1.) Jonathan Papelbon (RP) Boston Red Sox

He’s undoubtedly the best closer in the game. Over the last three seasons, he has only blown 10 saves in 82 opportunities. He sports a lifetime 1.62 ERA and a career 0.92 WHIP. Plus, he has limited opposing hitters to a paltry .180 average in his three seasons of experience. Last season, he struck out 84 batters and walked 15 in 58 1/3 innings of work. At the tender age of 27, it’s safe to expect “Paps” to dance his way into the hearts of even more fans as 2008 should be another fantastic season for the fiery closer.

2.) J.J. Putz (RP) Seattle Mariners

Over his last two campaigns, Putz has only blown nine saves in 85 opportunities and has additionally registered a combined 10-2 record with 186 strikeouts, 26 walks, a 1.86 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP in 150 innings. In 2008, his bullpen is a bit shaky, but the addition of starting pitcher Erik Bedard and the inevitable breakout of starting pitcher Felix Hernandez on the horizon, Putz will have plenty of chances once the ninth inning rolls around.

3.) Joe Nathan (RP) Minnesota Twins

Nathan is one of my personal favorites; unfortunately I was only able to snag him in one of my leagues. In 2007, Nathan recorded 37 saves in 41 opportunities. He also recorded a 4-2 record with 77 strikeouts, 19 walks, a 1.88 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP in 71 2/3 innings. In addition, he conceded a .209 batting average to opposing hitters, it was his highest batting average allowed since the .255 clip hit off of him during the 2000 season with the San Francisco Giants. However, Nathan has recorded two seasons with 40-plus saves over the last four years and has recorded 75-plus strikeouts in five straight campaigns. He won’t disappoint.

4.) Jose Valverde (RP) Houston Astros

Valverde led Major League Baseball last season with 47 saves in 54 opportunities. In addition, he recorded a 1-4 record with 78 strikeouts, 26 walks, a 2.66 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP in 64 1/3 innings. He also limited opposing hitters to a .196 average. His first season in Houston should be interesting. Over his five campaigns in the league, Valverde has recorded three saves with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.38 WHIP in 5 1/3 innings inside Houston’s Minute Maid Park. The best is yet to come for the 6-foot-4, 254-pound monster.

5.) Billy Wagner (RP) New York Mets

Wagner will be one of the main beneficiaries of the Johan Santana acquisition. In 2007, Wagner recorded 34 saves in 39 opportunities. In addition, he notched a 2-2 record with 80 strikeouts, 22 walks, a 2.63 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 68 1/3 innings. Over his 13 years in the game, Wagner has combined for a nasty 2.40 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and a beautiful .190 opposition batting average. The only downside to the 5-foot-11, 203-pound southpaw is that he turns 37 in July.

6.) Francisco Rodriguez (RP) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

I’m ranking him so low due to his shakiness in the clutch, I know it has nothing to do with fantasy, but it bothers me immensely. He has recorded three consecutive seasons with 40 or more saves and five straight campaigns with 90 or more strikeouts. In six years of experience, he has registered a combined 2.37 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP and a sick .185 opposition batting average. His home runs allowed over the last three campaigns has steadily decreased as well, he only allowed three dingers last year. At 26, Rodriguez is destined to continue his dominance, he’s a fantastic talent.

7.) Mariano Rivera (RP) New York Yankees

In 2007, Rivera notched 30 saves in 34 chances. In addition, he went 3-4 with 74 strikeouts, 12 walks, a 3.15 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP in 71 1/3 innings. The 2007 season marked his fifth straight year with 30 or more saves. However, age appears to be catching up with the 38-year-old legend as his 3.15 ERA last season was his worst since the 5.51 ERA he recorded during his inaugural campaign with the Yankees in 1995. Rivera is still a great player, but beware, his downfall is inevitable.

8.) Takashi Saito (RP) Los Angeles Dodgers

Saito notched 39 saves in 43 chances during the 2007 season. In addition, he went 2-1 with 78 strikeouts, 13 walks, a 1.40 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP in 64 1/3 innings. He also limited opposing hackers to a staunch .151 batting average. In his two MLB seasons combined, the 38-year-old Japanese import has recorded 63 saves in 69 opportunities, an 8-3 record, 185 strikeouts, 36 walks, a 1.77 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP in 142 2/3 innings. It’s too bad he won’t be around for another five seasons, because he is truly dominant.

9.) Bobby Jenks (RP) Chicago White Sox

In 2007, Jenks recorded 40 saves in 46 chances. In addition, he went 3-5 with 56 strikeouts and 13 walks in 65 innings. He also limited opposing hitters to a .198 average. Last season marked the second consecutive season that Jenks notched 40 or more saves. However, his strikeout total of 56 was 24 less than the 80 he recorded in 2006, but he dropped his ERA from 4.00 in 2006 to 2.77 last season and reduced his 2006 WHIP of 1.39 to 0.89 as well. He appears ready to harness his super abilities and continue to mature in a role that he was destined for.

10.) Francisco Cordero (RP) Cincinnati Reds

In 2007, Cordero saved 44 games in 51 opportunities. He also went 0-4 with 86 strikeouts, 18 walks, a 2.98 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 63 1/3 innings. In addition, he allowed a measly four dingers and limited opposing hitters to a .218 average. Great American Ball Park is a launching pad, but I truly believe that Cordero has lassoed the mistakes of his past and is ready to serve up nastiness in 2008. The good thing about his situation with the Reds is there’s no real threat of someone taking his job, so he’ll have the comfort of being the man. Just watch him closely as the season begins, because I don’t think he has the head to withstand an early implosion.

Rob McCarthy has played fantasy sports since the days of tediously transferring his daily points from the Boston Herald to a tattered notepad every morning.  He has been featured on Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports and currently scribes for KFFL.com.  In addition, Rob is an avid fan of all Boston sports.

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