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Closer Report

Drafts are in full swing, so here's the closer info you'll need to know.  Yahoo draft round (assuming 12 teams) is in parentheses.

• Red Sox - Jonathan Papelbon (4).  No problems here, Manny comments notwithstanding.
• Mets - Francisco Rodriguez (5).
• Twins - Joe Nathan (6).  He pulled out of the WBC with a shoulder issue, but seems fine now.
• Yankees - Mariano Rivera (6).  He should make his first spring appearance tomorrow.  He had arthroscopic shoulder surgery in October.
• Phillies - Brad Lidge (6).  Seems to have gotten past his forearm tightness.
• Royals - Joakim Soria (8).
• White Sox - Bobby Jenks (9).
• Dodgers - Jonathan Broxton (10).
• Cubs - Carlos Marmol (10), Kevin Gregg (17).  Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald believes Gregg is the frontrunner.  Marmol blew a save in the WBC.  Personally I am going to stay away from this situation in drafts.
• Astros - Jose Valverde (10).
• Blue Jays - B.J. Ryan (10).
• Indians - Kerry Wood (11).  He's looking good following an early spring back ailment.
• Angels - Brian Fuentes (11).
• Reds - Francisco Cordero (11).  Had September ankle surgery and hasn't looked good this spring.
• Pirates - Matt Capps (13).
• Giants - Brian Wilson (13).
• Rockies - Huston Street (14), Manny Corpas (undrafted).  Clint Hurdle said Saturday nobody has an edge.  Drafting Corpas for a bench spot couldn't hurt.
• Braves - Mike Gonzalez (14).  The undrafted Rafael Soriano seems healthy for now, so tie him to Gonzalez if possible.
• Brewers - Trevor Hoffman (14).
• Padres - Heath Bell (15).
• Diamondbacks - Chad Qualls (15).
• Nationals - Joel Hanrahan (16).  I like to dive in around the Bell/Qualls/Hanrahan range.
• Marlins - Matt Lindstrom (16).  Lindstrom is having an MRI on his tight shoulder after being pulled from a WBC game.  Possible setup man Scott Proctor is trying to overcome elbow woes.  I'm thinking Leo Nunez is third in line. UPDATE: Lindstrom has a rotator cuff strain and will not throw for 7-10 days.
• Rangers - Frank Francisco (16).  Nice sleeper pick.
• Rays - Troy Percival (16).  The Rays' bullpen is not a good fantasy situation, with Jason Isringhausen, Grant Balfour, and Dan Wheeler lingering if Percival has issues.
• Athletics - Joey Devine (17), Brad Ziegler (17).  Devine is recovering from elbow pain, while Ziegler is pitching in the WBC.
• Orioles - George Sherrill (17).  Sherrill is to be the primary closer, but Chris Ray might get some opps.
• Cardinals - Chris Perez (17), Jason Motte (undrafted), Ryan Franklin (undrafted).  There are signs Tony La Russa might prefer Franklin's experience over the youngsters' skills.
• Tigers - Brandon Lyon (18).  Fernando Rodney (17) is getting more love in Yahoo leagues, but Lyon owns the job.
• Mariners - Mark Lowe (undrafted), David Aardsma (undrafted), Miguel Batista (undrafted), Tyler Walker (undrafted), Chad Cordero (undrafted).  If Cordero is healthy and effective in May or June he will probably have a good shot at closing.  In a recent MLB Network spot, GM Jack Zduriencik mentioned Lowe and Aardsma by name.  Aardsma has the best Spring Training numbers so we'll call him the favorite.

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