NL Closer Report: May 21

Strong Performers

Jonathan Broxton | Los Angeles Dodgers
The Comments: Broxton currently features a ridiculous K/BB rate of 12.00. With just one save to his credit on the year, as of May 7, Broxton has now reeled off a string of seven straight saves, including four in the past week. Any hope of acquiring him while his value was “low” is now gone.

Heath Bell | San Diego Padres
The Comments: Despite two blown saves on the year, Bell is third in the league with 11 late-game stops and his ERA currently sits at 1.00. His 11.50 K/9 rate is also significantly above his career strikeout rate. If San Diego keeps playing well, Bell could once again save 40 games.

Carlos Marmol | Chicago Cubs
The Comments: Batters are soon going to be awarded “I’d didn’t K against Marmol” pins for when they manage to either walk (5.23 BB/9) or make some sort of contact against him. The Cubs closer currently has a strikeout rate of 17.42 K/9, leaving his owners giddy. Unfortunately, he only has seven saves to his credit. Interestingly, when batters do make contact against Marmol, they tend to hit him hard (31.3 LD%).

Ryan Franklin | St. Louis Cardinals
The Comments: Franklin is the antithesis of Carlos Marmol. The veteran right-hander has a number of lousy rates but he’s been successful in 10 of 11 opportunities this season. The right-hander appeared in four games this past week and was 3-for-3 in saves. It’s amazing what can happen when you can throw strikes and get a head of batters.

Matt Capps | Washington Nationals
The Comments: Despite the recent promotion of future closer Drew Storen, incumbent Capps is showing no signs of slowing down. The veteran reliever continues to lead the Majors in saves with 15 and he has yet to blow an opportunity. Three of his five earned runs allowed on the season have come in non-save opportunities.

Matt Lindstrom | Houston Astros
The Comments: With six losses in the last seven games, there wasn’t a whole lot for Lindstrom to do this past week. He appeared in just one game (a non-save opportunity) but he struck out one and did not allow a run in one inning.

Steady Performers

Leo Nunez | Florida Marlins
The Comments: Nunez gave up a run in each of his two appearances this past week but he saved both games. Despite allowing four hits this past week, he’s still give up just nine base knocks in 17.1 innings on the year.

Brian Wilson | San Francisco Giants
The Comments: Wilson’s ERA has been a little high this year, but he has 10 saves in 11 tries, as well as a strikeout rate of 13.22 K/9. He saved three games this past week but gave up six hits and three walks in doing so.

Francisco Rodriguez | New York Mets
The Comments: With just 12 hits allowed in 20.2 innings, Rodriguez’ WHIP has taken a bit of a hit due to his 10 walks allowed. The right-hander sports a 2.18 ERA but the 4.50 FIP suggests he’s had some luck.

Francisco Cordero | Cincinnati Reds
The Comments: Cordero is second in the Majors in saves with 13, but he’s been far from dominant. The veteran closer has three blown saves, three losses, and a 3.60 ERA. He also has a 1.55 WHIP. Cordero went 2-for-3 in save opportunities this past week.

Billy Wagner | Atlanta Braves
The Comments: Wagner now has as many wins as saves (four) after picking up a shocking three wins this past week. Unfortunately, he’s still not having any save opportunities come his way and (on May 19) he blew his first opportunity since May 8.

Octavio Dotel | Pittsburgh Pirates
The Comments: Ever since his wife gave birth, Dotel has been a much improved player (coincidence or not). The right-hander has given up just one run in his last eight appearances and he saved three games this past week. If he keeps this up, his ERA is going to start looking a lot like his xFIP of 3.97.

Fallen on Hard Times

Chad Qualls | Arizona Diamondbacks
The Comments: There was a whole lot of shakin’ going on in the bullpen this past week for Arizona but Qualls remains as the club’s closer. He’s got an impressive 10.05 K/9 rate and his xFIP is just 3.17, but he’s been hurt by the base knock (23 in 14.1 innings). He went 1-for-2 in save opportunities this past week.

New to the Job

Jose Contreras | Philadelphia Phillies
The Comments: With both Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson on the DL, and the club unwilling to trust promising rookie Scott Mathieson with such an important role, the club is now leaning on converted starter Jose Contreras. He’s gone 2-for-2 in save opportunities this season and currently has a 12.56 K/9 rate. Contreras is a great pick up in all formats.

Manny Corpas | Colorado Rockies
The Comments: Corpas has taken over the closer’s role for now, but he’s been far from dominant this season. His strikeout rate is at 5.98 K/9 and his xFIP is 4.70. Although his fastball has been working well for him overall, his average fastball velocity is down to about 89 mph, which is more than 3 mph slower than it was in ’06.

Carlos Villanueva and Trevor Hoffman | Milwaukee Brewers
The Comments: Hey, perhaps the Brewers front office reads these reports. One week after suggesting Carlos Villanueva should be placed in the (at least temporary) closer’s role, he was given his first save opportunity of the year – and was successful. Hoffman, on the other hand, appeared in two games this past week and blew his only save opp. Monitor the situation in Milwaukee and jump on Villanueva if he’s announced as closer.