Can Brett Cecil supplant former teammate Casey Janssen as the Blue Jays' closer? (USATSI)
Can Brett Cecil supplant former teammate Casey Janssen as the Blue Jays' closer? (USATSI)

Play the ultimate Fantasy Baseball Game
featuring Player and League Rewards!

Positional rankings | Top 300 | Podcasts!

For the first time in four seasons, Casey Janssen won't be the Blue Jays' primary closer, and given how last season went, that could work out just fine. Janssen blew five of 30 save opportunities, ran up a 3.94 ERA and started his season more than a month late due to a back strain. While it's not clear who will inherit Janssen's role, whoever gets the nod could wind up being widely coveted in Fantasy circles.

The Jays have been rumored to be pursuing trade possibilities, including Greg Holland and Jonathan Papelbon, and either would certainly have greater appeal than Janssen. The in-house options aren't bad either. Rookie Aaron Sanchez got a brief trial in the role late last season, and he was superb, converting his three save chances and posting a 1.09 ERA. Brett Cecil, however, may have the best shot at winning the job, and should he do just that, he could be superb. The former starter has morphed into a strikeout and ground ball machine, and last season he amassed an incredible 17 percent swinging strike rate.

Given these choices, it's hard to imagine the Jays starting the season without a lockdown closer. Hopefully for the sake of Fantasy owners, they will offer a sign as to which reliever will get the nod sooner rather than later.