X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

MLB Closer Breakdown: AL East Edition - 2015 Fantasy Baseball

 

New York Yankees

This is going to be one of the most closely monitored closer competitions in the spring of 2015. The Yankees are currently examining two gigantic (literally) options for the closer spot, in the forms of lefty Andrew Miller and righty Dellin Betances, both of whom throw absolute smoke. Both did plenty last year to justify consideration for the ninth inning, with similar and stunning ratios—Miller boasted a 14.9 K/9 rate and 2.02 ERA across 62.1 innings, while Betances put up a 13.5 K/9 rate with a 1.40 ERA. Neither has any real experience closing games, and both are in fact failed starting pitchers who have found success in the bullpen.

So how will the Yankees choose? Perhaps they won’t—Yankee manager Joe Girardi has floated the idea that they may share closer duties, with game circumstances dictating who gets the ball in the ninth inning. I think it’s better to have one guy who knows that he’ll be out there for a save situation instead of it being a guessing game every night, though, and so ultimately I expect Betances will come away with the job, as he endeared himself to the Yankee fanbase in 2014 with an All-Star-caliber season—basically, he’s earned the first crack at it. Miller should be relegated to the eighth-inning role, which should shorten games significantly.
 

Boston Red Sox

There is no closer debate in Beantown heading into 2015. However, the ninth inning may not be as safe as it appears on the surface with veteran Koji Uehara on the hill. Uehara had an incredible 2013 season, but followed it up with a very shaky 2014. He claimed that he suffered from an injury during the latter half of last season, and if you watched a Red Sox game during that time period, you'd believe him. He was consistently throwing an 85-mph fastball, and had an abysmal August from an ERA standpoint. Uehara will be 40 years old this season, and it is definitely hard to put any trust in him to make it through the summer as the closer.

The Sox aren't without options to back him up, though. Edward Mujica has experience closing games, and I think Junichi Tazawa could see success in that role, as well. Alexi Ogando is now in Boston, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he were given a crack at the ninth inning, should Uehara falter. From a fantasy standpoint, Uehara should still be a decent option at the beginning of the season, but draft him with the expectation that he won’t have the job all year.
 

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have some choices to during Spring Training, and the bullpen is definitely going to be one of the areas under scrutiny. The closer job would most likely have been Jake McGee’s to lose, but a December elbow procedure has him destined to start the season on the DL. This provides an opportunity for Brad Boxberger, who put up a 2.37 ERA and 14.5 K/9 rate across 64.2 innings in 2014. I think he’ll be a fine option at closer until McGee's return, after which we're probably looking at a closer-by-committee situation.

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, I don’t see the Rays winning very many games in 2015, which means a dearth of save opportunities for whoever it is that's closing games. They are in full-on rebuild mode, and will probably languish in the basement of the AL East for most of the year.
 

Toronto Jays

The Blue Jays have a full-on battle for the closer’s role heading into Spring Training. While there are a few potential candidates, I believe it’ll be a two-horse race between Brett Cecil and Aaron Sanchez. As of right now, the job is Brett Cecil’s to begin the season, but young stud Sanchez could challenge him, *if* he goes to the bullpen in 2015. Sanchez, Toronto's 2010 first-round draft pick, is ultimately destined for the starting rotation, but the decision has not yet been made on whether or not 2015 will be the year that he is stretched out. If he's in the ‘pen, I think he'll be able to give Cecil a run for his money during Spring Training.

Going into a fantasy draft, I wouldn’t look to either pitcher for saves until the situation is cleared up. However, if you’re looking for a speculative pick in the later rounds, Cecil is likely the better bet to make an immediate impact.
 

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles might be the safest bet for saves in the AL East in 2015. Zach Britton has a choke-hold on the closer’s job heading into the spring, and for good reason. Another converted starter, Britton had a great deal of success in 2014, his first season as a reliever. He notched 37 saves in 41 opportunities (71 appearances), with a 1.65 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. His K/9 isn’t as impressive as some of the other AL East closer candidates, but he has utterly mastered the art of inducing ground balls. Britton led all relievers in ground ball percentage in 2014, after eliminating the four-seam fastball from his repertoire and instead relying on a nasty sinker to get hitters out.

Britton should break the top ten in saves this year, and he represents the safest option in the AL East. Draft him with confidence in 2015.
 
