"One thing's for sure, owners across the fantasy universe will continue to jump on and off the closer carousel, at least for the foreseeable future."

When I wrote that sentence back in May, even I had no clue how much it would apply in September.  If you're looking for proof of how up, down, around a year it's been for stoppers, check out the list of guys who started the year at closer for their respective teams, but aren't saving games as of today:

Hope you enjoyed the ride! Photo Credit: KateMonkey

Billy Wagner
Jason Isringhausen
George Sherrill
Joe Borowski
Todd Jones
Takashi Saito
C.J. Wilson
Jeremy Accardo
Manny Corpas
Kevin Gregg
Eric Gagne
Huston Street
Chad Cordero
Rafael Soriano

That's almost half the teams in baseball!  And that's not even counting the players who had a grip on the role at some point this season, and blew it.  Our latest example comes from Florida, where Kevin Gregg has been shut down due to a mysterious knee injury.  I'll get into the particulars of that situation more below, but isn't it ironic that just hours after you read last week's Pecking Order (and probably laughed off my "10 saves is not an insurmountable lead" rant), one of the most stable closer situations in all of baseball this season, well...destabilized? Think about it. If you're competing for saves against the guy who owns Gregg, what seemed like a long shot last week is now a shot in the arm for your team.  This brings me to my next point -- BACK THAT THANG UP!

What if you were the unlucky owner who just lost Gregg? If you were holding onto the slimmest of leads in the saves category, you'd be in deep stinky right now if there were no available backups.  That's why September insurance is essential.  Don't be the next victim of a Gregg-like situation; have an emergency plan in place.  Drop that middle reliever you've had all year; he's not going to impact your ERA or WHIP over the last 20-plus games anyway (unless he decides to give up 10 earned runs without recording an out sometime soon).  Use the roster space for an extra closer if there's one available.  Look at it this way.  Even if your everyday closer doesn't go down, maybe you can pick up an extra save or two with your backup closer on the off-days (Mondays/Thursdays) over the next three weeks. 

Speaking of off-days, with the baseball season coming to a close and the head-to-head playoffs in full swing, the Pecking Order, as of today, is officially on hiatus until next season.  It's been a wild ride this year, especially as it relates to closers, but it's been a blast.  My only hope is that I've been able to help you compete in the all-important saves category, and ultimately, your league.  If not, send me a note on how I screwed you with poor advice (sorry about Joe Borowski, by the way).  On the flip-side, if I played any part in your success, I want to know about it (stroke the ego a little bit, won't you?).  I'd especially like to thank you, the readers, for checking out my column each day, week, or month during the 2008 baseball season.  Just one more favor though.  Please continue to check out our amazing fantasy sports coverage on RotoExperts.com.  Whether it's football, basketball, or even NASCAR, we have some top-notch talent just itching to help you win.  As for me, I'm not completely disappearing from the scene.  In fact, I start covering fantasy football in just a few days ("The Pick-Up Artist" in case you were wondering).  Enough with the good-bye stuff though, you've got a league to win. 

Good luck and thank you for reading!

"Closer-by-Committees"

Baltimore Orioles Bullpen
Unfortunately, there still hasn't been a save opportunity for anyone in the Baltimore bullpen since George Sherrill went down.  Sherrill could be back this weekend, but I'd still hold onto Jim Johnson if you have him.  He is first in line and could stay first in line if Sherrill were to have another setback. 

Florida Marlins Bullpen
There had been no indication, at least from what I had been reading, that Kevin Gregg was dealing with an injury that could sideline him.  Still, I sincerely apologize to readers if this was in any way an oversight on my part.  So, what do you do as a Gregg owner?  Well, first, I think if you're still in the race for saves, you have to DL him if you have the room.  Second, you need to find a replacement ASAP.  If any of the names below are available, get your hands on one.  If you want to stay in Florida for your replacement, Matt Lindstrom looks like the guy at the moment (although he did give up two earned runs in a tie game to take the loss on Tuesday night).  Keep in mind, Fredi Gonzalez hasn't officially named him the closer, so Joe Nelson and Arthur Rhodes could be in the mix as well -- the latter against lefties.  It's a gamble no matter which way you put it, but if you're in a state of desperation, you grab what you can get.  

