Where is the Rivera option?

With all respect to BJ (who was fabulous last year), I'd rank Joe Nathan and K-Rod just ahead of Ryan.  Mariano (when healthy is on par, but Mariano Rivera has been injured a lot lately. Gagne in 2002 and 2003 was certainly better, but at this point, I'd much rather have Ryan.

If I had to rank the current top closers:

1. JOE NATHAN

2. K-ROD

3. BJ RYAN

4. MARIANO RIVERA

5 (tie) TREVOR HOFFMAN

BILLY WAGNER

7. BOBBY JENKS

8. HUSTON STREET

 

Mo is the only other.  BJ has moxie and a glint in his eye.  And cojones.  All important closer features.

I agree with Dan's top 3 and the order he ranks them.

Honestly, I went from the list of 2006 saves leaders in compiling the options, but probably wouldn't have included Rivera anyway -- I think that's such a no-brainer that it'd taint the results. But yes, I should probably re-word the question.

Nathan -- doh! I just missed him. My bad.

Agreed with Joanna on all counts.  Mariano Rivera (as I've made the point before) has a good argument to be the best pitcher in the history of baseball.  BJ's not quite that good, but I'd take him over any other closer because I love the way he pitches and the way he carries himself.

Joe Nathan for the win. I don't think it's particularly close either.

I chose K-Rod because of his dominance combined with his age and salary. All the other top closers seem to be 30+ and he's going to be 25 this year.

I know I know, statistics says this is an improper and unbalanced reporting of statistics, but what the heck, it's fun.

This is a list of the career year (by ERA+) for each of the guys on this list.

1. BJ Ryan 343

2. Eric Gagne 335

3. Mariano Rivera 323

4. Huston Street 261

5. Trevor Hoffman 258

6. K Rod 254

7. Jason Isringhausen 200

8. Bobby Jenks 162

And hey, would you look at that, Papelbon posted an ERA+ of 500 last year.

I took Ryan. Gagne and Hoffman and Isringhausen have been good in the past, but I'd rather have Ryan's future. Jenks and Street are fine, but I like Ryan better. As for Rodriguez, every time I see him pitch he loses the game.