Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat - AL
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
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Valverde might dance with extra help |
The Detroit Tigers called on Jose Valverde yesterday. He obliged with a scoreless save as he worked around one hit. "Papa Grande" has now pitched four of the last five days - only two have come in save sitches.
Detroit is keeping tabs on Seattle Mariners relievers David Aardsma and Brandon League. If the Tigs acquire one of them - or some other relief arm - maybe they can ease off Valverde in non-closure work, thereby possibly easing Valverde's statistical drop-off.
- Mike Gonzalez made his 2010 return for the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, allowing a hit and a walk but escaping with two outs of shutout baseball. He'll still be worked into pressure situations and remains the backup to closer Alfredo Simon.
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat - 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
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Why is J-Brox coughing up leads? |
What a nauseating week for Jonathan Broxton (illness). The righty was held out of Thursday action because of reported stomach sickness. The timing probably didn't hurt, though. Fantasy ratio darling Hong-Chih Kuo stepped in for the closure, working around a walk to fan two for his third save of the year.
Broxton has a chance to come back Friday. For the long term, Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Joe Torre shot down the idea of switching Broxton and Kuo's roles.
- A report says several MLB teams believe the Pittsburgh Pirates would install Joel Hanrahan as closer if they can trade Octavio Dotel. Meek has had a better overall season, but Hanny has been beasting since May ended (1.71 ERA, 0.94 WHIP).
Meek remains the better speculative target because of his consistency throughout the season, but don't dismiss Hanrahan.
- Brad Lidge wrapped up the Philadelphia Phillies' 11-inning victory despite giving up a walk. It was his first action since Saturday. Lidge's control issues appear to be catching up to him again, though - he has five walks over his last five appearances. His job doesn't appear to be in jeopardy - he'd probably need to have a 2009-style meltdown for that to happen.
- Chad Qualls pitched two scoreless innings last night, showing off his new placement near the center of the rubber. Juan Gutierrez made the same change recently. Between the extra work scouting each other these relievers are required to put in during interim manager Kirk Gibson's tenure and these new changes, maybe there's hope. Maybe.
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