Sep 9, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jake McGee (57) pitches against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. The Rays defeated the Yankees 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Rays will be without their starting closer for the first month and a half of the 2015 season. Jake McGee had surgery to remove a bone in his left elbow in December. When he returns, he should take over the closer role and be a top-15 player. As you prepare for your draft, McGee will fall far, making him a nice sleeper option in standard leagues.
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McGee took over the closer role in June when Grant Balfour was removed from the role. In a short amount of time, he had that spot locked up. Despite blowing four saves in 23 attempts, he kept his ERA and WHIP down, which is wanted by all fantasy owners. In 2014, he finished with 19 saves, 90 strikeouts, a 1.89 ERA and .897 WHIP in 73 games.
Fantasy owners should want a closer who can provide good numbers across all the pitching categories. Fernando Rodney had the most saves with 48, but also had a 2.85 ERA. Greg Holland was the No. 1 closer on ESPN’s Player Rater with 46 saves, 1.61 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Which player would you rather have? That’s what I thought.
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McGee has been throwing from 105 feet for the past couple of days. His progress looks good, but a late-April, mid-May return is the target. As a result, Grant Balfour is the likely replacement until Mcgee returns. I would leave Balfour alone when looking for a No. 2 or 3 closer.
As a result of the injury, McGee’s draft stock sharply falls. He will likely be drafted between Rounds 18 and 20. He could end up performing like a top-10 reliever. However, with the lost time and potential competition among teammates, he will likely be a No. 2 closer in a standard mixed league.
As a No. 2 closer, using a 20th-round pick on McGee is excellent value.