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Ranking MLB’s Top 10 Closers Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

Ranking MLB's Top 10 Closers Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

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Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into 2015, there should be quite a few quality closers on display, and narrowing down the best of the best can be a difficult task. Based on a combination of recent success, traditional and advanced metrics, however, ahead you will find MLB's top 10 door-slammers as we get ready for the upcoming season. As you might imagine, there were more than a few who narrowly missed the cut.

10. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays

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Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

10. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays

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Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

It is very true that Jake McGee has not been closing for very long and only has 20 career saves to his name, but his 1.89 ERA, 1.73 FIP, 0.90 WHIP and 2.6 fWAR from last season speak volume about the type of value he provides from the mound. According to Fangraphs, McGee's four-seam fastball was coming in at an average of 96.4 mph in 2014, and it was given a PITCHf/x value of 11.1. He is, however, expected to begin 2015 on the DL.

9. Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox

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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

9. Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox

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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Although Uehara may have had a little bit of a down year in 2014, the 39-year-old's 3.3 fWAR campaign from 2013 is still fresh enough to land him a spot on this list. Stretching back to the beginning of the 2012 season, Uehara ranks sixth among all qualified relief pitchers in baseball with a 5.5 fWAR over the past three seasons.

8. David Robertson, Chicago White Sox

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

8. David Robertson, Chicago White Sox

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Stepping into Mariano Rivera's shoes, David Robertson had a fantastic 2014 campaign for the New York Yankees, going 39-for-44 in save opportunities and posting a 13.43 K/9 in a 1.7 fWAR campaign. He was later rewarded with a four-year deal from the Chicago White Sox. Since the beginning of the 2012 season, Robertson's 5.0 fWAR is ranked eighth among all qualified relief pitchers in the game.

7. Jonathan Papelbon, Philadelphia Phillies

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Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

7. Jonathan Papelbon, Philadelphia Phillies

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Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Since joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012, former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has only been worth 4.0 fWAR, but he still ranks third among active leaders with 325 saves. Despite losing velocity, the 34-year-old's 2014 campaign was quite arguably his best since leaving Boston, posting a 2.04 ERA, 2.53 FIP and a 0.90 WHIP in a 1.7 fWAR campaign.

6. Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics

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Robert Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

6. Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics

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Robert Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, Sean Doolittle may only have 25 saves in his career, and 22 of those came just last year, but the left-hander has quickly emerged as one of the game's top closers. The 28-year-old posted a 2.73 ERA and a 1.71 FIP in a 2.4 fWAR campaign last year. Since the beginning of the 2012 season, Doolittle has been worth a very impressive 5.7 fWAR. His status for Opening Day remains in question, but the A's also have Tyler Clippard.

5. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers

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Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers

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Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

At only 27 years of age, Kenley Jansen has already racked up 106 saves. In 2014, the right-hander threw to a 2.76 ERA, 1.91 FIP and posted a 13.91 K/9 in a 2.0 fWAR campaign. Since the beginning of the 2012 season, Jansen's has a 6.1 fWAR, which is terrific for a reliever. The Los Angeles Dodgers were recently dealt a bit of a blow when it was announced that Jansen would be missing 8-to-12 weeks with a foot injury.

4. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates

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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

4. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates

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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In 2013, one of the elements that brought the Pittsburgh Pirates back to relevance was their lights-out bullpen, and the now soon-to-be 30-year-old Mark Melancon was a part of that. Over the past two seasons, Melancon has posted a 1.65 ERA, 1.86 FIP and a 2.26 xFIP. His 8.94 K/9 over that stretch may not be quite as high as other elite closers, but his 4.4 fWAR over the past two seasons ties him for first in the NL among qualified relievers.

3. Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals

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3. Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals

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Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Not unlike the Pirates, a big part of the Kansas City Royals' long-awaited return to their winning ways can be attributed to their bullpen. Over the past two seasons, Greg Holland has absolutely ruled the ninth inning in KC, putting up a 1.32 ERA, 1.59 FIP and a 13.43 K/9. He has also accumulated 5.4 fWAR over that same two-year period, which leads all qualified relievers in the majors.

2. Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds

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2. Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds

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Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past two seasons, hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman leads all qualified relievers in baseball with a ridiculous 16.67 K/9. He may, however, walk a few more batters than most would prefer, posting a 4.05 BB/9 over the same time period. Over the past three years, his 7.6 fWAR ties him for second in all of baseball among those qualified.

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves

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Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

1. Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves

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Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Still yet to reach 27 years of age, Craig Kimbrel has already racked up an astonishing 186 career saves. Last year, he had a microscopic ERA of 1.61, which actually happened to be a three-year high. Since the beginning of the 2012 campaign, Kimbrel has posted a 1.27 ERA, a 1.52 FIP and a 14.53 K/9. His 7.8 fWAR over the past three years leads all qualified relief pitchers in baseball.

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