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JB’s Fantasy Baseball Closer Strategy: What do you do now?

By Justin Buckhanan

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 11: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during game two of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 11, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 11: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during game two of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 11, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 27: Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws a pitch during an exhibition MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 27, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 27: Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws a pitch during an exhibition MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 27, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Kenley Jansen: Not much needs to be said here and longevity as a top closer gives him the edge. Add in the fact that the Dodgers will win a lot of games and Jansen is the top dog.

2. Edwin Diaz: Dynamic flame thrower who will be hard pressed to get as many saves as last year but closing for a good team that will give him many chances.

3. Roberto Osuna: Better closer than person who will have a abundance of opportunities playing for arguably the best team in baseball. Some experts ranked Osuna as the best closer available.

4. Blake Treinen: Still fairly new to closing, but take one look at his 97 MPH sinker and you’ll see just how filthy he really is. The A’s are a much better team than people think, so the saves will be there.

5. Aroldis Chapman: He’s only 31, but by closer standards, he’s an oldie but goody. He has lost a little bit in both velocity and command but is still good enough to be top five. There are also some health concerns, but Chapman is clearly the main guy as long as he’s healthy and we’re talking about the Yankees here.

6. Brand Hand: Doesn’t overwhelm you like some of the others but is still a solid reliable closer is his own right. The Indians made a big commitment with Hand by giving up catcher Francisco Mejia to get him and letting Andrew Miller and Cody Allen walk in the process.

7. Felipe Vasquez: 100 MPH fastball from the left side reminds some of a younger Chapman. The only concern here is what Pittsburgh has done in the past by trading or letting go of closers and then replacing them. The Pirates have the likes of Nick Burdi waiting for a chance.

8. Sean Doolittle: Very good closer who is also left handed. Health is really the only issue here, but it’s nearly an annual concern for Doolittle. However, the Nationals are trying to compete and doing it without a great overall bullpen. Doolittle has little in the way of a challenger.