Top 5 Position Battles Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

In fantasy baseball, the relief pitcher position causes the most heartache and joy during the baseball season. One week the closer can be lights out and before you know it, they are having a hard time just throwing the ball over the plate. If you want to win your fantasy baseball league, you will need to find one or two bargain rate closers who will shore up your bullpen. Here is a look at the top five relief pitcher position battles to keep an eye on before your fantasy baseball draft.

# 1 - Position Battle Relief Pitcher for Detroit Tigers 2009

Opting to go with more consistency at the closer position, the Detroit Tigers are going to open up spring training with a 3 way position battle. Incumbent closer, Fernando Rodney, ended the season with a 0-6 record and 13 saves while producing a 4.91 ERA in 40.1 innings of work. The Tigers brought in former Diamondback, Brandon Lyons, compiled a 3-5 record in 2008 with 26 saves and a 4.70 ERA in 59.1 innings in Arizona. The last man competing for the closer role is Joel Zumaya who has been bothered by injuries in the past two seasons. In 2008, he finished with a 0-2 record with 1 save to go along with a 3.47 ERA in 23.1 innings of work. Lyons looks to be the front runner for this position, but with his second half collapse in 2008, expect him to be on a short leash in 2009. If you are looking to add a third closer to your team, Lyons would be a good option in your fantasy baseball draft.

# 2 - Position Battle Relief Pitcher for Chicago Cubs 2009

In one of the more perplexing moves of the off season for the Cubs, they brought in former Marlins closer, Kevin Gregg, to their team after letting their 2008 closer, Kerry Wood, leave for greener pastures. Despite Gregg's performance in 2008, compiling a 7-8 record with a 3.41 ERA and 32 saves in 84 innings, it appears he will have to prove himself in spring training to earn the closer role. His competition is Carlos Marmol, who was Woods' setup man in 2008 where he finished with a 2-4 record to go with a 2.68 ERA ad 7 saves in 87.1 innings. Marmol may earn the position by the time the season starts, but it will only take a few blown saves before he feels Gregg breathing down his neck. Keep an eye on this position battle to determine where you should select Marmol in your fantasy baseball draft.

# 3 - Position Battle Relief Pitcher for Baltimore Orioles 2009

One of the key position battles for the Orioles this spring training will be the closer role which features a pair of injury risks. Chris Ray, who was the team's closer in 2006 & 2007 missed all of 2008 with Tommy John surgery. The Orioles are hoping he can bounce back to his 2006 form where he had a 4-4 record with 33 saves and a 2.73 ERA in 66 innings of work. To help push Ray's performance this spring will be the Orioles 2007 closer, George Sherrill, who had a 3-5 record with 31 saves and a 4.73 ERA in 53.1 innings. Though Sherrill may be better suited for a setup role, he will have a chance to earn the closer spot if Ray falters. Though the Orioles may not reach the playoffs in 2009, either man should product solid numbers in the closer role and would be worth a look in the later rounds of your fantasy baseball draft.

# 4 - Position Battle Relief Pitcher for Texas Rangers 2009

The Rangers success in 2009 could very well hinge on who wins the closer role this spring training. The slight favorite going into camp will be Frank Francisco who made a name for himself in 2008 as the team's setup man where he earned a 3-5 record with 5 saves and a 3.13 ERA in 63.1 innings. His competition will be C.J. Wilson who was the Rangers closer in 2008 until an injury derailed his season. Prior to the injury, he had a 2-2 record with 24 saves and a 6.02 ERA in 46.1 innings with the Rangers. Rangers' management will be keeping a close eye on Wilson to see how he bounces back from his surgery and will lean towards Francisco to earn the closer position. With the weak division, the Ranger's closer could be a solid source of saves and worth a look late in your fantasy baseball draft.

# 5 - PositionBattleReliefPitcherTampaBay Rays 2009

The Rays will not be able to take anyone by surprise this season and will need consistency from the closer position in 2009 if they want a chance to return to the playoffs. The bullpen leader, Troy Percival, is up in years and will be hard pressed to repeat his 2008 performance of a 2-1 record with 28 saves and a 4.53 ERA in 45.2 innings. The man who stepped in nicely in 2008 was Dan Wheeler who finished the year with a 5-6 record with 13 saves and a solid 3.12 ERA in 66.1 innings. The dark horse candidate for the closer role of the Rays is Grant Balfour. In 2008, he finished with a 6-2 record and a 7.65 ERA in 24.2 innings of work but really shine for the Rays down the stretch in the post season. The 2008 Rays were not a one year wonder and will compete for the division again in 2009. Keep an eye on this position battle in spring training and if you can take a late round flier on Wheeler in your fantasy baseball draft.

Fantasy baseball championships are built upon solid pitching and these potential closers can be what makes or break you in 2009. Make sure to keep an eye on them throughout spring training and be prepared on the day of your fantasy baseball draft.

Statistics courtesy of CBSSportsline.com