 
Follow me @Roto_Dubs for great fantasy baseball content all year. 
 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Adolis García2 hours ago

Adolis Garcia Hits Solo Homer Monday
Cristian Javier2 hours ago

Turns In Rough Start Monday
Hunter Brown2 hours ago

Having Strong Spring
Matt Canterino2 hours ago

Suffers Setback Monday, Will Need Injured List Stint
Caleb Thielbar2 hours ago

To Start Season On Injured List
Will Benson2 hours ago

Stuart Fairchild Could See Time In Center Field
Zac Gallen3 hours ago

Gets Opening Day Nod
Jake Fraley3 hours ago

Leaves Monday's Game Early
Nolan Schanuel3 hours ago

Injury Isn't Serious
Isaiah Stewart4 hours ago

Injured Against Boston
Duncan Robinson4 hours ago

Doesn't Return On Monday
Jackson Chourio5 hours ago

Makes Opening Day Roster
Anthony Davis5 hours ago

Cleared To Meet Atlanta
Blake Snell5 hours ago

Heading To The Giants
Onyeka Okongwu5 hours ago

To Return On Monday
Bryce McGowens6 hours ago

Unavailable For Tuesday
Orion Kerkering6 hours ago

Might Not Be Ready For Opening Day
Tyus Jones6 hours ago

Won't Play On Tuesday
Nick Lodolo6 hours ago

To Be Ready By April 10
Deni Avdija6 hours ago

Unavailable For Tuesday
Nick Martinez6 hours ago

To Open The Year In The Rotation
OG Anunoby6 hours ago

Set For Multi-Game Absence
Kyle Kuzma6 hours ago

Uncertain For Tuesday
Luka Doncic6 hours ago

Considered Probable For Tuesday
Matt McLain6 hours ago

Scratched With Shoulder Soreness
Bilal Coulibaly7 hours ago

Ruled Out For Rest Of Season
Kenley Jansen7 hours ago

Scheduled To Make Four More Spring Appearances
Jackson Chourio7 hours ago

"In The Mix" For Roster Spot
Yordan Alvarez7 hours ago

Removal Monday Wasn't Due To Injury
Rudy Gobert7 hours ago

Ruled Out For Monday
Scoot Henderson7 hours ago

Returns To Starting Unit Without Restrictions
Matisse Thybulle7 hours ago

Available Again On Monday
Wyatt Langford7 hours ago

Knocks In Run On Monday
Jerami Grant7 hours ago

Remains Sidelined On Monday
Carlos Rodón7 hours ago

Carlos Rodon Looks Excellent On Monday
Lauri Markkanen7 hours ago

Returns To Action On Monday
Drew Thorpe7 hours ago

Struggles On Monday
Alex Caruso7 hours ago

Ready To Roll Monday
Coby White7 hours ago

Ruled Out For Monday
Kristaps Porzingis8 hours ago

Returns To Celtics Lineup
Jaylen Brown8 hours ago

Ready To Go On Monday
Jayson Tatum8 hours ago

Won't Play Against Detroit
Teuvo Teravainen8 hours ago

Misses Second Straight Game
Joshua Dobbs8 hours ago

49ers Reach Agreement With Joshua Dobbs
TOR8 hours ago

Mitch Marner To Miss At Least Two More Games
Jacob Markstrom8 hours ago

Could Return This Weekend
Rico Dowdle8 hours ago

Staying With Cowboys
Mikhail Sergachev8 hours ago

Skates On Monday
Dustin Wolf8 hours ago

Between The Pipes Monday
New Orleans Saints9 hours ago

Saints Expected To Sign Chase Young
Alexander Mattison9 hours ago

Signing With Raiders
Buffalo Bills10 hours ago

Taron Johnson Re-Signs With Bills On Three-Year Deal
Dallas Cowboys11 hours ago

Leighton Vander Esch Calling It A Career
Bryan Battle12 hours ago

Bout Ends in Controversy
Ange Loosa13 hours ago

Fight Ruled A No-Contest After Accidental Eye Poke
Ovince Saint Preux13 hours ago

Wins Split Decision In A Back-And-Forth Fight
Kennedy Nzechukwu13 hours ago

Suffers Split-Decision Loss To Ovince Saint Preux
Gerald Meerschaert13 hours ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Bryan Barberena13 hours ago

Submitted In The Second Round
Denny Hamlin14 hours ago

Emerges Victorious For Second Bristol Win In A Row
Alexander Mattison15 hours ago

Visiting With Raiders
Dak Prescott15 hours ago

Cowboys Restructure Dak Prescott's Contract
Dmitry Orlov15 hours ago

Collects Four Points In Big Win
Tyler Toffoli16 hours ago

Dominates Against Columbus With Three Points
Lucas Raymond16 hours ago

Pots Pair Of Goals Versus Penguins
Kaz Grala16 hours ago

Finishes 19th At Bristol Motor Speedway
Bo Horvat16 hours ago

Scores Twice In Losing Effort
Brad Keselowski16 hours ago

Exceeds Value In DFS At Bristol Motor Speedway
Pavel Buchnevich16 hours ago

Delivers Three Assists In Sunday's Win
Ryan Lindgren16 hours ago

Suffers Leg Injury Versus Islanders
Kyle Larson17 hours ago

After 5th at Bristol: "I Hope I Never Have To Run A Race Like That Again"
Chase Elliott17 hours ago

