The Baseball Chick

My last post highlighted some fantasy baseball hitters to target on the waiver wire for the 2^nd half of the 2010 Major League Baseball season. Now I wanted to spotlight some starting pitchers that are available in the majority of fantasy baseball leagues.

Edinson Volquez – SP – Reds – 6 inn, 1 win, 1.5 era, 0.83 whip, 9 k’s

Normally fantasy baseball owners can be forgiven for losing track of a pitcher that had Tommy John surgery last season and was scheduled to miss the entire first half of the 2010 season. However, we were all reminded of Volquez when he was suspended for 50 games for PEDs (that he was able to serve during his rehab, which makes me wonder why all pitchers with significant injuries don’t just do steroids to come back faster at least one time since neither they nor the team gets penalized, but I digress). Any questions about how he would come back were answered in his first start in which he looked as dominant as ever. He is sure to have some wild games, but his strikeout potential and win potential make him well worth any risk.

Randy Wells – SP –Cubs – 112.3 inn, 4 wins, 4.32 era, 1.38 whip, 88 k’s

After a tremendous rookie season in 2009, a lot of fantasy owners targeted Wells as their 3^rd or 4^th starter. These same owners quickly regretted their decision after a miserable start to 2010 and quickly cut Wells loose. In a lot of cases this would have been the smart move, but not with Wells. On the surface his numbers were horrible and maybe 2009 was just a lucky season. Looking deeper into the statistics, however, showed that Wells was just getting unlucky (really unlucky) and over his last 4 starts he has started to round back into form. There is no question his numbers will be solid the rest of the way, but the ability of the Cubs to win baseball games is another story altogether.

Vicente Padilla – SP –Dodgers – 55.7 inn, 4 wins, 4.04 era, 1.02 whip, 54 k’s

It may seem like Padilla has been around for 20 years, but he is only 32 years old and is on a very solid Dodgers team in a very weak National League West division. He is more than likely available in most leagues due to an early season groin injury, but he won’t be for long. With only 10 walks and 54 strikeouts in 55 innings, Padilla is pitching as well as he has in his entire career and is deserving of a roster spot on any fantasy baseball team.

Brandon Morrow – SP – Blue Jays – 107 inn, 6 wins, 4.71 era, 1.43 whip, 119 k’s

Just a few years ago Morrow was named the Seattle Mariners’ closer, a role in which he did very well. Morrow, however, wanted to be a starting pitcher and soon after this revelation he was injured. Now the 5^th pick in the 2006 draft has taken his talented arm to Canada to try to earn top starter money so he can pay top starter income taxes. Think of Morrow as an even wilder Volquez. If your team is in need of strikeouts, Morrow is definitely worth the risk to other categories.

R.A. Dickey – SP – Mets – 72 inn, 6 wins, 2.63 era, 1.26 whip, 51 k’s

After finding limited success as a traditional pitcher, Dickey reinvented himself as a knuckleball specialist and is now having his best season as a starter for the New York Mets. The first few wins seemed like a bit of a fluke, but R.A. has kept it going and has been doing so well that the Mets are no longer searching for another starting pitcher. There is no reason to think Dickey won’t keep winning games, just be prepared for the occasional hiccup.

J.A. Happ – SP – Phillies – 10.1 inn, 1 win, 0.00 era, 1.65 whip, 5 k’s

To continue with the theme of initialed starters, I wanted to remind everyone that Happ had a very solid season in 2009. With 12 wins and a 2.93 era, Happ had a nice breakout and was a target of many fantasy owners this year. A forearm injury sent him to the DL, however, and he has since been dropped in most leagues. Happ has begun making rehab starts and looks like he is nearing a return. Phillies’ GM Ruben Amaro has said that Happ will come back as a starter, and he should be picked up in most fantasy leagues.

Brett Cecil – SP – Blue Jays – 93 inn, 8 wins, 3.97 era, 1.16 whip, 67 k’s

Cecil got off to a great start this season and was added in quite a few fantasy baseball leagues. A difficult schedule caused a few bumps in the road and he was dropped in a lot of leagues. In his last 10 starts he has 6 wins, twice beating the Yankees. Not necessarily a strikeout pitcher, Cecil gets by with excellent command and pitching to contact. When checking the waiver wire for a solid starter, you could do a lot worse than a 3.97 era and 1.16 whip.

