Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat - AL

by Bryce McRae on June 21, 2010 @ 16:00:00 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.

Key

Job security (JS) score	1 (unstable) to 5 (untouchable)
Health (H) score	1 (injury-prone) to 5 (durable)

Baltimore Orioles

Closer: Alfredo Simon

Understudy: David Hernandez

Disabled list: Mike Gonzalez (shoulder)

Friday, Hernandez was called on to lock down his third career save. A four-pitch walk started off the inning, which ended with a "BS" in the decision column for Hernandez. He gave up four hits and allowed two runs.

In the previous inning, Simon had been used against two batters. He struck them both out. When another save situation presented itself Saturday, interim manager Juan Samuel used Simon. He gave up one run on one hit and one walk.

Simon: back in business ... for now

The plan was to ease Simon back into closing. He's back as the ninth-inning option, per Samuel. His skills are stronger than Hernandez's, anyway, so he was always the safer, long-term bet. If available, pick him up. Hernandez would be next in line if Simon needs a day off.

Gonzalez is scheduled for a simulated game today and could pitch in a couple of Gulf Coast games before starting a minor league rehab assignment in a week to 10 days. He could return in the O's final road trip before the All-Star break.

Job security score: 2

Health score: 4

Mound meetings

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen called on J.J. Putz in the ninth yesterday with a three-run lead. Putz struck out two in the inning for his first save in over a year. The save boost is nice for AL-only owners. Is Putz pulling even with Matt Thornton for backup duties to Bobby Jenks?
Jenks has been outstanding this month and was unavailable because of general soreness - nothing to worry about.
Seattle Mariners closer David Aardsma has been drawing a lot of interest, and with the M's seemingly out of it in the AL West, he could be moved as the trade deadline nears. Brandon League can be speculated on if you desperately need saves. League could grab a save chance or two this week; Aardsma will leave the team when his wife goes into labor. She was due yesterday.
Kevin Gregg recorded two perfect saves Friday and Saturday for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has saved four straight since his four-run meltdown June 1.
The Tampa Bay Rays' Rafael Soriano blew a save Saturday, though it was a tough spot. Soriano was brought in after a run had already been scored and with two runners on. A fielding error at third then allowed one runner to score before he sat down the next two batters.

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.