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Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat - AL
by Tim Heaney
on August 23, 2010 @ 14:30:00
PDT
Follow @Tim_Heaney
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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
Baltimore OriolesCloser: Committee Understudy: Koji Uehara, Mike Gonzalez Lurkers: Alfredo Simon Manager Buck Showalter called upon Uehara for the closure Saturday, and with the successful conversion solidified that this is a committee setup. Since July 5, Uehara boasts a 0.50 ERA with 20 K's in 18 innings. The righty had closing experience in Japan (32 saves with the Yomiuri Giants in 2007), so he should receive a decent look. Pick him up wherever possible.
"(Uehara is) pitching well. Sometimes that situation may show up differently," Showalter said. "We have some people capable of (closing). They haven't been as consistent. He's certainly been consistent." Gonzalez, who carries a 2.25 ERA in 13 games since his late July return, warrants ownership in most leagues because of the left-handed situational card he holds. Showalter said he'd be going with a situational and availability approach, but even though he can't be ruled out entirely, this move hurts Simon the most. Given his shaky performance (5.73 ERA since June and a horrid August stretch), his value was mainly based on save chances. Now, that's far from a guarantee. Job security score: 1 Health score: 4 Mound meetings
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: AL | NLFantasy baseball closer depth charts: AL | NLAbout Tim Heaney
Tim's work has been featured by USA Today/Sports Weekly, among numerous publications, and recognized as a finalist in FSWA's awards. The Boston University alum competes in Tout Wars and LABR and has won numerous industry leagues in both baseball and football. During baseball and football season, he's on The Reality Check with Glenn Clark every Wednesday on 1570 AM WNST in Baltimore. He hits the airwaves every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio, where he often crashes other shows, as well. Don't miss these great reports....
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