Can I live with these closers?

[etex211]

18 team 5x5 roto. Our draft is done in four sections of 5-7 rounds each. For each draft section, we submit a player list to the commissioner and he conducts the draft based on those lists.

Everyone in this league places a lot of value on closers. I didn't get any of the top closers in the early rounds of the draft, so I loaded up my player list for rounds 11-17 with all of the remaining closers and closer-in-waiting types. I wound up with the following guys:

Octavio Dotel
Matt Lindstrom
Matt Thornton

Dotel has the job in Pittsburgh (ugh) if he can stay healthy. Lindstrom may or may not have the job in Houston. Thornton is waiting for Jenks to fail or get hurt.

Here are the other pitchers on my staff:

Greinke
Verlander
Lackey
Cahill
Blackburn
1 P and 1 P/DH to be drafted in the final six rounds.

I am not trying to win saves in my league. I will be more than happy to finish mid-pack. Should I be good to go, or should I try to make a trade?

All of the closer candidates behind Nathan in Minnesota are still available. Does anybody like one of those guys over the others?

It sure was nice having Brian Wilson as a 22nd round keeper the past two years. [sigh]

[The Artful Dodger]

Pretty much, you're on thin ice with the RP you have. However, odds are in an 18-teamer, you could have a few teams who struggle to keep up in saves too.

It seems like Rauch is the guy in Minnesota unless he fails or if they sign a reliever with more of a closing track record to go on (i.e. Heath Bell). He's a must at this point.

[sigriffey]

I agree -- Rauch is worth a shot. I would say you may be lower third in your league this those guys, but Rauch may get you in the middle of the pack.

Help me out?

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=403904

[etex211]

Drew Storen still hasn't been drafted. Does anybody think he is worth a late round pick?

If he starts the season in the minors, I can stash him and pick up a free agent pitcher during the second week of the season.

Storen should be a good late round keeper for 2011 and 2012.

Good plan?

[BSbludolf]

Don't sweat closers, they change so much from year to year. Rauch is a possibility but I think Liriano will become the close as the twins realize he can't throw that slider with consistency as a starter and stay healthy. More saves will become available during the season so you'll be fine. As I've said before it's a long season

[Seanyfever]

Rauch is good, I agree. If they are around, I still like SD closers in waiting... Plus they can help quite well with other areas even not as closers. Bell is rumoured to go this year, and it is evident already that discussions are ongoing. E.g., Minn rumour