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Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Fantasy Baseball: Closer Hot Seat

September 17, 2008 @ 08:17:27

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Herija C. Green

Down by the Inner Harbor, the local nine has rarely had an opportunity to put its fortunes in the hands of a ninth-inning specialist. Several clubs are accepting their fates for 2008, but they're taking the time to see what 2009 might be like with the new guard. Others may not have much to look forward to. Like sands through the hourglass, these are the waning days of Closer Hot Seat.

Key

Durability grade: 1 (very injury-prone) to 10 (extremely durable)

Job security grade: 1 (very shaky) to 10 (firm grasp)

Hot Seat: Injury Concerns

Baltimore Orioles

Closer: George Sherrill (shoulder), Jim Miller

Next in line: Jamie Walker

Other possibilities: Rocky Cherry

The O's activated Sherrill from the disabled list Thursday, Sept. 11; manager Dave Trembley said he probably wouldn't use Sherrill on back-to-back days. The southpaw made his first appearance since his activation Sunday, Sept. 14, and "looked rusty," per Trembley. No kidding. In one-third of an inning, Sherrill walked two and gave up two hits and three earned runs.

That might leave Miller as the first option when Sherrill is unavailable. Miller notched a save Thursday, the team's first in more than a month. In five innings, he has allowed two runs (none earned) and seven hits; he has issued three walks and struck out six. Miller also took over for Sherrill after the latter's poor outing, further suggesting Miller is the fallback option.

The O's generate so few save chances that perhaps only AL-only fantasy managers should care. Desperate times call for desperate measures, though.

Durability grade: 8

Job security grade: 9

Florida Marlins

Closer: Matt Lindstrom

Next in line: Joe Nelson

Other possibilities: Kevin Gregg (knee), Arthur Rhodes

Gregg said he feels fine and is ready to return to the closer's role. That was after he was summoned to relieve Nelson, who was subbing for an unavailable Lindstrom but had to leave with a leg cramp after recording the first two outs of the ninth. Gregg gave up an RBI double, and manager Fredi Gonzalez promptly turned to Rhodes to record the final out.

Why the quick hook? Gregg has essentially received word that the Fish want to evaluate Lindstrom for the rest of the season. Lindstrom, 28, has been working hard on his secondary pitches to complement his high-90s heat. This should be a glimpse of what to expect from Lindstrom in 2009.

Durability grade: 9

Job security grade: 9 (last week: 6)

Los Angeles Dodgers

Closer: Jonathan Broxton

Next in line: Takashi Saito (elbow)

Other possibilities: Chan Ho Park, Hong-Chih Kuo

Saito is back from the disabled list, but manager Joe Torre said that the right-hander won't close right away. Saito made his first appearance since his activation - and since July 12 - Monday, Sept. 15. He pitched a scoreless frame, walking one and fanning two. Saito noted that his velocity isn't yet quite where it should be. Torre hinted that he could reinsert Saito as closer, but the skipper wants to see his man pitch at least another pressure-free inning.

Broxton's days appear to be numbered, but Torre will probably play it safe with Saito, 38, who is coming back from elbow tendonitis. The role has suited Broxton, for the most part. Torre, who has a rep for being in the corner of his vets, has deferred to his youths in the outfield. With a fragile Saito, will he do the same in the 'pen? Probably not if Saito proves he's right.

Durability grade: 9

Job security grade: 6 (last week: 8)

Tampa Bay Rays

Closer: Troy Percival (back)

Next in line: Dan Wheeler

Other possibilities: Grant Balfour, Trever Miller, J.P. Howell

In his last appearance, Wednesday, Sept. 10, Percival left with tightness in his back. He was expected to miss a few days and perhaps be day-to-day for the rest of the year. The 39-year-old has been taking muscle relaxers, and manager Joe Maddon declared that Percy was available Monday, Sept. 15.

Wheeler shouldn't be available in any free-agent pools because the Rays conjure plenty of save opportunities; Percival is no lock to finish off games the rest of the way.