Brian Duensing – RP – Twins – 39 inn, 2 wins, 1.62 era, 0.95 whip, 26 k’s

You may be thinking, Duensing’s not a starter, he’s a reliever with a weird last name. All of this is true, but the Twins have a couple of starters, which I will not name in order to protect them (Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker), that are not exactly the model of consistency. So with the Twins in a heated pennant race, they may choose to move Blackburn to the pen and turn to Duensing, one of their most reliable relievers, to help bolster the rotation. If you do grab Duensing and he is not named a starter, his numbers certainly will not hurt your pitching stats (Ok? so no angry emails).

By The Fantasy Dick

The Fantasy Dick has been handpicked by The Baseball Chick to be her resident fantasy baseball expert and to dispense fantasy baseball advice to her readers. Contact The Fantasy Dick via email:  thefantasydick at yahoo.com, with any fantasy baseball questions.

So I guess it’s no longer “Lima Time.”

Right-handed pitcher, Jose Lima, who was a 20-game winner and an All-Star during a 13-year major league career, died Sunday. He was 37.  Lima died of an apparent heart attack, according to the Aguilas Cibaenas, a winter ball team Lima had played for in the Dominican Republic.  Lima posted his best season in 1999 when he was selected to the All-Star game as a Houston Astro.

In 13 major league seasons, he had a 5.26 ERA. He hadn’t pitched in the major leagues since a four-game stop with the New York Mets in 2006.

“He was a man full of life, without apparent physical problems and with many plans and projects on the agenda,” his wife, Dorca Astacio, told ESPNdeportes.com.

On this past Friday night, he attended a game at Dodger Stadium, where he was introduced between innings and received an ovation from the crowd.  With the Dodgers in 2004 and 2005, Lima had a record of 13-5, with a 4.07 ERA.

“He would sign autographs all the time and ask the kids, ‘What time is it?’ They would answer ‘Lima Time!’ I can see it right now.” said Guillermo Mota, now a Giants reliever. “He had so much energy. I used to play catch with him and I’d be laughing on every throw.”

So sad.  I will always remember when he dyed his hair blond.  That was so ridiculous.  My thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fans.

(Eric Gagne - Isn't ache a sign of steroid use?)

Beginning his attempt at returning to the majors, former Cy Young winner Eric Gagne responded to questions about performance-enhancing drugs by saying “There are a lot of regrets.”

He also told reporters, “I’ve said it 150 times, it’s always going to be on my resume for the rest of my life. People will second-guess everything I do and if I have a good year they’ll all second guess. That’s normal. I’m not expecting anything else. But for me it’s over. I have to go on. I can talk about it every day. It doesn’t matter. I still have to go out and pitch and perform.”

But in a later interview with the Los Angeles Times published this past Saturday, Gagne became a little less obtuse in his admissions when asked about his alleged use of HGH:

“I did,” [Gagne] says. “I hate to talk about it. It just doesn’t do anyone any good. But I thought it would help me get better when I hurt my knee. I just don’t want that to sound as an excuse.

“I’m so ashamed. It wasn’t smart. If I knew what I know now … I didn’t need it. I regret it so much, just now maybe getting over the guilt. It was stupid.”

The once imposing and feared closer signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, guaranteeing him a relatively meager $500,000 if he makes the Opening Day roster.

I hate to toot my own horn, but I was preaching this news to all the people creaming their leopard print thongs in Los Angeles over Eric Gagne years before his name ever showed up in the Mitchell Report.  Now, this news is pretty much a “duh” situation, but I always like to make formal announcement of how right I consistently am.

(The McCourts during happier times)

This broad is out of control:

Jamie McCourt wants nearly $1 million per month in temporary support from her estranged husband, an amount disclosed in a court filing in which her lawyers allege Frank McCourt has engaged in a “carefully calculated subterfuge designed to mislead the court” about his financial resources.The revised request — for $988,845 per month — reflects property-tax bills as well as additional records that her lawyers claim can show the couple averaged $2.3 million per month in salaries, distributions and perks starting in 2004, when the McCourts bought the [MLB's Los Angeles] Dodgers.  (LA Times)

Hey, if you wanted to rock the lifestyle, maybe you shouldn’t have started banging your $20 an hour bodyguard.  She is clearly a bad businesswoman.

