one bad game to account for his inflated ERA. In leagues where Betancourt was already taken, I’ve grabbed Perez.

Masahide Kobayashi - One of two guys in the bullpen with extensive closing experience, but his was in Japan. I think he could easily become the closer if Betancourt falters.

Jorge Julio - His experience comes in the majors, but some of his closing experience would’ve made Borowski seem safe.

Jensen Lewis - Everyone would have to falter in front of him but he strikes me as a long man.

So there you have it, Borowski’s gone-zo and now it’s Betancourt/Perez/Kobayashi/Julio/Lewis’s chance (although tonight it won’t be Betancourt because he’s pitched two days in a row). This is a long way from decided still.