Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: AL
| NL
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts: AL
| NL
In fantasy baseball, the closer position remains volatile. Rarely does every
closer hang on to the job for an entire season - injuries, poor performance
and managerial decisions can cloud a team's bullpen picture.
Should you be concerned about a struggling stopper? Which relievers are climbing
the depth chart? Are any injuries popping up? KFFL.com's Fantasy
Baseball Closer Hot Seat keeps you informed when you're looking for
saves.
Key
| Job security (JS) score |
1 (unstable) to 5 (untouchable) |
| Health (H) score |
1 (injury-prone) to 5 (durable) |
Mound meetings
-
BAL doesn't like this Gonzo |
Baltimore Orioles closer Mike
Gonzalez worked into and out of a mess yesterday against the Tampa
Bay Rays. He followed two K's with a walk, a single and a walk. Manager
Dave Trembley had a contingency plan ready
(Cla Meredith) but allowed Gonzo to work through
it. The next batter (Ben Zobrist) popped out
to right. Gonzo needs to locate his pitches better. He also acknowledged being
too amped up while trying to make a good impression. Trembley realizes Gonzalez
is a bit high-strung on the mound. A perfect ninth would probably help quiet
any concerns.
- Frank Francisco blew a SVO for the
Texas Rangers Thursday against the Toronto
Blue Jays. He was also tagged with the loss. Francisco gave up a home
run to the rejuvenated Vernon Wells and a triple
to Lyle Overbay, among four hits and one walk
in the inning. His stuff wasn't any good, but at least he's not hurt.
- In that same game, Toronto manager Cito Gaston
again called on Jason Frasor in the
ninth. He also started warming up a reliever (southpaw Scott
Downs) after Frasor put the first man on for the second day in a row.
Frasor buckled down and earned his save, as he did yesterday. Gaston left
Frasor in, too, after a mound visit and with the left-handed Josh
Hamilton (the final out) up.
- Joakim Soria threw 32 pitches in
1 1/3 innings for the Kansas City Royals Wednesday.
Afterward, manager Trey Hillman reaffirmed
what he said this offseason: Soria won't be seeing many two-inning
save chances. The righty battled health problems and inconsistency last year,
at least in part because of usage volume and patterns. It's comforting if
Hillman can keep his word.
- Kerry Wood (back) was expected to
throw from 110 feet today. He's looking at a bullpen session early next week,
if all goes well. It's a step in the right direction. He should be on the
DL for at least three and a half more weeks; he wants to be smart and not
rush it.
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: AL
| NL
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts: AL
| NL
About Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.
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