Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat - AL

by Bryce McRae on May 17, 2010 @ 16:30:00 PDT

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.

Baltimore Orioles

Closer: Alfredo Simon

Understudy: Koji Uehara

Disabled list: Mike Gonzalez

Simon blew his first save in six chances Saturday night. He walked one and gave up three hits en route to a four-run ninth. The crucial moment came when Simon left a splitter that the Cleveland Indians' Austin Kearns hit for a three-run homer.

The O's should stick with Simon - for now

Dave Trembley wouldn't question Simon's pitch selection, at least publicly, but he reiterated his belief in the closer:

"For me right there, he's the best guy for that situation, facing Kearns. He got himself in trouble, you get yourself out of it. I think you go power against power. It's worked. He made a bad pitch."

Simon shouldn't be going anywhere soon, but Uehara could be added in AL-only leagues for speculative owners.

Gonzalez (shoulder) threw 30 pitches in a side session Saturday, his first mound work, and will throw an inning of live batting practice Monday and another inning Thursday. Keep an eye on him in AL-only leagues for now.

Job security score: 2

Health score: 4

Mound meetings

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen brought out lefty Matt Thornton for a save opp Saturday, living up to his word that he'll be choosing his closer based on the matchups. Thornton sat down Kansas City Royals switch hitter Alberto Callaspo and lefty Mitch Maier to earn his first save of the year.
Righty Bobby Jenks should still see plenty of chances, but Thornton needs to be added in all leagues. He should garner some save chances and for a long time has been a helper in ratios, too.

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.