Holy ba-jesus, this is Russell Martin’s girlfriend?  I need her number quick. Someone needs to let this poor foreign girl know that Russell Martin is the same Canadian motherfucker who hit .250 with 7 homeruns in over 500 at bats this season.  Shesh…

In this past Saturday’s Arlington Heights Daily Herald, Milton Bradley responded to the question regarding whether he enjoyed this season with the Chicago Cubs as follows:

Not really.  It’s just not a positive environment.  I need a stable, healthy, enjoyable environment.  There’s too many people everywhere in your face with a microphone asking the same questions repeatedly.  Everything is just bashing you.  You got out there and you play harder than anybody on the field and never get credit for it.  It’s just negativity.

And you understand why they haven’t won in 100 years here, because it’s negative.  That’s what it is.

Jim Hendry, the Cubs’ GM, responded by suspending Bradley for the remainder of the season.  He also released a statement saying:

Recently it’s become intolerable to hear Milton talk about our great fans the way he has.  We pride ourselves on having the greatest fans in baseball, so at this time we felt it was best for him to go home for the rest of the season.

While my initial reaction is to question Mr. Hendry on his definition of the “best fans in baseball,” I will move beyond that for now.  I guess if a bunch of fat broads with no jobs sitting in the bleachers for weekday afternoon games wearing bikinis is the definition of quality baseball fans, then he has a very valid point.  However, my intention at this point is to honor the irrational rage and arrogant genius that is, Mr. Milton Obelle Bradley, Jr.  Milton Bradley, this is your life!

April 15, 1978:    Milton Obelle Bradley, Jr. is born.  His father, desirous of a “junior,” filled out the birth certificate without his wife’s permission.

May 10, 1985:    Tragedy strikes, when someone unbeknownst to the young Mr. Bradley sneaks into the family home and shits in his cereal.

1986:  Milton Bradley suffers humiliation when his classmates realize he was named after a popular board game pioneer.

1996:    Milton is drafted by the Montreal Expos.

July 19, 2000:   Milton makes his Major League debut of the Montreal Expos.

July 31, 2001:   Milton is traded to the Cleveland Indians for Zach Day.

April 11, 2002:   Right quadricep injury, day-to-day.

May 2, 2002:    Eye Contusion, 15-day DL. (misses 29 games)

August 14, 2002:    Appendicitis, 15-day DL.

April 18, 2003:   Hamstring injury, day-to-day.

April 26, 2003:   Strained right hamstring, 15-day DL.

August 15, 2003:   Back injury, 15-day DL.

August 29, 2003:   Misses 46 games to the end of the regular season (back injury).

April 2004:   Milton is abruptly traded to the Dodgers following an altercation with Indians’ manager Eric Wedge during spring training.

2004 Season:   Milton slams a plastic bottle at the feet of a fan at Dodger Stadium after someone threw it onto the field, which led to a 5 game suspension.  He also earned a 4 game suspension for tossing a bag of balls onto the field after an ejection.

April 30, 2004:   Ankle injury, day-to-day (misses 3 games).

May 31, 2004:   Ankle injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

August 12, 2004:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

2005 Season:   Milton feuds with Jeff Kent, accusing him of being racist.  This seems to be a major catalyst in his trade from the team the following season.

June 3, 2005:   Finger injury, 15-day DL.

July 23, 2005:   Misses 47 games (finger injury).

August 23, 2005:   Knee injury, day-to-day.

August 25, 2005:   Torn left Patella Tendon, 15-day DL.

September 2, 2005:   Transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL (torn left Patella Tendon).

2006 Season:   Milton seemingly takes high doses of tranquilizers, which render him unable to publicly bitch and moan about the sorry, tragic life of a Major League baseball player.

May 7, 2006:   Right knee injury, 15-day DL.

June 6, 2006:   Misses 36 games (right knee injury).

June 20, 2006:   Shoulder injury, 15-day DL.