Stats as of September 3, 2008

"On Board"

Mariano Rivera, NYY
With the Yankees hanging onto their playoff hopes, Joe Girardi won't hesitate to call on Mariano when he needs him. Proof?  Mariano has pitched more than one inning in six of his last eight appearances.
32-for-33, 61.2 IP, 70 Ks, 1.46 ERA, 0.70 WHIP  
Next in line: Joba Chamberlain
Third in line: Jose Veras

Jonathan Papelbon, BOS  
Papelbon is two saves shy of tying the career-high 37 he saved last season.
35-for-39, 59 IP, 67 Ks, 1.68 ERA, 0.85 WHIP
Next in line: Justin Masterson
Third in line: Manny Delcarmen

Joe Nathan, MIN
Saturday night's loss to the Oakland A's was Nathan's first loss since July 19, 2007. 
36-for-41, 57 IP, 62 Ks, 1.11 ERA, 0.89 WHIP
Next in line: Eddie Guardado
Third in line: Matt Guerrier

Brad Lidge, PHI
Could Lidge go all season without blowing one?
33-for-33, 57.2. IP, 76 Ks, 2.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
Next in line: Chad Durbin
Third in line: Ryan Madson

Francisco Rodríguez, LAA
Rodriguez picked the perfect time to break the single-season saves record, didn't he?  Sorry, Angels fans.
54-for-59, 59.1 IP, 68 Ks, 2.43 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
Next in line: Jose Arredondo
Third in line: Scot Shields

Francisco Cordero, CIN
Cordero's ERA and WHIP aren't stellar, but you can't complain with 30-plus saves on a bad Cincinnati team. 
26-for-32, 59.1 IP, 66 Ks, 3.64 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
Next in line: David Weathers
Third in line: Jeremy Affeldt

José Valverde, HOU
Valverde's been extremely busy lately, posting 12 saves in the last three weeks, including six in the last seven days. He's also lowered his ERA almost a full point since the beginning of August. 
39-for-45, 64 IP, 74 Ks, 3.66 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
Next in line: Doug Brocail
Third in line: Geoff Geary

Joakim Soria, KC
Soria recently went 18 days between saves, his longest such drought all season.  No worries here, I'll still take the over on 40. 
34-for-37, 58 IP, 59 Ks, 1.86 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
Next in line: Ron Mahay
Third in line: Robinson Tejeda

Bobby Jenks, CWS
Jenks hasn't blown a save since June 4. 
27-for-31, 49.1 IP, 28 Ks, 1.82 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
Next in line: Octavio Dotel
Third in line: Matt Thornton

Salomón Torres, MIL
The dreaded non-save situation strikes again! No worries here; Eric Gagne is next in line. 
26-for-32, 69.1 IP, 44 Ks, 2.47 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
Next in line: Eric Gagne
Third in line: Guillermo Mota

Trevor Hoffman, SD
Hoffman blew his first save in almost three months this past Sunday.  What's more annoying are the two save chances he's had in the last three weeks. 
27-for-31, 40.1 IP, 44 Ks, 4.24 ERA, 1.12 WHIP
Next in line: Heath Bell
Third in line: Cla Meredith

B.J. Ryan, TOR
Ryan is the poster boy for post-Tommy John success.
26-for-29, 49 IP, 47 Ks, 2.57 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
Next in line: Scott Downs
Third in line: Jesse Carlson

Brian Wilson, SF
For the first time in a long time, Wilson is not leading the National League in saves. 
36-for-39, 54 IP, 58 Ks, 4.00 ERA, 1.37 WHIP
Next in line: Tyler Walker
Third in line: Keiichi Yabu

Jonathan Broxton, LAD
With eight strikeouts in his last three innings, perhaps I was wrong for cautioning owners about his "tired arm."  Hopefully he can continue to dominate in that type of fashion (yes, I'm an owner).  
11-for-18, 58.2 IP, 77 Ks, 3.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP
Next in line: Hong-Chih Kuo
Third in line: Joe Beimel

Joel Hanrahan, WAS
Wow, three saves in the last week!  Hanrahan's done a fine job at closer since the departure of Jon Rauch: 7-for-8, 15.1 IP, 14 Ks, 2.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP.  Gotta love that SP eligibility as well. 
7-for-9, 76.2 IP, 83 Ks, 3.52 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Next in line: Saul Rivera
Third in line: Steven Shell

