For 19 years, the bullpen doors would swing open and Mariano Rivera would run out onto the field at Yankee Stadium as fans screams and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” took over The Bronx.
If you were a fantasy owner when that song began to play, you knew more often than not it was good news for your team. You knew you could rely on Mo to get the job done.
Nowadays, the closer position is a constant revolving door — one day the job belongs to the savvy vet, but the next day it could go to the unheralded flame-throwing youngster.
Aroldis Chapman (47.0 average draft position), Craig Kimbrel (49.3) and Greg Holland (58.8) are the top three closers, and fantasy players are paying for them.
If those three are too rich for your blood, you can be patient and grab other elite options likes the Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen (90.0), Pittsburgh’s Mark Melancon (94.0) and the Yankees’ Dellin Betances (95.3) a few rounds later. But, wait, there’s more (thanks, infomercials).
David Robertson (83.8) bolted The Bronx for Chicago after admirably taking over for a legend. He converted 39 of his 44 save attempts, striking out 96 batters in 64 1/3 innings.
Robertson should be drafted as another elite option. Why? Well, as Frank Sinatra once said of New York: “If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere.” It will hold true for the new White Sox closer.
Looking for a 26-year-old stud closer with a mid-90s fastball? Look no further than Cleveland’s Cody Allen(115.8), who saved 24 games last season and struck out 91 (32.6 percent of the batters he faced). Allen is on a young team that won 85 games last year and has no competition for his spot. Perfect mid-round pick.
Some may be scared off by Trevor Rosenthal’s (96.2) walk rate going from 2.4 per nine innings in 2013 to 5.4 last season, but the hard-throwing Cardinals righty still collected 45 saves in 51 attempts and struck out 87. Roto Files believes he is a top-10 option.
Santiago Casilla (193.5) can provide some solid late-round fantasy value, but be wary of the fact he doesn’t strike out a ton of hitters (despite employing a 94-mph fastball), Giants manager Bruce Bochy often uses a closer-by-committee strategy and the team re-signed Sergio Romo (288.8), who saved 75 games for San Francisco from 2012-14.
If you’re a fan of comeback stories, Washington’s Drew Storen (133.8) likely will catch your eye. He lost the closer job in 2012 after blowing a save in an elimination playoff game, but he stole the job from Rafael Soriano last season.
He has the ability, as he proved in 2011 (43 saves), and a great team around him, so draft him with confidence.
If, for some reason, you decide to gamble on 40-year-old Tiger Joe Nathan (202.3), who was a mess last season with a 4.81 ERA and 1.53 WHIP despite saving 35 games, make sure you have Joakim Soria (323.4) nearby.
As long as the upgraded Padres play well, Joaquin Benoit (171.5) could be a great late-round steal.
With Sean Doolittle (188.0) sidelined by a shoulder injury to start the season, Tyler Clippard (241.5), who collected 32 saves in 37 attempts in 2011 for the Nationals, likely is to pick up some of the A’s save opportunities. He could be worth a late-round flier, but it’s more likely his value will come in AL-only leagues.
Miami’s Steve Cishek (123.2), Seattle’s Fernando Rodney (131.0), Baltimore’s Zach Britton (132.2) and Minnesota’s Glen Perkins (143.2) offer great mid-round value.
Don’t overpay for Milwaukee’s Francisco Rodriguez (193.7) based on last year’s success. Keep an eye on the Mets’ closing situation, as Jenrry Mejia (230.8) could become a late-round steal.
Post Roto Files columnist Jarad Wilk and the Fantasy Sports Network’s Nando Di Fino rank catchers and relievers.
Next week: outfielders (Part 1; Part 2)
Catchers (TM) Wilk Nando
Buster Posey (SF) 1 1
Jonathan Lucroy (Mil) 2 2
Carlos Santana (Cle) 3 4
Yan Gomes (Cle) 4 3
Evan Gattis (Hou) 5 5
Devin Mesoraco (Cin) 7 6
Brian McCann (NYY) 6 8
Salvador Perez (KC) 8 7
Yadier Molina (StL) 10 10
Wilin Rosario (Col) 9 12
Wilson Ramos (Was) 13 9
Travis d’Arnaud (NYM) 11 11
Matt Wieters (Bal) 12 13
Russell Martin (Tor) 14 15
Miguel Montero (CHC) 15 16
Mike Zunino (Sea) 18 14
Jason Castro (Hou) 16 17
Yasmani Grandal (LAD) 17 18
John Jaso (Oak) 19 19
Francisco Cervelli (Pit) 20 21
Derek Norris (SD) 21
NickHundley (Col) 20
Closers (TM) Wilk Nando
Aroldis Chapman (Cin) 1 1
Greg Holland (KC) 2 2
Craig Kimbrel (Atl) 3 3
Dellin Betances (NYY) 5 5
Mark Melancon (Pit) 6 4
David Robertson (CHW) 4 7
Trevor Rosenthal (StL) 7 6
Cody Allen (Cle) 8 9
Drew Storen (Was) 10 8
Kenley Jansen (LAD) 9 10
Francisco Rodriguez (Mil) 13 12
Steve Cishek (Mia) 11 16
Zach Britton (Bal) 16 11
Koji Uehara (Bos) 12 15
Huston Street (LAA) 15 13
Glen Perkins (Min) 14 14
Joaquin Benoit (SD) 18 17
Fernando Rodney (Sea) 17 19
Jonathan Papelbon (Phi) 19 18
Hector Rondon (CHC) 20 21
Santiago Casilla (SF) 21 20