August 30, 2006:   Ankle injury, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

2007 Season:   Milton carries on public disagreement with A’s GM Billy Beane.  On June 21, 2007, the A’s designate him for assignment.  He is acquired by the Padres 8 days later.  They do not require him to pass a physical examination of any kind for fear he would fail it and go elsewhere.  On September 23, 2007, Milton tore his right ACL while being restrained by Padres manager Bud Black during an argument with umpire Mike Winters.  Bradley was accused of throwing a bat in another umpire’s direction during a previous at-bat.  Winters used profanity towards Milton, Milton moved towards Winters, Milton was held back by Black and then Milton fell to the ground resulting in the injury.  He missed the last week of the season as a result, and the Padres lost their lead in the division and failed to make the playoffs.

April 13, 2007:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 6 games).

April 23, 2007:   Hamstring, 15-day DL.

May 17, 2007:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 4 games).

May 23, 2007:   Hamstring, 15-day DL.

June 8, 2007:   Calf injury, 15-day DL.

July 1, 2007:   Oblique injury, 15-day DL.

August 4, 2007:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 4 games)

September 11, 2007:   Right oblique muscle strain, day-to-day. (misses 12 games)

September 24, 2007:   Torn ACL, sidelined indefinitely.

2008 Season:  Milton makes his first All-Star team as a DH while playing for the Texas Rangers.  However, Bradley attempts to confront a Kansas City Royals’ announcer following a game after he believes negative comments were made about him on the air.  After the Rangers’ manager and GM chase him down and stop him, Bradley returns to the clubhouse in tears.

May 1, 2008:   Hamstring, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

May 13, 2008:   Right shoulder injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

May 30, 2008:   Dizziness, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

June 18, 2008:   Quadricep injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

June 22, 2008:   Strained left quadriceps, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

July 11, 2008:    Left knee injury, day-to-day (misses 1 game).

July 30, 2008:   Quadricep injury, day-to-day (misses 5 games).

August 5, 2008:   Strained left quadriceps, day-to-day (misses 5 games).

August 16, 2008:   Illness, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

September 6, 2008:   Wrist injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

September 16, 2008:   Left wrist injury, day-to-day (misses 2 games).

2009 Season:  Milton signs a 3 year, $30 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.  On April 16th, Milton is suspended for 2 games for making contact with an umpire.  On June 13th, Milton throws a ball caught in left field into the stands with only 2 outs in the inning.  He is also ordered to leave the dugout by Lou Piniella after he throws a tirade following a fly out.  Piniella and Milton continue this argument in the locker room where “words” are exchanged.

April 13, 2009:  Groin injury (misses 2 games).

April 17, 2009:  Groin injury (misses 1 game).

April 23, 2009:  Groin injury (misses 1 game).

April 25, 2009:  Groin injury (misses 2 games).

June 3, 2009:  Calf injury (misses 2 games).

August 14, 2009:  Hip injury (misses 1 game).

September 9, 2009:  Leg injury (misses 1 game).

This leads us to September 20, 2009, and his suspension for the remainder of the year.  No one can ever say that Milton Bradley is inconsistent.  He consistently is moved from team to team, while generally having decent production, an obscene amount of injuries, and a severe behavioral disorder.

The Major League Baseball trade deadline has come and gone and quite a few moves have been made in the last few days that will impact fantasy baseball teams everywhere. I will cover the trades with the greatest fantasy impact, starting with:

