HELP - NL Sleeper Closers??

[bc_bc]

What NL pitchers could be the next Gagne's and be surprise closers this year??

I'm in the second year of a keepers league, so i need some surprise guys

[EugeneStyles]

Mike Remlinger, Tim Spooneybarger. Curtis Leskanic might be back, finally. Scott Williamson already has the job in Cincy, but that may mean that he's already been taken.

[HYLRedSox]

Brandon Villafuerte, SD.
With Hoffman out after surgery, he should get some saves in the begining of the year at least. SHould come really cheap or without hassle.

[Big Dogs]

Tim Spooneybarger will have a better year than Brandon Villafuerte. Now with Nevin hurt. I think Williamson will surprise alot of perople this year. Cin will be a much improved team this year. Giriffy should be back, Dunn, Kearns better lineup and the Reds should win more games.
Williamson is the better of the bunch.

[EugeneStyles]

I don't know about Cincinnati being improved... In fact, I figure them to take 5th in the NL Central. Kearns probably won't do any better than last year (which was still a respectable .315 with 13 HR's in 103 games), Griffey is just waiting to get hurt again, and Dunn has, IMHO, peaked already. And Russel Branyan, who had 24 HR's last year is likely out for another 2 months.

Granted, Sean Casey should improve on his dismal season, but there's no way Boone will repeat his performance, and if he moves to second, the Reds will have to rely on Brandon Larsen at 3B, and he may not be healthy. Then at SS and C, they've pretty much got nothing, and I don't even want to talk about that dismal rotation, which didn't get much better for losing Elmer Dessens. Hopefully Danny Graves can pull the team out of the crapper with a starting role, but I'm not so sure about that.

On the other hand, the quality of the team has very little to do with the quality of the closer. Williamson should be good. But assuming he's gone, Spooneybarger at least has a *chance* of winning the closer role.

[Y's Guy]

Just to add a new name to the fray is Oliver Perez in SD. Can't remember where I read it but they are looking at him as a closer, too.

There are no Eric Gagne storys this season.

[Captain Crash]

F.Y.I. The Pads are not looking at Oliver Perez as closer this season, and never were. The article you read was talk from the manager and G.M. that Perez would be well-suited as a closer. He is preparing for a spot in the starting rotation. However, that doesn't mean he won't be closer. Just an F.Y.I.

[Y's Guy]

Thanks Captain. I kind of like Ollie as a starter.

[3Ks]

Since the Padres won't win many games this year with Nevin out now, Brandon Villafuerte is a bad pick. Take a look at Billy Wagner on the Astros. He's young and building on the success of the last couple years.

[jonnyblack]

if b-wag is a sleeper, then i want to join your league. I have him as my number one closer in my pre-ranks.