Which closer will be the first to lose his job?

[lifeform]

Heading into the season, I'm playing the familiar role of Closer Vulture.

All of the closers in my league are taken, as well as the guys who are expected to compete for a closer job.

So now, I'm looking at which establshed closer is likely to be the first to falter. The four situations I am watching closely are as follows:

Team - Closer (backup)

AZ - M. Mantei (J. Valverde)
TOR - A. Lopez (J. Speier)
BAL - J. Julio (B. Ryan)
CIN - D. Graves (R. Wagner)

Anyone else care to venture a guess as to who will get the axe first?

[Cornbread Maxwell]

Biddle, MacDougal, and Koch come to mind.

Tor situation is still up in the air - one day I hear its Speier, but the next I hear Lopez.

I also like Valverde to be a positive contributer even if he only vultures a handful of wins and saves.

[Mookie4ever]

fernando rodney lol

[kaz]

graves.

[metsfan05]

Koch and Nen

[Cornbread Maxwell]

fernando rodney lol

I think they have to start the yr as a closer before they qualify as losing the job.

But you are right Mooki - the fact that Detroit was going with Rodney was downright scary.

[inkubus]

Uh, Looper?

[Dice]

If Graves goes down, I will be very sad. He has looked good so far.

Danny Patterson will be the Tigers closer until Urbina is ready. Limited time only.

[lifeform]

graves.

If Graves is less-than-stellar, I wonder if Wagner has a legit chance to land the job. Wagner looks like a potential stud -- he was lights out in the brief time he pitched for the Reds last year -- but he's only 21. (Turns 22 in July.) For the sake of my fantasy team, I hope the job goes to Wagner.

[RedsRebirth]

Looper

then

Mesa