• The San Diego Padres traded pitcher Jack Peavy to the Chicago White Sox for lefty starter, Clayton Richard, and 3 other pitching prospects. Jake Peavy is due back sometime in September and could help the White Sox make a playoff push. Clayton Richard becomes an intriguing fantasy starter in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues with this move to the spacious Petco Park.
• The Cleveland Indians traded slugging catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez to the Boston Red Sox for major league ready pitcher Justin Masterson, promising lefty Nick Hagadone, and one other prospect. The move should not impact Martinez’s fantasy value and Masterson could find his way into the Cleveland rotation very soon. Mike Lowell will probably be the biggest loser in this deal as he stands to lose some playing time.
• The Red Sox made another move, sending recently acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche to the Atlanta Braves for first baseman Casey Kotchman. LaRoche’s fantasy value should increase as he will be the Braves’ everyday first baseman. Kotchman’s value will remain largely unchanged, but Boston seems like the winner here as Kotchman is 3 years younger and has slightly better career averages.
• The Cincinatti Reds sent 3 players, including third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, to the Toronto Blue Jays for veteran third baseman Scott Rolen. Encarnacion has the potential to deliver decent offensive numbers, but the Blue Jays will suffer a large drop in defense. If Rolen’s recent power surge is not a fluke, then he will love playing at Great American Ballpark and becomes a must-add in all NL-only leagues.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up lefty reliever George Sherrill from the Baltimore Orioles for prospects. This move greatly improves the Dodgers’ tired bullpen, but greatly reduces any fantasy value Sherrill had as a closer, unless your league counts holds. Early reports are saying that Jim Johnson will get first shot at closing duties in Baltimore, as was predicted by The Baseball Chick a few days ago in the Fantasy Sports Corner.
• The Detroit Tigers traded prospects to the Seattle Mariners for left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn. Washburn may see an increase in his ERA and WHIP since he was aided by a superior Mariners outfield, but he should still be a reliable fantasy starter. The Detroit Tigers now have 3 of the top 7 starting ERAs in baseball in their rotation.
• The Oakland A’s, always active at the trade deadline, dealt second baseman Orlando Cabrera to the Minnesota Twins for a prospect.  Cabrera will immediately bat second and should prove to be a nice upgrade over Nick Punto and Brendan Harriss.  The veteran should get a nice boost in runs scored batting in front of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.
• Surprising buyers at the deadline, with a pair of moves, the San Francisco Giants picked up former batting champ and second baseman Freddy Sanchez from the Pittsburgh Pirates for promising pitching prospect Timothy Alderson.  The Giants also added Ryan Garko, courtesy the Cleveland Indians, to replace struggling first baseman Travis Ishikawa.  Garko should see a little more playing time in San Fran and Ishikawa could lose all of his fantasy value.  Sanchez’s value should remain about the same.
• The Chicago Cubs picked up lefty set-up man John Grabow and starter Tom Gorzelanny from the Pittsburgh Pirates for starting pitcher Kevin Hart and 2 other prospects.  Grabow will help to set-up Kevin Gregg in Chicago, leaving his fantasy value largely unchanged.  It appears Matt Capps will stay the Pirates closer for the remainder of this season.
• Finally, the Florida Marlins picked up first baseman Nick Johnson from the Washington Nationals for a prospect.  Johnson’s value may take a hit in Florida unless they decide to bench Emilio Bonafacio and move Jorge Cantu to third base, opening up regular playing time for Johnson at first.

The Major League Baseball season is more than halfway over which means time is running out to make a run in your fantasy baseball league.  With the trade deadline approaching, now is the time to start looking at those set-up men that will inherit the closer position when teams decide to make a change.  The Fantasy Sports Corner has a list of ten potential closers for those in need of saves for the stretch run:

1.  Leo Nunez (Marlins) – 3.56 era, 1.19 whip, 13 holds, 7 saves

If Nunez is still available in your league and you are in need of saves, stop reading and go pick him up.  When closer Matt Lindstrom first went down with an injury, the Florida Marlins went to a committee of lefty Dan Meyer and righty Leo Nunez.  Nunez has emerged as the favorite by getting the last 3 save chances and converting them all.  The plan is to ease Lindstrom back into closing duties, so Nunez will have a chance for a few more saves.  If Nunez continues to pitch well and Lindstrom does not improve on his miserable first half, then the closer’s job could be handed to Nunez permanently.

2.  C.J. Wilson (Rangers) – 2.86 era, 1.27 whip, 8 holds, 10 saves

Texas Rangers closer Frank Francisco got off to a stellar start in 2009.  However, injuries and a current case of pneumonia have limited him.  When Francisco has not be available, C.J. Wilson has filled in admirably.  Wilson won’t be handed the full-time job anytime soon, but Francisco has not shown that he has trouble staying healthy.  So if you are in need of saves, C.J. Wilson is a set-up man to own.

