Brad Lidge

[Iconoclastic]

I'm loving this no closers till the 8th round business.

That means guys like Rivera, K-Rod, Lidge and a healthy Gagne are not recognised as Top 80 picks by many.

If you honestly believe that then you also don't take SP until to the mid-rounds either.

Sure the top closers have top 80 value. But why take them in the 5th round when you can get slightly lower valued guys, maybe 7th round value, on waivers or the last few picks of the draft (Turnbow, Timlin, Wickman, you name it). In the meantime with those 5-7th round picks you gain much more from filling out your offense or starting pitching than you lose from going from the top tier closers to the next tier.

[wrveres]

I don't think the WS changes anything for me ...
I'll probably stay away from Konerko and Dye since they may be slightly overrated, but Lidge will be fine for next season ..

Mitch Williams wasn't very good anyways, he just had a good season that year. His ratios were horrible for a closer, and if I remember right, didn't he lose it after bieng sent to Houston?

anyways, 40 saves, excellent ratios and 100 k's seems about round 5 or 6 territory to me.

[fastek24]

Thanks for the insightful replies. More then anything else it points out the philosophy about picking any closer early. I have to say that I am of the school that says not to pick a closer early.By nature they carry all kinds of issues both on and off the field, they are even more prone to injury then starters andthey are the most unpredictable wonder how many were buying into Danny Kolb and Gagne this year.I'd rather spend an early pick on a reliable if not stud starter and take my chances that a late,late middle reliever hits the jackpot.

Of course there is always luck in the game but I think banking on any closer increases it.If someone had bet you Dusty Hermanson or Todd Jones would help you more then Gagne this year you'd have bet "dollars to doughnuts."

In no other position is the waiver wire so valuble early on and during the season.That's where you got Street this year.Let me pose this question would you ever make a closer a "keeper" I would find it hard not to keep Rivera but am hard pressed to think of any one else.What do you think?

[bigh0rt]

I wouldn't take any Closer until Round 8 or 9, regardless of who they are.

[giants8307]

I'm loving this no closers till the 8th round business.

That means guys like Rivera, K-Rod, Lidge and a healthy Gagne are not recognised as Top 80 picks by many.

If you honestly believe that then you also don't take SP until to the mid-rounds either.

Sure the top closers have top 80 value. But why take them in the 5th round when you can get slightly lower valued guys, maybe 7th round value, on waivers or the last few picks of the draft (Turnbow, Timlin, Wickman, you name it). In the meantime with those 5-7th round picks you gain much more from filling out your offense or starting pitching than you lose from going from the top tier closers to the next tier.

I tried that. I ended up getting takatsu/dotel/percival. I'm getting krod/lidge next year.

[baseball6791]

I don't think the WS changes anything for me ...
I'll probably stay away from Konerko and Dye since they may be slightly overrated, but Lidge will be fine for next season ..

Mitch Williams wasn't very good anyways, he just had a good season that year. His ratios were horrible for a closer, and if I remember right, didn't he lose it after bieng sent to Houston?

anyways, 40 saves, excellent ratios and 100 k's seems about round 5 or 6 territory to me.

I agree with wrveres here, and on the topic of when to take closers here is what I think. There are a handful of top teir guys who I would take around round 5, Lidge, K-Rod, Nathan, Rivera, probably Cordero now, maybe Gagne (although I wouldn't risk him this year), because they are solid closers, who barring a MAJOR meltdown have a rock solid hold on the job, will put up 40+ saves with good ratios and K's. After that top teir of guys, you are better off waiting to grab the next hot thing (i.e. Turnbow) then trying to grab mid-level guys in rounds 8-12 who could end up being worthless. Usually (depending on league size/settings/etc.) I try to grab one of the top guys and tehn unless a great bargin comes up later, be a hawk on the W.W and make sure to grab up what is available.

[prodpaul]

I have Lidge on one of my keeper leagues and I plan on Keeping him. I have no worries with him.

[Music2004Man]

Sorry man, I'm from Philly too and the Carter HR killed me but I can't see the comparison to Williams. Mitch isn't anywhere near Lidge's league. Lidge will be fine next year and I think he falls somewhere between the 3 and 7th closer picked depending on your preference. I said that he would be drafted between the 5th and 9th rounds.

[cordscords]

I'm loving this no closers till the 8th round business.

That means guys like Rivera, K-Rod, Lidge and a healthy Gagne are not recognised as Top 80 picks by many.

If you honestly believe that then you also don't take SP until to the mid-rounds either.

Sure the top closers have top 80 value. But why take them in the 5th round when you can get slightly lower valued guys, maybe 7th round value, on waivers or the last few picks of the draft (Turnbow, Timlin, Wickman, you name it). In the meantime with those 5-7th round picks you gain much more from filling out your offense or starting pitching than you lose from going from the top tier closers to the next tier.

I tried that. I ended up getting takatsu/dotel/percival. I'm getting krod/lidge next year.

That's exactly what can come back to haunt you. I like to have 1 premier closer, and then try and grab the Beaz's of the fantasy world.

As for Lidge, round 5-8. 6th would be ideal.

[Mookie4ever]

I would definitely take him in rounds 4 or 5. It doesn't make sense to have a rule not to take a closer before round 8. There are very few closer jobs out there and even fewer reliable closers. The good ones are pure gold.

I would take Lidge, Nathan or Mariano if they were available in round 5.