AN Contributor Phil Naessens answers a Fantasy Baseball question about Jim Johnson and suggests three possible closer's for you to add this week.
It's week five of the Fantasy Baseball season and while I should be talking about replacing the injured and out for at least 6 weeks Mark Trumbo and the possible absence of Chris Davis I thought since you guys have been talking quite a bit these days about closer's I would answer the following question;
Dear Phil,
I'm confused about what to do with closer Jim Johnson. After a shaky start and demotion he seems to have gotten back on track. Is he worth keeping on a standard 10 team head to head roster?
Thanks for the question. To be honest with you I'm sort of confused about this closer by committee situation in Oakland as well. On the one hand the Athletics have this experienced big time big name closer Manager Bob Melvin kinda benched and replaced him with less experienced guys like Luke Gregorson and Sean Doolitle. To me that didn't make a whole lot of sense. Since then Gregorson has two blown saves, a win and a save and Doolittle has a loss, a blown save and a save. To me the experiment didn't work to well.
Now re-enter Johnson. Apparently Melvin is thinking about adding Johnson back to the 9th inning save opportunity list. This is a good thing for those of you (65% in ESPN Leagues) who already own him. Even though he's not the #1 option currently you almost have to believe at some point he will regain his top dog closer role. Especially if Doolittle and Gregorson continue this rough patch they both have found themselves currently in.
To answer the question I would absolutely keep him. If he continues pitching well he will be good for your ERA in the short term and once he regains his closer role back, and believe me he will, Johnson will rack up the saves and you will be a much happier camper.
Here are a few other closer's you might want to consider this week.
Kyle Farnsworth RP Mets: Jose Valverde couldn't get the job done and Farnsworth has stepped in and has picked up two saves. This is a good thing. Being 48% owned is a better thing and Farnsworth might be a good add for you to consider this week. (Stats)
Joe Smith RP Angels: Ernesto Frieri had his usual early season struggles and rather than sticking with him Angels manager Mike Sciosca has decided at least for now to go with Smith. How long this will last is anyone's guess but the 25% owned Smith is the man for now and might be worthy of consideration this week. (Stats)
Mark Melancon RP Pirates: Pirates closer Jason Grilli is on the DL and there is no better replacement than the capable Melancon to jump right in there and grab you a few saves. At 31% owned he won't be around long so if saves are what you need this week claim him now before he is long gone. (Stats)
On this week's Fantasy Baseball Weekly I'm joined for the entire program by Talking Chop Staff Writer Patrick MacCoon. Please join us as we answer questions about Jason Heyward, Dan Uggla, talk closers, waiver wire pickups as well as give you a couple of sleepers for you to consider this week. You can listen below or download the show here.
Good luck this week Fantasy Baseball owners!