Off-Season Closer Analysis: Toronto Blue Jays

Welcome Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays and they continue their streak of new opening day closers.  Santos was acquired in the off-season in a trade with the White Sox.  The Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has set up the bullpen for another season of high expectations and disappointing results.  So far in the off-season, the Blue Jays have added with Santos, Jason Frasor and Darren Oliver.

Sergio Santos will see plenty of action in the Jays bullpen and he will keep his starving fantasy managers happy.  However, I’d trade him by mid-season when the expected decline of the Blue Jays will come.  While Santos proved to be an outstanding closer he is still limited in service time and if traded could end up a setup man.  Make no mistake, the Blue Jays are built to win, they just never do.

While Santos did implode in September of last season, watching his ERA balloon from 2.63 to 3.55, he was incredibly effective the rest of the season. With only two years in his young career, he did surpass his rookie season by 12 innings and was likely a little tired with the role change.  Expect that not to impact him in 2012.  This is Santo’s second stint with the Blue Jays. He was traded to the Blue Jays from the Diamondbacks back when Santos was an infielder.

2012 Fantasy Draft Analysis: Santos won’t be a highly sought after closer and in fact he could be downright ignored most of the draft.  He should be there in round 16.  If he is, grab him as your #2 closer.