Closing Time: Gather up your jackets, move it to the exits

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It's our last entry of the fantasy baseball season, a chance to say thanks and congratulations; a chance to swap war stories and swigs of Yoo-Hoo. I felt our regulars deserved a present on the way out and I couldn't get any Brad Evans memorabilia to raffle off, so here's the next-best thing: preliminary 2009 rankings.

Full disclosure, these are more for fun than anything; I'll wash my hands of these quickly as the hot-stove news comes down and we'll start from scratch in February. But it's always interesting to look ahead and speculate, and I invite you to come along for the ride. Your intelligent and respectful disagreement is always welcome.

Thanks to everyone who had a hand in Closing Time 2008 - the writers, the editors, the readers, the commenters, the Washington Nationals. It's been a blast.

Starting Pitchers

Comments: New landing spots matter more for pitchers, in my opinion, than hitters. There could be significant movement for some of these free agents, depending on where they sign . . . The Yanks say Chamberlain will be a full-time starter in 2009, at least this week that's the story . . . Ervin Santana's emergence was one of the more under-reported stories of 2008 . . . I bet you can get Wainwright a lot later than where I've slotted him. The KC guys should be a good value, too, they always are.

Relief Pitchers

Comments: If there's any position where it's almost pointless to rank the guys now, it's right here. You know how closer turnover goes . . . It doesn't really matter where I rank K-Rod, I know someone will want him more than I do in all of my leagues . . . Every so often you here whispers about Soria joining the rotation, but it looks like he's staying put for now . . . I'm curious to see how Joe Maddon plays things if Percival can't come back next year. Grant Balfour has the profile of a dominant closer, but Wheeler has the proven vet card that managers seem to like . . . Oakland might have the best bullpen in the league next year. Devine's numbers are almost too good to be true . . . Kevin Gregg almost certainly won't be back with the Marlins next year, so Lindstrom has the job to lose entering spring training.

First Base/DH

Comments: Cabrera's stats mostly came in garbage time, but wow, what a second half . . . Imagine the season Gonzalez will have when he finally escapes from San Diego . . . Kotchman leaves me cold, always has, probably always will . . . Delgado was gold for four months, and I don't know what we do with that.

Second Base

Comments: Ramirez's profile has "second year slump" written all over it, but I'll listen to the pro side from you, below . . . I think I'm over my Weeks fascination, finally . . . Ellis can be a sneaky multi-cat guy if he's healthy and in the right lineup . . . Murphy was exclusively an outfielder for the Mets this year, but it wouldn't surprise me if they give him a shot at the second-base gig.

Shortstop

Comments: Drew grew up in a hurry in the second half . . . You want to rank Jeter higher be my guest . . . The Tigers already announced they're not picking up Renteria's option. He's about to hit the cliff.

Third Base

Comments: Give Zimmerman a full year of health and we'll see a tasty line go up . . . Chipper is great for the 125 games you can expect from him, but he's not a six-month play . . I'd like to see more contact from Stewart, but he's firmly in their 2009 plans.

Outfield

Comments: Maybe it's just me, but I don't see as many exciting studs here as we're accustomed to, and that's even with Braun sliding to the outfield . . . I probably won't get a good price on those power-speed Nats, but you will. Big profit potential . . . I never know where to rank Dunn, let's just put that out there . . . Damon keeps beating the clock nicely and filling the line A to Z . . . The Braves did the right thing demoting Francouer, but he came back too quickly. Did the player really heed the message and learn the lesson?

Catcher

Comments: The Indians have an interesting position with two hitting catchers; a trade makes sense, but I'm not sure what the defensive expectations are for Martinez . . . It's never a question about Doumit's bat, it's the durability . . . Even in two-catcher leagues I'm done with Pudge for good. It was a heck of a ride . . . The Yankees have to regret that monster extension they gave to Posada a year ago; if he's not healthy enough to catch, you're not really getting a plus player . . . Check your position eligibility rules on Sandoval; he played more games at first and third than he did at catcher, but in some formats we can slide him behind the plate in 2009. It wil be interesting to see how the Giants use him.

It's been fun, amigos. Here's your exit music. Hope we helped you grab a pennant.

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Photos via Getty Images