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Top 10 Closers for 2011

1. Brian Wilson – Wilson last year lead MLB with 48 saves. The Giants have a very good rotation, and I don’t believe their offense is going to blow teams away, so he should get a lot of save ops this season. Wilson seems to go through rough patches during the season, but as a whole he has been a solid reliever for the past 3 season with 41, and 38 saves in ‘08 and ‘09.

2. Jonathan Papelbon – Papelbon had a rough season with 3.90 ERA, 8 BS and 7 loses. He still ended up with 37 saves. If he bounces back a little he could have another big season.

3. Neftali Feliz – This rookie had a very nice season taking over the closing duties for the Rangers. He had 71 k in 69.1 inn and that could get even better. At this point it is still possible that they move him to the rotation, but if he is back as the teams closer he should have a very nice season of around 40 saves and 90+ Ks.

4. Heath Bell – Heath had another nice season last year, and pointed out as the top fantasy reliever with 705 points. Pitching in PETCO most likely helped his numbers with only giving up 1 HR in his 70 innings pitched. Bell should have another nice season, with maybe between 35-40 saves. I believe SD as a team will take a step back this year after trading away Adrian Gonzalez to Boston this offseason.

5. Joakim Soria – Joakim is a very good closer on a very bad team, but bad teams still win about 60 games, and they don’t win them by a lot. Soria should have another nice season despite the terrible Royals. Last year he set a career high 43 saves, and he should be able to be close to that again this season.If he gets traded to a good team and stays the closer he could have a great season.

6. Carlos Marmol – Marmol finally got the job as the Cubs closer last year. He recorded 38 saves with 138 K in 77.2 IP. With a fantastic 16 K/9 rate Marmol has a great skills, but he could use some improvement as he also walked 52 batters last year. I like that Marmol with some improvement in his control could be an elite closer.

7. Jose Valverde – Papa Grande had a great first half last year. Before the all-star game he had a line of 0.92ERA, 19 saves. His post all star break was not very good, 6.38 ERA 7 saves. I believe with the improvements the Tigers have made to the offense in the offseason, he should be able to get over 30 saves this year.

8. Mariano Rivera – Probably the best closer ever, at 40 years old Mo is not as unhittable as he once was. Last year he had 5 blown saves which is more than any of the previous 5 seasons. He should still get over 30 saves and be a solid closer for any fantasy team.

9. John Axord – Axford had a nice season last year for the Brewers getting 24 saves. He scored 455 points last year and with the retirement of Trevor Hoffman he is the teams undisputied closer coming into 2011. The Brewers have added Grienke in the offseason which will help the starting rotation.

10. Brad Lidge – Lidge has what could be one of the greatest rotations of all time in front of him, and a very good offense as well. He should be in line for a lot of save ops. He can be a scary closer for your fantasy team, after going 41-0 in save ops in 08, he blew 11 saves in 09. Last season he had 27 saves with 5 blown saves. He could have a very good season with this team.