Cincinnati Reds
Closer – Jonathan Broxton
Next – Sean Marshall
Sleeper – Aroldis Chapman
Super-Sleeper – Jose Arredondo
It would appear that Jonathan Broxton has recovered from years of abuse at the hands of Joe Torre. His strikeout rate and fastball velocity will probably never be what they were again but Broxton has learned to be effective with what he has which is a still a nice low to mid 90s fastball. As long as his control is there he should be an effective mid-tier closer. Only the return of Aroldis Chapman to the bullpen would force an effective Broxton from the closer role.
Click here to see the rest of the National League closer reports
Texas Rangers
Closer – Joe Nathan
Next – Tanner Scheppers
Sleeper – Robbie Ross
Super-Sleeper – Joakim Soria
Joe Nathan completed his return from TJS with the Texas Rangers in 2012 and looked almost as good as ever. The strikeouts were there. The command was there. He did not seem to suffer much in the more hitting oriented environment. As he nears 40-years old, Nathan can be expected to fade a bit but there are not many signs of that in his 2012 statistics. Scheppers allowed a few too many homers in his first Major Leagues stint but he has the stuff to be the Rangers closer of the future. Joakim Soria was signed this offseason after the Royals declined to re-sign him as he rehabbed from TJS. Soria is expected to be ready by the All-Star Break and while he contribute in the second half, he is more likely to be of value in 2014.
Click here to see the rest of the American League closer reports
