It's pretty cool writing for a brand new web site, if only because you can come up with "firsts". And since we're at the halfway mark of the baseball season in terms of games played, and less than two weeks away from baseball's annual All-Star Game, there's no better time than the present to introduce the first annual "Pecking Order All-Stars". Has a nice ring to it, right? Some of these players will inevitably make the real All-Star Game and some won't. Fortunately, my choices aren't limited because of roster size or popularity contests. To be clear, this isn't one of those, "how each player will perform from here on out" lists; it's all about statistical performance through today's date. In an effort not to leave anyone out of the festivities (and to still cover the majority of closers throughout baseball), I’ve created some special teams to honor those who might not have made the AL and NL squads. The ballots are in and the people (me) have voted. Without further ado, I now present the 2008 Pecking Order All-Stars! (Drum roll) 2008 Pecking Order American League All-Stars  | | K. Rod is looking solid so far in 2008. Photo Credit: Toasterb |
Francisco Rodriguez, LAA
Let's be honest, we draft closers for one reason -- saves. And no one has more than K-Rod. Granted, he hasn't struck out as many batters as we're accustomed to, but there's no arguing against a guy who's currently on pace for 62 saves (with only 33 Ks in 35.1 IP, perhaps they should change his nickname to “Save-Rod”).
32-for-34, 35.1 IP, 33 Ks, 2.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
Next in line: Scot Shields
Third in line: Jose Arredondo Jonathan Papelbon, BOS
As dominant as Papelbon has been over the last few years, he’s never saved 40 games. He’s well on his way to reaching that mark this season. In fact, he could even get 50.
24-for-28, 36 IP, 47 Ks, 2.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
Next in line: Hideki Okajima
Third in line: Manny Delcarmen Mariano Rivera, NYY
Mariano picked up a loss in a non-save situation against the Rangers this week, but a perfect 22-for-22 in saves, an unbelievable 42:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a sub-1.00 ERA are plenty enough to help him make this team.
22-for-22, 36.1 IP, 42 Ks, 0.74 ERA, 0.55 WHIP
Next in line: Kyle Farnsworth
Third in line: Jose Veras Joe Nathan, MIN
Nathan quietly continues to put up numbers with the best of them.
22-for-24, 33.2 IP, 37 Ks, 1.34 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
Next in line: Matt Guerrier
Third in line: Jesse Crain Joakim Soria, KC
Soria is having an awesome year in his first full season as a closer.
22-for-23, 36 IP, 39 Ks, 1.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
Next in line: Robinson Tejeda
Third in line: Ron Mahay Key Reserves George Sherrill, BAL
It’s hard not to put a guy with 27 saves in the starting lineup, but after a rough month of June, I couldn’t justify it.
27-for-31, 37.1 IP, 38 Ks, 3.62 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
Next in line: Jim Johnson
Third in line: Chad Bradford Bobby Jenks, CHW
Jenks is at the forefront of a bullpen that’s been a key part of the White Sox's success in 2008.
18-for-21, 32.1 IP, 19 Ks, 1.95 ERA, 1.11 WHIP
Next in line: Octavio Dotel
Third in line: Scott Linebrink B.J. Ryan, TOR
No one expected B.J. to be this good after Tommy John surgery.
16-for-18, 28 IP, 31 Ks, 2.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
Next in line: Scott Downs
Third in line: Jesse Carlson 2008 Pecking Order National League All-Stars Billy Wagner, NYM
If you take away his three blown saves between June 8-12, Wagner has only allowed one earned run in 31.2 IP (0.28 ERA). That’s just ridiculous.
19-for-24, 34.0 IP, 40 Ks, 1.85 ERA, 0.91 WHIP
Next in line: Duaner Sanchez (he got hurt this week when a line drive hit him in the knee, but it looks like he’ll avoid the DL.)
Third in line: Aaron Heilman Kerry Wood, CHC
Wood has thrived as a closer in 2008. Kudos to Kerry for staying healthy.
20-for-24, 40.2 IP, 51 Ks, 2.43 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
Next in line: Carlos Marmol
Third in line: Bob Howry Brad Lidge, PHI
Lidge has returned to dominance, as arguably the best closer in the National League this season.
19-for-19, 33 IP, 44 Ks, 0.82 ERA, 1.06 WHIP
Next in line: Tom Gordon
Third in line: J.C. Romero Jose Valverde, HOU
I was tempted to leave him off the squad, but he’s one of only two closers in baseball with over 20 saves and over 50 Ks. Besides, the high ERA and WHIP are the result of just a handful of outings.
22-for-26, 40.1 IP, 50 Ks, 4.24 ERA, 1.39 WHIP
Next in line: Doug Brocail
Third in line: Oscar Villareal Key Reserves Matt Capps, PIT
Had Capps not blown five saves in the last three weeks, he probably would’ve been a starter on this team. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Good thing Capps was on the reserve list, because he was declared as out for eight weeks after this column was completed.]
17-for-22, 40.1 IP, 29 Ks, 3.12 ERA, 1.07 WHIP
Next in line: Damaso Marte
Third in line: John Grabow Francisco Cordero, CIN
Cordero is flying under the radar with a fine season.
