Fantasy Baseball:

PITCHERS (RP) IN NEW PLACES VOL. I

 

By Muntradamus

BEAST DOME NATION.

Pitchers in New Places Vol. I focuses on the Relief Pitcher movement around the Major League.  I am only looking at the 7th-8th-9th INN relievers that will make a fantasy difference. *For the record, I know Brandon League was traded to the Dodgers last season, but I am going over all new Closer situations.  Even if it’s a promotion.

Still much more Fantasy Baseball information to come to get ready for the 2013 Fantasy Baseball Season.

 

HITTERS IN NEW PLACES VOL. I

HITTERS IN NEW PLACES VOL. II

 

GET READY FOR V.I.P. FIND THE PACKAGE RIGHT FOR YOU

 

 

PITCHERS IN NEW PLACES VOL. I

 

 

JOEL HANRAHAN/KOJI UEHARA – BOS

Andrew Bailey was a train wreck to end what was a terrible season overall.  He was out for the entire first half of the season with an arm injury, and then finished out 2012 with an ERA of 7.04 in his last 10 appearances.  He remains a relief pitcher on the Red Sox.

Which has led the Red Sox to bring in Joel Hanrahan who is one of the best closer’s in Baseball.  Joel dominated with 76 Saves in his last two seasons with Pittsburgh.  He is one of the most knock down guys to depend on as he only blew 8 games during that spree.

Koji will be the setup man, and many thought he should have closed in Baltimore when he was over there.  Instead he went to Texas and became one of the best setup men in the American League.  He is taking a similar role, and players that like are the ones who dominate.

 

BRUCE RONDON – DET

The Tigers no longer have Jose Valverde, so it will be Bruce Rondon and veteran mediocre relief pitchers like Octavoio Dotel and Phil Coke.  Bruce has shown unhittable stuff at times, he had a .831 ERA in AA last season.  The Tigers are desperate for anything, and if Bruce can show he owns the job.  Then the job will be his this season and long-term.

Last thing the Tigers want is to have Octavio Dotel closing out playoff games, and Phil Coke is a hittable lefty pitcher.

This could all mean nothing if Valverde goes to Miami.  Which is the most possible option at this point.

 

JOSE VERAS – HOU

Last season Jose Veras had a chance to sneak up on a closer job with the Brewers.  K-Rod pitched so bad that everybody call him Francisco Rodriguez again.  Jon Axford had a terrible season and made the switch between closer/setup man multiple times throughout the year.

Jose never stood out from a pack of one of the worst bullpens in the NL, at least most disappointing.  And now he is a closer for a team that never finds themselves in save situations.  You could probably not name the last 5 closers for the Astros if you tried.

 

RYAN MADSON – LAA

Madson makes one of the quieter LA Angel moves, but it is a huge splash in the Fantasy Baseball world.  Madson who closed out for the Phillies last year after Brad Lidge was a Blown Save ready to happen each apperance.  Now gets to close out for the bet team in the American League.

The Angels make no name pitchers into top notch #1 RPs.  Now they have one that actually has some name recognition coming into the job.  Ernesto Frieri still has a job with the Angels as a setup man.  One of the best in the American League.

 

JOAKIM SORIA – TEX

Joakim Noah’s brother (not really his brother) is now pitching for the Texas Rangers.  Only a few years removed from being one of the Top 10 Closer’s in Fantasy Baseball.  Joakim is going into Texas knowing he is the clear setup man for Joe Nathan, who is no danger of losing that job.

Joakim does have some deep league appeal, but right now his arm is not near 100% so there is no reason to think of him come All-Star Break.  They will save him until they really need him, the playoffs.

 

JONATHAN BROXTON – CIN

Broxton was with the Reds last season and filled in when Aroldis Chapman had arm fatigue late in the year as the team closer.  Broxton impressed the Reds so much they gave him a 3 Year – $21 Million extension ($7 Mil/year) to be the full-time closer. Aroldis is going to transition back into being a starter pitcher, where his potential is unlimited.

Broxton will have a great season, and the Dodgers were crazy to give up so quick in hindsight.

 

BRANDON LEAGUE – LAD

League who saved 37 Games in 2011 with Seattle was looking like a complete bust in 2012.  So the Mariners shipped him out to the Dodgers in a 3 way trade.  Dodgers gave up a couple minor league prospects that are a year away.

League was able to not only impress the Dodgers, but he earned a 3 Year – $33.5 Million extension ($11.16 Mil/year) and the title as the teams Closer.

Even with Kenley Jansen who was regarded to as one of the best Fantasy Closer’s in the NL last season will take a backseat to League in 2013.  Jansen will be a setup man with Matt Gurrier.

 

JASON GRILLI – PIT

Grilli is the new closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates with Joel Hanrahan in Boston.  Many of you do not know who Grilli is, but this all you need to see.

58 INN. 90 Ks. 2.91 ERA. 1.14 WHIP.

He will be the type of closer that if he keep the job, you have yourself one of the best K machine guys at the position   Of course with the added pressure and limited opportunities.  Jason could see smaller numbers.  But if Pittsburgh continues it’s winning ways from 2012, which many expect will happen.  Grilli is a HUGE fantasy sleeper.

 

RAFAEL SORIANO – WAS

When Mariano Rivera went down last season, Rafael Soriano licked his chops knowing that he was put in the best showcase situation in baseball.  He delivered with 42 Saves to earn a 2 Year – $28 Million ($14 Mil/year).  The National still have Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard, but they will both give way to the veteran who should be one of the top closers once again.

Soriano will find his way to around 40+ Saves and could easily become your favorite closer that you own.  And having players that get you excited is what Fantasy Baseball is all about.

 

Muntradamus is a Fantasy Sports Expert who specializes in Fantasy Football/Baseball/Basketball. He is currently in his first season as a Pro on FantasyPros where he is the only expert to have Adam Dunn, Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, Ian Desmond, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Wilin Rosario in his top 20 at each position. Muntradamus not only leads many to championships with his great advice, and outlooks into the future. He is also consistently on the top of leaderboards in DraftStreet. He was also the #1 Fantasy Football Expert of IDP & Overall Rankings, first time in Fantasy Sports History.  To check his Preseason Fantasy Football Rankings Click Here. He also won a 1,000 person tournament in Fantasy Football to qualify for a trip to Vegas to play for $500,000 in Prizes.