How Good is Astros Closer Jose Valverde?

The Houston Astros have traditionally featured some pretty nasty closers.  Last season, the latest installment came in the form of Jose Valverde.  Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Valverde started the season slowly, but converted 17 of his final 18 save opportunities in August and September with an 0.76 ERA.  He finished with 44 saves, giving him 91 saves in the last two seasons.  So the question is: Where does Valverde rank on the list of Astros closers?  Here is how I would rank them:

1. BILLY WAGNER (2.53 ERA, 225 saves with HOU) The babyfaced assassin had some amazing years in Houston, including the 1999 campaign. That year, Wagner was 39 of 42 in save situations with a 1.57 ERA and 106 strikeouts in just 66 innings.  He posted a career-high 44 saves in 2003 with a cool 1.78 ERA. Wagner was a three-time All-Star during his time in Houston.
2. DAVE SMITH (2.53 ERA, 199 saves with HOU) From 1987 to 1989, Smith allowed only 3 homers in 153 appearances.  He was a critical ingredient of the postseason run in 1986 when he finished with a career-high 33 saves.  His ERA was below 3.00 in each of his final seven seasons in Houston.
3. JOE SAMBITO (2.42 ERA, 72 saves with HOU) Arm injuries shortened the career of this dominant lefthander.  He was an NL All-Star in 1979 while posting a 1.78 ERA and 22 saves.  He also notched 40 2/3 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run that year.  From 1979 to 1982, Sambito posted a 1.88 ERA and 53 saves.
4. BRAD LIDGE (3.30 ERA, 123 saves with HOU) "Lights Out" Lidge helped lead the 'Stros to the 2005 World Series.  That year he finished with a career-high 42 saves and was voted to the NL All-Star team.  He punched out an NL-record 157 batters in relief in 2004 while posting a miniscule 1.90 ERA.
5. JOSE VALVERDE (3.38 ERA, 44 saves with HOU) Valverde is an intimidator on the mound.  If he can hang around for a few seasons, he could climb the list.  The two-time National League leader in saves may just wind up the Astros all-time saves king.

Anyone hoping for a deal involving Valverde this offseason really needs to think about what they're asking for.  He is one of the only sure things we have right now and you would have to look long and hard to find a player that is as productive as Papa Grande.  Let's not make the same mistakes we made by letting Wagner and Lidge go....let's lock this guy up for the long haul.