3.  Jon Rauch (Diamondbacks) – 4.25 era, 1.35 whip, 6 holds, 2 saves

The numbers don’t look great, but Jon Rauch has really turned things around lately.  He has only allowed 3 earned runs in his last 10 innings and with the Arizona Diamondbacks looking like sellers at the trade deadline, he may get another shot to close.  There are trade rumors around current Diamondbacks closer Chad Qualls, so Rauch could be in line for some second-half saves.

4.  Ramon Troncoso (Dodgers) – 1.95 era, 1.25 whip, 10 holds, 5 saves

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton is dealing with a nagging toe injury that manager Joe Torre feels could be a problem for the rest of the season.  When Broxton has been unable to pitch, set-up man Ramon Troncoso has filled in and has proven very dependable.  Broxton has done well since the All-Star break, but with a chance of missed days and a D.L. stint, Ramon Troncoso makes a nice second-half sleeper.

5.  Jim Johnson (Orioles) – 3.05 era, 1.26 whip, 14 holds, 1 save

Trade rumors are swirling around Baltimore Orioles closer George Sherrill.  The Orioles are definitely sellers and with quite a few teams showing interest there is a good chance Sherrill will be moved.  Jim Johnson would get the first crack at the closer’s job and should do just fine.  Johnson’s strikeout rate leaves a lot to be desired, but the 25-year-old can be relied on to get outs.

6.  John Grabow (Pirates) – 3.65 era, 1.50 whip, 16 holds, 0 saves

Current Pittsburgh Pirates closer Matt Capps has a lot of job security and isn’t a free agent until 2012.  However, there have been some trade rumors (with the Marlins showing interest), and if he were to be moved then John Grabow would step into the closer’s role.  The Pirates have been winning some games this year, so with a Capps trade Grabow would become a solid fantasy closer.

7.  Matt Thornton (White Sox) – 2.85 era, 1.20 whip, 15 holds, 1 save

Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks has given up six runs in his last four appearances.  Ozzie Guillen has been quoted as saying that Jenks will remain the closer.  His actual quote was, “He’s my closer and if people don’t want him to be my closer, don’t come to the God damn games.”  With a strong bullpen, the White Sox could look to trade Jenks or he could just pitch himself out of a job.  If either of these things happen, Matt Thornton should get first shot at the closer’s role.

8.  Joe Beimel (Nationals) – 3.35 era, 1.33 whip, 10 holds, 1 save

Mike MacDougal is surprisingly doing a fine job closing games for a struggling (to say the least) Washington Nationals baseball team.  However, Manager Jim Riggleman has said that he wants to use the dreaded closer-by-committee approach.  MacDougal will be the favorite in the committee, but his peripherals suggest he is due for a big fall.  Next in line would be Joe Beimel.  Beimel is only 1 for 5 in save opportunities this year, so he is a risky option as well and probably best left for NL-only fantasy leagues.  Sean Burnett is a sleeper here and has pitched extremely well in his short time with the Nationals.

9.  LaTroy Hawkins (Astros) – 2.36 era, 1.24 whip, 11 holds, 10 saves

Houston Astros closer Jose Valverde has been great so far in the second half.  LaTroy Hawkins filled in quite well for Valverde while he was on the D.L. and would do so again if Valverde were to succumb to injury (which is always a possibility).  If the Astros were to fall out of the race there is the potential for Valverde to be traded as he is a free agent.  Hawkins is also a free agent which is why he is toward the bottom of the list.

10.  Ryan Madson (Phillies) – 3.10 era, 1.20 whip, 16 holds, 4 saves

Ryan Madson was one of the best set-up men in baseball for the Philladelphia Phillies in the first half.  When current closer Brad Lidge went on the D.L., Madson got a chance to see if his 8th inning skills would translate to the 9th inning.  Madson learned quickly that closing games is not easy and he struggled mightily in the role.  Brad Lidge is back closing games for the Phillies and Madson is settling back into his set-up role here in the second half.  However, Lidge is still proving to be awfully hittable and although he says his knee is 100% there is always the possibility of another trip to the D.L.  All of this makes Ryan Madson a sleeper closer and his numbers will not hurt you if you’re looking for help in ERA, WHIP, and K/9.