15-for-18, 36.2 IP, 40 Ks, 2.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
Next in line: David Weathers
Third in line: Jeremy Affeldt Takashi Saito, LAD
It’s not his fault he has only 14 saves. He’s been stellar.
13-for-16, 34.2 IP, 48 Ks, 2.34 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Next in line: Jonathan Broxton
Third in line: Joe Beimel 2008 Waiver-Wire All-Stars Jon Rauch, WAS
Few have been better than Rauch since he took over the closer’s role in late April, as he has gone 14-for-17 with a 1.60 ERA. With Chad Cordero now out for the season, he’s a lock to finish the year at closer.
17-for-22, 43.1 IP, 40 Ks, 2.49 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
Next in line: Joel Hanrahan
Third in line: Saul Rivera Troy Percival, TB
Percival is currently on the DL with a bum hammy, but I don’t think anybody expected to see him pitch this well over the first half.
19-for-21, 28 IP, 30 Ks, 3.54 ERA, 0.96 WHIP
Next in line: Dan Wheeler (Rays' manager Joe Maddon says it’ll be a timeshare for ninth-inning duties until Percival is back)
Third in line: Grant Balfour (picked up a four-out save this week; more importantly, fantasy expert and good friend Nando DiFino is a HUGE fan) Brandon Lyon, ARI
If there’s one player on this entire list who I had no belief in as a reliable closer, it was Lyon. Excuse me now, while I go eat some crow.
17-for-20, 33 IP, 26 Ks, 2.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
Next in line: Chad Qualls
Third in line: Tony Pena Salomon Torres, MIL
When I said in May that Torres would be the guy if Eric Gagne went down, people laughed at me. It hurt and I cried, but I’ve also had the last laugh.
14-for-16, 45.2 IP, 30 Ks, 2.56 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Next in line: Eric Gagne (Gagne was activated from the DL last weekend but hasn’t pitched in a game since)
Third in line: Guillermo Mota Ryan Franklin, STL
Franklin hasn’t been lights out filling in for Jason Isringhausen, but he’s been solid. With Izzy still struggling, it might not be a short-term thing either.
11-for-15, 38.1 IP, 26 Ks, 2.82 ERA, 1.43 WHIP
Next in line: Jason Isringhausen
Third in line: Chris Perez 2008 All-Trade Team Brian Fuentes, COL
Fuentes has been horrible lately, giving up seven earned runs in his last two-thirds of an inning. Ouch. What hurts even more is that the small window to sell high on him is closing rapidly.
13-for-17, 32 IP, 28 Ks, 3.94 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
Next in line: Taylor Buchholz
Third in line: Manny Corpas Kevin Gregg, FLA
He’s not only a trade candidate in real life, he also a sell-high in our game. Why? Look no further than his 32:25 K/BB ratio.
14-for-18, 38.2 IP, 32 Ks, 2.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Next in line: Joe Nelson
Third in line: Justin Miller Huston Street, OAK
We’ll keep him here for now, but with the team still in contention, it’s looking like he might stick with the As. For fantasy purposes, the disparity in WHIP and ERA makes him a good buy-low option.
15-for-18, 35.1 IP, 38 Ks, 4.08 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
Next in line: Keith Foulke
Third in line: Santiago Casilla 2008 Joe Borowski All-Stars Brian Wilson, SF
Wilson is leading his league in saves, despite an ERA over 4.00 and a WHIP hovering around 1.50. Sounds a lot like Joe Borowski in 2007, no?
23-for-25, 32.2 IP, 38 Ks, 4.41 ERA, 1.47 WHIP
Next in line: Tyler Walker
Third in line: Keiichi Yabu C.J. Wilson, TEX
With Eddie Guardado and Joaquin Benoit both hurting (and Benoit struggling big-time), it appears C.J. may keep this gig longer than I ever expected.
19-for-21, 36.1 IP, 28 Ks, 4.46 ERA, 1.40 WHIP
Next in line: Eddie Guardado
Third in line: Joaquin Benoit Todd Jones, DET
12 Ks in 32 IP?? Hey Todd, can you hear Joel Zumaya’s footsteps?
15-for-16, 32 IP, 12 Ks, 4.78 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
Next in line: Joel Zumaya
Third in line: Fernando Rodney Joe Borowski, CLE
It’s funny because Borowski almost didn’t make this list. If past history tells me anything though, it’s that Eric Wedge will let him figure this thing out. [EDITOR'S NOTE: In a busy week of closer activity, Borowski was sent down to AAA on Friday due to his shoddy performance, and the team said they're planning to go with a committee at closer for now]
6-for-10, 16.2 IP, 9 Ks, 7.56 ERA, 1.92 WHIP
Next in line: Rafael Betancourt
Third in line: Masa Kobayashi
Paul Bourdett apologizes to Trevor Hoffman, Mike Gonzalez, and Brandon Morrow for their omission from this column. Whether they should be happy or sad about that is still up in the air. Got a question or comment? Send Paul an email at
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