By Todd Farino, http://www.thecloserreport.com/

Let me start this post by saying that the Blue Jays are a mess across the board.  Their offense and bullpen lack defined role players and their starting pitching lacks experience.  That being said, they have a whole bunch of possible closers with the addition of Kevin Gregg.  I've been stating that I don't think Scott Downs or Jason Frasor make good choices at closer for the Blue Jays.  Not only are both pitchers in the final year of there contracts, but Downs is better as a lefty specialist and Frasor as the primary setup man.
So what statement were the Blue Jays making by signing Gregg?  It's says allot.  First, management isn't confident in the backend of the bullpen and didn't like the choices they had at closer.  Granted Gregg isn't the best closer and has knee issues, he will at very least compete for the job and help formulate and credible backend for the Blue Jays bullpen.
I believe at this point the job is Gregg's to lose.  The Blue Jay's got the man they wanted.  I veteran closer who if healthy can be a reliable 30 save closer.  The problem for fantasy owners is he will never get that many saves.  I  project 22 saves for Gregg and only 27 save opportunities for the Blue Jays as a whole.  The Blue Jays just lack offensive support to give them late inning leads.

Labels: kevin Gregg, Toronto

The True Guru Strategy: This year he has no WBC, so distractions. He also learned allot last season and ended 2009 strongly. He will get you 100+ Ks and and 40+ saves. Getting him in round nine or later would be a big steal for your team. Remember, there are only a handful of 100 strikeout closers.

After a slow start last season, Huston Street came on and developed into a top 10 closer for the Rockies. He had some injury issues near the end of the season or his numbers would have been even better. Street could easily make the top five by the end of 2010. The Rockies are a formidable team with a slew of young players. Reasons I like Street are simple.  He has a solid K/9, consistent, and he was born to close.  At 26, Street is in his prime and heatlhy.  Street makes a great #1 closer and he should have no problem.


The True Guru Strategy: Street is one of the highest value closers you can get. The NL West is notorious for tight games, so Street should have plenty of opportunities. If he stays healthy, Street will easily clear 40 saves. Currently his ADP is round 15. That is insane. He's a steal in the seventh round and a good take in the sixth. Wait as late as you can, but don't get burned.

Mariano Rivera is the Sandman, fact. You couldn't act for a more perfect closer. He is on a winning team and he really only needs one pitch to get outs. He's coming off a great season and he showed no sign of declining at age 39. I expect him to have another outstanding season in 2010. It will probably be the last dominating season for Rivera. He will open 2010 at the ripe age of 40 and decline is inevitable. Rivera makes a perfect closer to head up your fantasy bullpen.


The True Guru Strategy: Rivera is one of the best in the game and is a high-end #1 closer. Currently his ADP is sixth round, but I think it's a round too high for Rivera. Take him around the 7-8th round. Rivera turned 40 and could start declining at any time. He should have one more great year in him, but no matter how you look at he has risk.