Fantasy Closer Battles: Preseason Edition
Here's a look at the top closer battles entering the 2016 season from a fantasy perspective:
Toronto Blue Jays
Candidates: Roberto Osuna, Drew Storen
The Skinny: The Blue Jays turned their closer job into a two-man race this offseason, acquiring Storen from the Washington Nationals in exchange for OF Ben Revere. Storen has stopper experience - racking up 95 saves with the Nationals - and is expected to push Osuna hard for the ninth-inning role, assuming Osuna remains in the bullpen.
Draft Outlook: Many fantasy owners may consider the role Osuna's to lose - but it may be wiser to wait for Storen, who at this point is being drafted several rounds after the incumbent. At worst, owners land a high-usage setup man with a sensational rate. At best: a cheap closer with the potential for 30+ saves on a powerhouse Blue Jays team.
Atlanta Braves
Candidates: Arodys Vizcaino, Jason Grilli
The Skinny: The job clearly belongs to Vizcaino entering the season, with Grilli (Achilles tendon) only being added to the 40-man roster in November and still a long shot to be ready in time for Opening Day. Vizcaino was sensational in a late-season audition with the Braves, compiling nine saves to go along with a 1.60 ERA and a 9.9 K/9 rate.
Draft Outlook: Vizcaino can be had at the back end of most 10- or 12-team mixed leagues, and is a borderline RP1 in NL-only formats. Grilli isn't worth drafting, but keep an eye on him; he has extensive closing experience, and the Braves might make him the first option to replace Vizcaino if the 25-year-old falters at some point.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Candidates: Brad Ziegler, Tyler Clippard
The Skinny: Zeigler's perch got much shakier after the Diamondbacks signed Clippard to a two-year deal in early February. Ziegler was surprisingly good last season (career-best 30 saves, 1.85 ERA) but he doesn't fit the power-arm mold of the majority of ninth-inning pitchers. Clippard sure does, and was in the running to unseat Jonathan Papelbon in Washington once upon a time.
Draft Outlook: Ziegler is going late in the majority of mixed drafts as a desperation saves option. It's doubtful the Diamondbacks are paying Clippard in excess of $12 million through 2017 to have him be the eighth-inning opening act to a 35-year-old coming off his best-ever season. Snag Clippard as a late pick; he should see plenty of save chances in Arizona.
Milwaukee Brewers
Candidates: Jeremy Jeffress, Will Smith
The Skinny: With incumbent closer Francisco Rodriguez off to Detroit, Jeffress and Smith are the two top options to take over ninth-inning duties. Jeffress was a workhorse last season, posting a 2.65 ERA and an 8.9 K/9 over 68 innings. Smith was no slouch himself, going 7-2 with a 2.70 ERA and a whopping 12/9 K/9 over 63 1/3 innings.
Draft Outlook: Smith has a significantly higher ADP at the moment, which seems about right; his strikeout rate is much better, and he has more of a major-league pedigree. Target him in the latter stages of your draft. As for Jeffress, he'll be a solid reliever with the first shot at saves should Smith falter or get hurt. Keep an eye on him, but don't draft him.