Earns First Top 10 Finish Of 2024
Justin Haley17 hours ago

Earns Best NextGen Short Track Finish for Rick Ware Racing
Ty Gibbs17 hours ago

Has Dominant Day at Bristol but Fades Late
John Hunter Nemechek22 hours ago

Found Speed At Bristol
Chris Buescher22 hours ago

Secures Top 10 At Bristol
Alex Bowman1 day ago

Late Charge to Fourth Masks Early Race Struggles
Christopher Bell1 day ago

Ran Well, But His Teammates Were All Better
Martin Truex Jr1 day ago

. Matches Career-Best Finish At Bristol
Ryan Blaney1 day ago

Fades to 16th at Bristol After Handling Struggles
Russell Wilson2 days ago

Still Considered The Starter
William Byron2 days ago

Is One Of The Top DFS Options For Bristol
Ty Gibbs2 days ago

Starts 19th At Bristol After Damage In Practice
Justin Haley2 days ago

Scores A Starting Position Of 32nd For Bristol
Denny Hamlin2 days ago

Should Compete For The Win At Bristol
Brad Keselowski2 days ago

History Indicates Brad Keselowski Being A Favorable Bristol Play
Joey Logano2 days ago

Should Be Rostered With Caution At Bristol
Tyler Reddick2 days ago

Is Tyler Reddick Worth Rostering At Bristol This Week?
Martin Truex Jr2 days ago

. Could Work As A Tournament Play At Bristol
Alexander Nylander2 days ago

Totals Three Points In Saturday's Win
Sebastian Aho2 days ago

Leads Hurricanes To Victory In Toronto
Owen Tippett2 days ago

Delivers Three Assists In High-Scoring Loss
Steven Stamkos2 days ago

Extends Scoring Streak With Four-Point Performance
Nick Schmaltz2 days ago

Records Three Assists In Win Over New Jersey
Artemi Panarin2 days ago

Racks Up Five Points In Saturday's Win
Brady Tkachuk2 days ago

Sinks Islanders With Third Hat Trick
Pannie Kianzad2 days ago

Drops To .500 In The UFC
Macy Chiasson2 days ago

Gets First-Round Submission Win
Isaac Dulgarian2 days ago

Suffers First Career Loss
Christian Rodriguez2 days ago

Overcomes Early Adversity At UFC Vegas 88
Tai Tuivasa2 days ago

Suffers Fourth Straight Loss
Marcin Tybura2 days ago

Gets First-Round Submission
Justin Fields2 days ago

Traded To The Steelers
NHL2 days ago

Lukas Reichel Will Be In The Lineup Sunday
Cale Makar2 days ago

A Game-Time Decision Saturday
Zach Parise2 days ago

Likely To Return Saturday
Michael Gallup3 days ago

Panthers Bringing In Michael Gallup For A Visit
Mike Williams3 days ago

Panthers To Host Mike Williams On A Visit
New York Jets3 days ago

Jets Expected To Sign Tyron Smith
AJ Dillon3 days ago

Officially Re-Signs With Packers
Van Jefferson3 days ago

Steelers Signing Van Jefferson
Jakobi Meyers3 days ago

Raiders Restructure Jakobi Meyers' Contract
Jimmy Garoppolo3 days ago

Rams Agree With Jimmy Garoppolo On One-Year Deal
Gerald Meerschaert3 days ago

To Fight In Main Event Of UFC Vegas 88
Bryan Barberena3 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Kennedy Nzechukwu3 days ago

Looks To Get Back In Win Column
Ovince Saint Preux3 days ago

Set For 27th UFC Appearance
Bryan Battle3 days ago

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ange Loosa3 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 88
San Francisco 49ers3 days ago

De'Vondre Campbell Heading To San Francisco
Dallas Cowboys3 days ago

Leighton Vander Esch Being Cut By Cowboys
Michael Gallup3 days ago

Cowboys Releasing Michael Gallup
Kenny Pickett3 days ago

Steelers Sending Kenny Pickett To Eagles
Pannie Kianzad5 days ago

Looking For Redemption At UFC Vegas 88
Macy Chiasson5 days ago

Ends Layoff At UFC Vegas 88
Isaac Dulgarian5 days ago

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 88
Christiaan Bezuidenhout5 days ago

Looking To Put It All Together At TPC Sawgrass
Eric Cole5 days ago

Rebounding Well In The Sunshine State
Brian Harman5 days ago

Playing The Dark-Horse Role Again At The Players
Matt Fitzpatrick5 days ago

Searching For Answers Thus Far In 2024
Sahith Theegala6 days ago

One Of The Tour's Fastest Risers To Start The New Year
Sam Burns6 days ago

Brings A Stellar Run Of Form Into TPC Sawgrass
PGA6 days ago

Sungjae Im Trending Up After Arnold Palmer Success
Jason Day6 days ago

Facing Iron Hiccup Heading To The Players
Tom Hoge6 days ago

Brings Strong Form And History To Sawgrass
Min Woo Lee6 days ago

Ready For Second Trip To Sawgrass
Will Zalatoris6 days ago

Working Toward A Win