Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat - NL

July 8, 2010 @ 11:30:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Tim Heaney

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.

Mound meetings

• Still best bet despite stumble

  So much for Chad Qualls' resurgence. The righty came on in the ninth yesterday with the Arizona Diamondbacks down 5-3 and gave up three runs. The damage came on a three-run homer by the Chicago Cubs' Aramis Ramirez. It would probably be best to avoid this situation unless you're desperately chasing saves. Qualls remains the best bet, though the term "best" is thrown around lightly. Sam Demel, Aaron Heilman and Juan Gutierrez are likely all in play, though none deserve more than NL-only consideration.
  Don't chase him yet, but Jordan Norberto, with 2 1/3 scoreless innings since his call-up, could eventually enter the picture. Interim manager Kirk Gibson could be developing some trust in the lefty, who packs some heat.
• It doesn't sound like the Pittsburgh Pirates are actively shopping Octavio Dotel, but if another club is willing to overpay for him (or any of their late-inning relievers), a deal could happen. Evan Meek would likely take over as closer should Dotel be moved.
• Jason Motte was tagged with the blown save for the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday. Working in the eighth, Motte entered with two runners on and needing two outs. The first batter he faced, the Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler, hit a three-run jack to tie the game. Motte then put on two more before notching two K's to get out of the inning.
• Tip of the cap to San Diego Padres outfielder and fellow Canadian Matt Stairs, who tied a major league record with his 20th career pinch-hit homer. Last night's homer came off the Washington Nationals' Matt Capps, who surrendered three hits and one run but still managed his 23rd save in his first chance since June 22.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: AL | NL

Fantasy baseball closer depth charts: AL | NL

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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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