Closer drafting strategies (1 Viewer)

[FlapJacks]

The mantra: don't overpay for closers

I currently play in a 10 team 22 man roster h2h league.

In the past I've played the waiver wire for closers, but the drawback is using up to 4 maybe 5 roster spots trying to dominate 1 category. Most teams have 3 closers, and there's ususally some good ones. Limiting yourslef to 2-3 mediocre closers will lose you the category most weeks.

My thought is that if if could two topnotch closers early (rounds4-6), I might be able to carry the category most weeks while saving some scare roster space.

I did this last year, with Paps as a keeper and BJ Ryan in the late 5th.

Ryan gets hurts, so I wind up using Accardo, Capps and Lidge, so it didn't work out so well. Should I try again?

 

[Knightro]

there is roughly a 35-40% turnover on closer jobs every year. If you are going to spend a pick in the top 8 rounds on one, it better be a damn good one. I've been grabbing Matt Capps in just about every draft in round 9 or later. Safe skill set, nobody there to push him for the job. You're better off letting someone else pay for Pap or Rivera and save money for your offense.

 

[boom king]

it really depends on how active you are, and how on top of things you are.

 

[Spartans Rule]

I don't usually play H2H leagues, but in the past when I have I've always valued top closers extremely highly.

The reason is that depending on your league's IP minimum, you can potentially ignore starting pitching and let your closers and maybe a couple non-closing relievers with great ratios (who could also be closers-in-waiting) carry you in ERA and WHIP each week.

I'll usually draft some SP with high upside really late and if I hit on 2 or 3 of them I'll play a more normal strategy, but if not, punting W and K is pretty viable in H2H, especially if you are loaded on offense and in three pitching categories.