Durability grade: 4 (last week: 6)

Job security grade: 9

Hot Seat: Lackluster Performance

Arizona Diamondbacks

Closer: Chad Qualls

Next in line: Tony Pena

Other possibilities: Jon Rauch, Brandon Lyon

The D-backs finally pulled the plug on Lyon, except they didn't turn to Rauch, as many anticipated after the club dealt for him. Manager Bob Melvin said he tabbed Qualls for the rest of the year because the right-hander has been his most effective reliever for some time. Arizona is fighting for its playoff life.

Qualls has given up only two runs in his last 20 appearances, and he has nailed down two contests in the past five days. The first of the pair was in relief of an ineffective Lyon Friday, Sept. 12 - perhaps the straw that broke the Snake's back. Scoop up Qualls ASAP. Lyon holds value no longer.

Durability grade: 9

Job security grade: 9

Detroit Tigers

Closer: Fernando Rodney

Next in line: Kyle Farnsworth

Other possibilities: Bobby Seay, Ryan Perry

The Tigers' defense of a lead has been about as good as the Lions defense period. Manager Jim Leyland's club has saved 31 games and blown 25 chances.

Rodney blew a save opp for the second consecutive evening Tuesday, Sept. 16. The ninth inning began with a controversial at-bat. Leyland insists, as many believe, that Texas Rangers shortstop Michael Young struck out to begin the frame; instead, Young walked. Rodney then gave up a couple of hits, issued a couple of intentional walks and made Motown reach for its Excedrin.

Todd Jones (shoulder) isn't the answer; Joel Zumaya (shoulder) can't stick around long enough to read the question. Rodney, who's 10-for-16, is the best the Tigers have for the rest of 2008. Perhaps all they can do is hope that Perry, the club's first choice in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, brought a cheat sheet.

Durability grade: 8

Job security grade: 7

New York Mets

Closer: Luis Ayala

Next in line: Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano

Other possibilities: Scott Schoeneweis, Joe Smith

Former closer Billy Wagner (elbow) is now certainly out for the rest of the year. He underwent elbow surgery and will miss approximately one year, which means his days as a Met are essentially over. He may return late in 2009.

The news didn't seem to matter thanks to the work of Ayala - he recorded seven saves in eight chances before Sunday, Sept. 14. That fateful day, though, he blew a crucial contest by giving up three earned without recording a single out. New York hasn't had anyone in the 'pen as productive as Ayala since Wagner went down. That isn't saying much, but he should still have some leash. If the Mets' playoff hopes start to slip away, though, manager Jerry Manuel will likely throw short-term loyalty out the window.

Durability grade: 8

Job security grade: 7 (last week: 8)

St. Louis Cardinals

Closer: Chris Perez

Next in line: Ryan Franklin

Other possibilities: Kyle McClellan

Last week manager Tony La Russa announced that pitcher Chris Carpenter (shoulder) would be used in save situations when he was available. The Cards shut him down a few days later because of nerve irritation in the righty's shoulder.

We'll never know how well Perez learned to share in kindergarten, but it doesn't matter now. St. Louis has lost six in a row and is all but certain to miss the playoffs. La Russa may never officially name Perez his man, but the Cardinals are going to take a look at the future.

Durability grade: 9

Job security grade: 8

Seattle Mariners

Closer: J.J. Putz

Next in line: Roy Corcoran

Other possibilities: Sean Green, Randy Messenger, Mark Lowe

Putz nearly appears to be his old self. In the right-hander's last 11 appearances (9 2/3 innings), he's 6-for-7 in save opportunities. In that time he has given up a measly five hits, two walks and two earned runs while fanning 10.

The Mariners are married to Putz through next season, and he has a club option for 2010. Fantasy owners needn't worry for what's left of 2008, and they should consider Putz a high-upside No. 2 closer heading into 2009.

Durability grade: 7 (last week: 6)

Job security grade: 9 (last week: 8)