Three Closer Predictions for 2010

Kerry Wood saves 20+ games.  The news of Wood's fantasy uselessness is greatly exaggerated.  I personally feel like there is an 80% chance that Wood gets the closer job back.  I know it is trendy to say Wood is toast, but his replacement Chris Perez's career numbers are not exactly confidence inspiring: 98  innings, 49 walks, 110 K, a 3.92 ERA.  Why is everyone so in love with Perez?  He's going to get killed by his own penchant for giving up walks.

Koji Uejara will close at some point and do very well.  MGonzo has experienced a loss of velocity.  If he continues to get hammered, Koji will get a shot to be the closer.  He's proved he can close in Japan and he's proved he can get MLB hitters out by throwing up a 1.18 whip last year.

Ryan Madson will save more than 20 games.

One-stop Shopping For Kawakami-san and Uehara-san

I have no idea if these two pitchers will be useful fantasy-wise in 2009 and I don't think anyone else does either. When I don't know what the heck I'm talking about, I try to read as many other confidently-written articles by other people who don't what the heck their talking about. I find that I've been reading a lot lately.

Here is a collection of the most interesting information I could find on these two players:

Kawakami-san:

Ranked 75th best starting pitcher by MLB.com

Has 3.78 K/BB over eleven seasons in Japan.

He has the best cutter in Japanese baseball.

ESPN says: "Kawakami played in a pitcher's park in Japan, and there's some concern he might be susceptible to home runs. Regardless, he's an upgrade for the Braves, who hope for innings."

Expect Kuroda, but in a less favorable division and park.

Worth a 19th round pick?

Merely an above average MLB player?

Uehara-san:

Ranked 124th starting pitcher by MLB.com

Keith Law of ESPN thinks Uehara is a bad fit for the Orioles.

Uehara has given up only 195 walks in 1,549 career innings in Japan. Which is absurdly good.

His scouting report

ESPN says he'll rely on low walks, ground balls and "veteran craftiness," whatever that means.

Some Uehara projections

Conclusions: Both are getting towards the end of their careers but both are interesting to me because they don't walk anyone.