[bahoena]

I often wonder how important RPs are in fantasy baseball. In most leagues, they really only affect one categegory, but then when you get someone like Gange who can record 100+ Ks . . .

Though he's in the NL, so as for the AL top 5:

1. F-Rod - being in a keeper league, I really like his youth, and his arm is probably as strong as Rivera.

2. Rivera - he has a solid offense to give him oppurtunities, but the Yanks starting pitching staff could use a little help.

3. F-Cordero - if only he didn't pitch in Texas . . .

4. Ryan - he's one of my personal favs, but how good will Toronto be this year?

5. Nathan - okay, he's probably better than Ryan, but I'm not too high on the Twins this year.

[Lefty Noob]

In my league, relievers are good for saves, Ks and ERA. Sometimes its good to find an unheralded middle reliever with a low ERA to really add points to your club. The best thing is that nobody ever drafts these guys because 6th, 7th and 8th inning guys just aren't as sexy a pick as a dominant closer, but they can score you some nice points in the right situation.

[bahoena]

And then you get players like J Rincon, who a couple of years ago was a late inning RP who won 11 games and had 100+ Ks.

In my league, we can have 3 RPs, and I usually try to get someone like Rincon or Donnelly to round out my staff. They can get as many wins as Ks as some low-end starters and have much better ERAs and WHIPs.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

4. Ryan - he's one of my personal favs, but how good will Toronto be this year?

Provided they can avoid injury to their starting rotation, pretty darn good. I'd think Ryan could have a pretty big year.

[voodoodoodoo]

I'd be careful with Cordero. He had quite a few saves last year, but has some problems with his shoulder that (i think) is going to keep him out of the World Baseball Classic.

I like Huston Street -- he closed for about half the season and was pretty close to lights out. Plenty of strikeouts.

My top 5 AL would be:

- Rivera
- Nathan (lots of Ks, and remember a closer can get plenty of saves on mediocre teams)
- F-Rod
- Street
- Ryan

Closers are always a big question mark, remember Gagne last year. Don't be afraid to wait a while and take someone like Guardado or Chris Ray...