2011 CLOSERS THREAD

[Niffoc4]

dropping this in the end of the 2011 closers thread.
who are the expected closers for 2012?


Baltimore - Kevin Gregg
Chicago - Matt Thornton?
Oakland - Grant Balfour? Brian Fuentes?
St. Louis - Jason Motte?
Houston - Brandon Lyon? Wilton Lopez?
Los Angeles - Javy Guerra? Kenley Jansen?

On this group,
Baltimore- Jim Johnson is said to be the closer (not Kevin Gregg)
CWS- Thornton could be the guy, but Jesse Crain and Addison Reed will also compete.
Oakland- add Joey Devine and Fautino De Los Santos to the mix. If healthy, they're both better than Fuentes or Balfour
St. Louis- Yes Jason Motte
Houston- David Carpenter is another possibility. He had a lot of K's last year, and just needs some control
LAD- I think its Javy Guerra's job as long as he does well. Jansen is likely the better pitcher though.

[converge241]

Thornton could likely be traded, keeps popping up as moved and they are rebuilding (not disagreeing with above if hes still there he has to be given the job or shot)

The Oakland one is the toughest to pick. Balfours k rates going down Devine health Fuentes decline etc etc but all 4 mentioned are in the mix. I took Devine recently in NFBC slow draft as it got later and all closers were gone but thats a dart throw

Everyone feels that Jansen is better but yes Guerra has the job for now. Have to imagine the rope is not long considering whos behind him

Cordero has to pray Angels sign him to close, thats really his only shot to avoid setting up somewhere and its not a lock by any means