A disturbing trend is taking over bullpens from coast to coast. Let's hope it's just a temporary thing. "Closer by committee" (sigh). I hate those words. They're almost as bad as "running back by committee" (although it's much easier to type or say "CBC" than it is "RBBC"). Never in a million years did fantasy owners think they'd long for the days of Todd Jones and Joe Borowski. Unfortunately, that's the sad reality we all face today. And whether it's been due to ineffectiveness, injuries, or even the impatience of a manager who's lost his grip, it appears we've officially entered the fourth dimension. As of today, we have the New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Oakland A's, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Pirates turning to the dreaded CBC. I suppose a few closers coming off the DL and/or a reliever or two stepping up to the plate (figuratively, of course) could help eliminate the monster, but there are still teams like the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers who are only a blister, shoulder, or blown save away from feeding it. Fear not, though. With every challenge comes opportunity. Sure, the trading deadline in most leagues has already passed, but believe it or not, there are still a few "closers-in-waiting" out there for the taking. In fact, you'll be surprised to find out just how available they are.* Stats as of August 12, 2008 "CBCs"  | | If Chris Perez continues to perform well, he may be an official fireman soon. Photo Credit: Icon SMI |
St. Louis Cardinals Bullpen
With the Cardinals fighting to stay alive in the wild card race, and Jason Isringhausen unable to rekindle the flame, Tony LaRussa is turning to the CBC approach. The bullpen transformation started with the call-up of someone I recommended earlier this season--potential Cards closer of the future, Chris Perez (25 percent owned). Perez converted the save in his first chance since returning to the big league club, and I’m guessing he’ll have the role all to himself if he can string together a few in a row. Just remember, nothing's a guarantee with LaRussa. Izzy could wind up back in the role after a few scoreless appearances, Ryan Franklin and Kyle McClellan are still in the picture, and Adam Wainwright could really confuse things if/when he comes off the DL. Stay tuned. Oakland A's Bullpen
Brad Ziegler (54 percent owned) has picked up his team's last two saves, and to be honest, he probably deserves to stay in the role (38 scoreless innings and counting). Manager Bob Geren has already said he doesn't have a problem handing the ball to Ziegler in save situations, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the other guys (Santiago Casilla/Alan Embree/Joey Devine) get a shot too. One thing's for sure--Huston Street shouldn't be, and probably won't be, closing any more games for the Oakland A's. Pittsburgh Pirates Bullpen
Tyler Yates has pretty much taken himself out of the race, and John Grabow (19 percent owned) looks to be the frontrunner at the moment, but Craig Hansen converted a save just last Friday and could see the occasional chance as well. It's all for naught if Matt Capps (51 percent owned) can stay healthy AND return to form when he comes off the DL in the next week or so, so I'll wait until then to make a final determination. Cleveland Indians Bullpen
With Jensen Lewis (three percent owned) and his 1.52 WHIP saving the last two games for Cleveland, Masa Kobayashi's days as closer appear to be over...we think. Eric Wedge, do us all a favor and put Rafael Pérez (22 percent owned) in there. You've got nothing else to play for, right? New York Mets Bullpen
In the immortal words of Mr. T, I pity the fool who trusts Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, Duaner Sánchez, or anybody else in the Mets bullpen for saves (including Pedro Feliciano, who picked up the save on Tuesday night). God forbid Billy Wagner can't finish the season, they might have to turn to John Maine. In a related note, it looks like the Mets will be sending down short-term closer candidate Eddie Kunz to make room for Maine's return on Monday. Detroit Tigers Bullpen
Fernando Rodney (42 percent owned) is probably the best bet for saves out of the Tiger's bullpen, but with Jim Leyland trotting him out there for more than one inning at a time, don't look for him to pitch on back-to-back days. Joel Zumaya’s back on the shelf with arm issues (could be for “a while” according to Leyland), so look for Kyle Farnsworth to pick up any and all saves in between. To add even more confusion to the mix, Todd Jones (44 percent owned) could come off the DL as early as this Friday. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he regains the role upon his return. “On Board” Mariano Rivera, NYY
Rivera blew his first save of the year on Tuesday night and has given up three earned runs in his last six appearances. He’s still the best in the business, so no need to get your panties in a bunch.
