Who Will Be the National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year in 2007?

The Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award is handed out to the best closer in each league. In my predictions for the American League winner I mentioned that it was a pretty loaded race. Francisco Rodriguez, Huston Street, Mariano Rivera, B.J. Ryan, Joe Nathan, J. J. Putz and many more. The National League isn't quite as competitive. If a few players in particular don't either rebound from a bad season or gain a closing role then the list of good National League closers could actually be quite sad.

Tom Gordon has a pretty good season as a reliever last season but I think the Phillies might drop to second in the division behind the Braves, that and the Phillies offense will score too many runs for Gordon to get a save opportunity a lot of nights. Chad Cordero is a good closer but the Nationals aren't going to win enough games for him to compete for the saves lead. Even the defending Champion St. Louis Cardinals could miss the playoffs this year and not give Jason Isringhausen enough save opportunities. Under the right circumstances there could be a few good closers though.

5. Brian Fuentes - Brian Fuentes is the first closer in Rockies history to save 30 games in two consecutive seasons. Fuentes got to 30 saves even though the Rockies have had losing seasons the last two years. This season the Rockies offense should be very explosive as Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe continue to improve. The offense should make the Rockies a contender in the West and the more games they win the more games Fuentes will save.

4. Trevor Hoffman - Trevor Hoffman is still going strong after becoming the all time leader and saves and leading the National League in saves last year. I think Hoffman will take a step back this year because he is getting older and the Padres aren't going to win the division again.