Closer Updates: Feliz, Braves, Rays

With Spring Training right around the corner, we’re starting to hear some rumblings about who will and who won’t be in line for save opportunities, at least in the early part of the season. Here’s the latest…

Feliz to compete for a rotation spot

The incomparable Craig Calcaterra passed along a quote from Rangers Asst. GM Thad Levine on a recent radio show, where he acknowledged that Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz will get a chance to compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training. The Rangers lack an obvious closer candidate should Feliz actually win a starting job now that Frank Francisco is suiting up the Blue Jays. I expect the 21-year-old to assume ninth inning duty once the season begins (Levine said Feliz would have to be “awful impressive” to move to the rotation), but a closer-by-committee approach is very possible if he’s in the rotation. Darren O’Day, Mark Lowe, Alexi Ogando, Darren Oliver, Arthur Rhodes … all those guys could see save opps in that case.

Dual closers possible in Atlanta

Two years ago, Bobby Cox used both righty Rafael Soriano and lefty Mike Gonzalez in save opportunities depending on the matchups (i.e. Gonzalez was used against the tough lefties regardless of inning), and it sounds like new manager Fredi Gonzalez might go that route himself. Dave O’Brien hears from the skipper that a closer tandem of righty Craig Kimbrel and lefty Jonny Venters is a legitimate possibility going into the new year, and it’s a fantastic strategy that should be applauded. In terms of fantasy, it sucks. Luckily both Kimbrel and Venters are high strikeout pitchers that bring some value beyond saves, though if they’re sharing save opps, you’d have to carry two pitchers to get one team’s saves.

Keep an eye on this one through camp and early in the season. If one of the two starts to falter or get hurt, the other is likely to see the lion’s share of the save chances.

Rays appear headed towards closer-by-committee

A few weeks ago I looked at the various closer candidates on the Rays’ roster, figuring that Kyle Farnsworth is the front-runner for save opportunities at the moment. Marc Topkin talked to manager Joe Maddon, who indicated that a closer-by-committee approach is a very real possibility. This is another situation to keep an eye on throughout camp and early in the season, someone could step up or fall back rather quickly. Until I see evidence pointing to the contrary, I’m leaning Farnsworth. Actually, I’m leaning towards not drafting any of them for the time being.

Here’s where you can submit fan projections for Feliz, Kimbrel, and Venters.