28-for-29, 52 IP, 61 Ks, 1.56 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
Next in line: Jose Veras
Third in line: Dámaso Marte Jonathan Papelbon, BOS
Papelbon hasn't blown a save since June 22. Since then, he's posted a 1.42 ERA with 17 Ks and only two walks.
32-for-36, 51.1 IP, 60 Ks, 1.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP
Next in line: Justin Masterson
Third in line: Mike Timlin George Sherrill, BAL
Sherrill has only three saves since the break. He's also given up seven earned runs in his last four appearances. Five walks and a home run in your last 4.2 IP will do that to you.
31-for-37, 48.1 IP, 52 Ks, 4.66 ERA, 1.51 WHIP
Next in line: Jim Johnson
Third in line: Fernando Cabrera Joe Nathan, MIN
Nathan's allowed only one earned run in his last 23 innings. He also just made a sizeable donation toward a new baseball field for his alma mater. What a guy!
31-for-34, 50.2 IP, 55 Ks, 1.07 ERA, 0.89 WHIP
Next in line: Matt Guerrier
Third in line: Jesse Crain Brad Lidge, PHI
Lidge is dealing with some shoulder issues but has declared himself ready to close again after shutting it down for a couple days. For now, I'll take a wait-and-see approach, but you'd be remiss not to plan for the worst.
28-for-28, 49.1 IP, 63 Ks, 2.19 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
Next in line: Chad Durbin (four percent owned)
Third in line: Ryan Madson (one percent owned) Francisco Rodríguez, LAA
His pace has slowed a bit over the last week or two, but he’s still on track for 63 saves. His K rate is improving too, with six strikeouts in his last 2.2 IP.
46-for-50, 50 IP, 55 Ks, 2.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Next in line: Scot Shields
Third in line: Jose Arredondo Francisco Cordero, CIN
Cordero has blown two saves and allowed 11 ER in his last 8.1 IP. That said, there's been zero talk of a switch.
22-for-28, 52.1 IP, 54 Ks, 3.78 ERA, 1.45 WHIP
Next in line: David Weathers
Third in line: Jeremy Affeldt José Valverde, HOU
Valverde has saved four straight games, allowing only one earned run in eight innings since his six-earned-run debacle against Pittsburgh on July 21.
29-for-35, 54.1 IP, 62 Ks, 4.31 ERA, 1.31 WHIP
Next in line: Doug Brocail
Third in line: Geoff Geary Joakim Soria, KC
With Kaufman Stadium undergoing major renovation this offseason, is it okay if we call it the "House that Soria Built" next year?
32-for-34, 53.2 IP, 58 Ks, 1.51 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
Next in line: Ron Mahay
Third in line: Robinson Tejeda Bobby Jenks, CWS
Since the All-Star break: 6-for-6, 1.80 ERA, 0.70 WHIP. A fine season indeed, but you'd like to see more Ks out of your closer.
24-for-27, 42.1 IP, 22 Ks, 1.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
Next in line: Octavio Dotel
Third in line: Matt Thornton Troy Percival, TB
Troy Percival moved into eighth place on the all-time saves list after picking up career number 350 against Seattle last Saturday. More importantly, there’s no bad news on the hamstring front.
26-for-29, 37.2 IP, 36 Ks, 3.58 ERA, 0.98 WHIP
Next in line: Dan Wheeler (17 percent owned)
Third in line: Grant Balfour (37 percent owned) Kevin Gregg, FLA
Gregg’s given up only one earned run in his last 15 IP.
28-for-32, 55 IP, 45 Ks, 2.29 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Next in line: Matt Lindstrom
Third in line: Renyel Pinto Salomón Torres, MIL
Kudos to the savvy Torres owners for making one of the best waiver wire pickups of the year.
23-for-27, 61.1 IP, 42 Ks, 2.64 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Next in line: Eric Gagne
Third in line: Guillermo Mota Trevor Hoffman, SD
The all-time saves leader is a bad, bad man. Hoffman’s had some ups and downs this season but has allowed only one earned run in his last 8.1 IP.
25-for-28, 36.1 IP, 40 Ks, 4.21 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
Next in line: Heath Bell
Third in line: Cla Meredith B.J. Ryan, TOR
Ryan struggled in June and July but has thrown five scoreless innings with three saves since August 2.
23-for-26, 42 IP, 39 Ks, 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP
Next in line: Scott Downs
Third in line: Jesse Carlson Brian Wilson, SF
Wilson continues to lead the NL in saves, but he used to be much more fun to watch. Hey Brian, what’s this eight scoreless innings business all about?
