2008 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers - Relief Pitchers

I believe in the philosophy that you don't spend high picks on relief pitchers because they tend to get hurt often and their replacements aren't that much below them, in terms of fantasy value. They still get saves, after all. You just have be quick on the trigger when you hear about a closer getting hurt. So, the true "sleepers" at this position are the guys who aren't yet closers. For an idea of who's in line to grab the closer's role if the main guy goes down, check out Closer Watch.

Sleepers
1. George Sherrill - I just don't see who else those crazy Orioles could think about using at closer. I love Sherrill's K rate.

2. Brian Wilson - The Giants are going to suck big ol' Bay-Area balls. But Wilson won't. He's very anti-ball-sucking. That's probably something you didn't know about him. Draft Wilson with the expectation that he won't get a ton of opportunities, but he'll take advantage of those he does get.

3. C.J. Wilson - Good K/9 rate, but he's really nothing to get all that excited about. But if the Rangers keep tossing him out there in the ninth, he'll get saves and that's good enough to mention him here.

Semi-Sleeper
Rafael Soriano - I care a great deal for Soriano's K rate. I have him ranked as the seventh-best closer in baseball, right after Joe Nathan.

Deep Sleeper
Brandon Morrow - There's some question as to whether the M's will continue to use him in the bullpen or turn him into a starter. With the acquisition of Erik Bedard, you have to lean toward Morrow staying in the bullpen. Obviously, J.J. Putz is a stud. But if he goes down, Morrow is an overpowering pitcher who could thrive in the closer's role. He just needs to cut down on the walks (50 in 63 1/3 innings).