While it's always hard to find HBD's equivalent of an Eckersley, it is not that hard to find pitchers who will perform acceptably in the closer role.

There having been lots of seasons when I didn't have a great closer, I discovered pitchers I otherwise wanted to use as SuA's had better numbers as closers. I came to the conclusion that the less time a pitcher is on the mound, the less chance he has of being exposed, so to speak. Perhaps the closer role minimizes in-game fatigue.

If by "closer role" you mean "only pitching one inning", then I agree that it would have an effect on minimizing exposure.

I always try to have a stud closer if I can....yeah I know I am probably not getting as much use out of him as I possibly can, but I like knowing that I can shut games down at the end, and it makes the game more enjoyable for me seeing those save stats even though I know how meaningless the save stat is.

Besides, every team I have been to the WS with so far has had that stud closer....coincidence? Maybe....maybe not? Muahahahaha