32-for-35, 46.1 IP, 49 Ks, 4.08 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
Next in line: Tyler Walker
Third in line: Keiichi Yabu Jonathan Broxton, LAD
Broxton has given up four earned runs in his last two appearances, including a blown save against San Francisco last Saturday. Broxton’s not concerned, but you should be. He had complained of a tired arm less than two weeks ago, so monitor the situation.
8-for-14, 49.1 IP, 60 Ks, 3.65 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Next in line: Hong-Chih Kuo (24 percent owned)
Third in line: Joe Beimel (less than one percent owned) Mike Gonzalez, ATL
Gonzalez has had just five save opportunities since returning to the Atlanta bullpen on June 18.
5-for-5, 18.1 IP, 21 Ks, 2.45 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
Next in line: Blaine Boyer
Third in line: Jeff Bennett Joel Hanrahan, WAS
Since taking over the closer’s role, Hanrahan hadn’t had a save opportunity. That is, until he saved both games of a doubleheader against the Rockies last Thursday.
3-for-5, 67.2 IP, 76 Ks, 3.72 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Next in line: Luis Ayala
Third in line: Saul Rivera "On the Fence” Brandon Lyon, ARI
It's been a long time since Lyon has been on shaky ground, but if you own him, it would be a wise idea to get your hands on Jon Rauch. I'm not sure what's ailing Lyon, but with Arizona fighting for their playoff lives, they can't afford to have him giving up runs and/or blowing games.
25-for-30, 46.2 IP, 35 Ks, 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP
Next in line: Jon Rauch (49 percent owned)
Third in line: Chad Qualls J.J. Putz, SEA
Putz has now thrown 6.1 scoreless innings, although with six walks during that time, it’s clear he’s not the Putz of old.
7-for-13, 30.2 IP, 36 Ks, 4.55 ERA, 1.89 WHIP
Next in line: Mark Lowe (1 percent owned)
Third in line: Sean Green Kerry Wood, CHC
Blisters and back issues have kept Wood out of the closer's role for more than a month now. He threw a scoreless inning this past Sunday, so perhaps Lou Piniella is ready to hand the ball to him the next time a save presents itself. With Wood/Piniella though, you never know.
24-for-29, 46.2 IP, 55 Ks, 2.89 ERA, 0.99 WHIP
Next in line: Carlos Mármol (80 percent owned)
Third in line: Jeff Samardzija (24 percent owned) Eddie Guardado, TEX
Guardado has converted his only save chance since C.J. Wilson went on the DL. Looks like he's the man, at least for now. Give me another week, Eddie, and you'll be movin' on up.
3-for-3, 45.2 IP, 26 Ks, 3.15 ERA, 0.99 WHIP
Next in line: Frank Francisco (1 percent owned)
Third in line: Joaquín Benoit Brian Fuentes, COL
Since the Adam Dunn trade went down, I’m even more convinced that Fuentes could be on the move. There’s no guarantee Fuentes remains a closer if he’s traded, so until August 31, I’m on the fence.
21-for-25, 45.2 IP, 50 Ks, 2.96 ERA, 1.16 WHIP
Next in line: Manny Corpas (16 percent owned)
Third in line: Taylor Buchholz (14 percent owned) “On the Shelf” Matt Capps, PIT
Capps has thrown three innings, allowing just an unearned run in three relief appearances in the minors. Most importantly, he says he feels fine physically, and he could be back with the big league club before the end of the month.
17-for-22, 40.1 IP, 29 Ks, 3.12 ERA, 1.07 WHIP Billy Wagner, NYM
Like Capps, Wagner is feeling much better. The Mets think he'll be able to pitch in a couple games over the weekend, and he could be activated on Monday. If you're an owner, cross your fingers. My guess is that you need him as much as the Mets do right now.
27-for-33, 46 IP, 50 Ks, 1.96 ERA, 0.83 WHIP C.J. Wilson, TEX
It took season-ending surgery for Ron Washington to finally do the right thing.
24-for-28, 46.1 IP, 41 Ks, 6.02 ERA, 1.64 WHIP *Ownership percentages based on the average between ESPN and CBS Sports leagues as of Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Paul sincerely hopes closers don't become the fantasy baseball equivalent of team defenses. If you feel the same way, send Paul a shout at
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