2008 Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet Rankings: Relief Pitcher

All rankings are based off of a standard 5x5 rotisserie scoring system (wins, saves, strikeouts, era, whip) in mixed AL/NL leagues. For additional fantasy information on players and their teams, click on the team name link after each player to view a fantasy team preview for that team in 2008. Good luck in your league this season!

BUST = player will register far below their 2007 stat totals
BREAKOUT = player will surpass expectations and/or have a career year in 2008
SLEEPER = player will be a late round pick or go undrafted and has a good chance of producing fantasy worthy stats in 2008

1. Jonathan Papelbon - Boston Red Sox
Dominant.

2. Francisco Rodriguez - Los Angeles Angels
Rodriguez, Papelbon. Papelbon, Rodriguez. Both are deserving of the number one spot.

3. JJ Putz - Seattle Mariners
Became an elite closer in '07.

4. Joe Nathan - Minnesota Twins
Has been an elite closer since '04.

5. Mariano Rivera - New York Yankees
Has been an elite closer since 1997!

6. Billy Wagner - New York Mets
Gee who isn't an elite closer? Wagner has only had 1 season out of 13 where his ERA was above 2.85.

7. Jose Valverde - Houston Astros BUST
A breakout performance in '07 will be tough to match in '08.

8. Huston Street - Oakland Athletics
If only he could get over his recent injury problems.

9. Trevor Hoffman - San Diego Padres
Another elite closer who has posted 40 plus saves and sub 3.00 ERA's in past 4 seasons.

10. Francisco Cordero - Cincinnati Reds BUST
The Reds won't win as many games as Milwaukee did in '07.

11. Bobby Jenks - Chicago White Sox
An improved offense should give Jenks more save opportunities in '08.

12. Jason Isringhausen - St. Louis Cardinals

13. Chad Cordero - Washington Nationals
The best fantasy option in Washington.

14. Takashi Saito - Los Angeles Dodgers
Broxton is breathing down his neck.

15. BJ Ryan - Toronto Blue Jays
If Ryan can come back from Tommy John surgery he will be dominant once again.

16. Brad Lidge - Philadelphia Phillies

17. Todd Jones - Detroit Tigers
Terrible stats, but somehow he still manages to get saves.

18. Rafeal Soriano - Atlanta Braves BREAKOUT
Has the potential to become a great closer.