Kerry Wood, CHI (NL)
After pitching four days in a row last week, it appears Wood is good to go for the rest of the year.  He did give up two earned runs to take the loss on Tuesday night, but again, it was a non-save situation. 
28-for-33, 57.2 IP, 72 Ks, 2.81 ERA, 0.99 WHIP
Next in line: Carlos Mármol
Third in line: Jeff Samardzija

Chris Pérez, STL
I'd say Pérez is getting the hang of this thing: 13 Ks and only three hits allowed in his last 10.1 IP.  He's also a perfect 6-for-6 in saves since taking over the role.
6-for-8, 34 IP, 35 Ks, 2.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
Next in line: Kyle McClellan
Third in line: Ryan Franklin

Fernando Rodney, DET
Rodney blew the game in a non-save situation on Tuesday night (sense a recurring theme here?), but he's still the guy Leyland will turn to for saves.
7-for-11, 32.1 IP, 40 Ks, 4.73 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
Next in line: Kyle Farnsworth
Third in line: Aquilino López

Troy Percival, TB
Percival was activated before Tuesday night's game, but again, he could find himself back on the DL by the time this column is published.  Ride him as long as he's closing, but make sure to keep someone warm in your bullpen just in case. 
27-for-30, 39 IP, 36 Ks, 3.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP
Next in line: Dan Wheeler
Third in line: Grant Balfour

Jensen Lewis, CLE
After going on a saves binge two weeks ago (five saves in six days), Lewis hasn't had a save opportunity in over a week.  He's also give up two earned runs in each of his last two appearances. 
7-for-8, 54.1 IP, 42 Ks, 4.31 ERA, 1.53 WHIP
Next in line: Rafael Pérez
Third in line: Masa Kobayashi

Matt Capps, PIT
There's the save we were waiting for.  Capps' last save came on June 21.
18-for-23, 44.1 IP, 32 Ks, 3.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP
Next in line: John Grabow
Third in line: Tyler Yates

Mike González, ATL
Gonzalez had four saves in June and July combined.  He's now got four saves in the last three and a half weeks. 
8-for-8, 23 IP, 24 Ks, 3.52 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
Next in line: Blaine Boyer
Third in line: Jeff Bennett

Frank Francisco, TEX
Frankie's a perfect 3-for-3 in saves since taking over full-time closing duty.  He's been as dominant as ever too, with 10 Ks, no walks, and only one hit allowed in his last five innings. 
3-for-9, 55.2 IP, 72 Ks, 3.56 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
Next in line: Joaquín Benoit
Third in line: Jamey Wright

Brian Fuentes, COL
Well, after months of speculation, Fuentes remains a Rocky (or is it Rockie?). He's also been a strikeout machine of late, with 33 Ks in his last 18.2 IP.   
26-for-30, 55.2 IP, 70 Ks, 2.59 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
Next in line: Manny Corpas
Third in line: Taylor Buchholz

Brad Ziegler, OAK
Yes, he's human.  And yes, he's still closing games for Oakland.  Just don't act surprised when you see Joey Devine get a few chances the rest of the way.  
6-for-6, 47.2 IP, 21 Ks, 0.57 ERA, 0.99 WHIP
Next in line: Joey Devine
Third in line: Santiago Casilla

J.J. Putz, SEA
Putz has looked nothing like the pitcher who posted a 1.38 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in 2007.  To be honest, I'm not sure we'll ever see that Putz again.  After walking just 13 batters in 71.2 innings last season, he's already walked 26 in just 38.1 innings in 2008. 
10-for-18, 38.1 IP, 43 Ks, 4.23 ERA, 1.75 WHIP
Next in line: Ryan Corcoran
Third in line: Mark Lowe

Brandon Lyon, ARI
Lyon picked up his first save in over three weeks this past Monday night.  Looks like he'll get a reprieve here.  Still, if you own him, grab Jon Rauch or Tony Peña for insurance.
26-for-31, 51 IP, 38 Ks, 4.76 ERA, 1.49 WHIP
Next in line: Jon Rauch
Third in line: Tony Peña

Luis Ayala, NYM
Five out of six saves, and a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP since joining the New York Mets.  Yeah, I'd call him their closer.  He's gutty too.  Clearly hurting, he refused to come out of the game and toughed out the save on Tuesday night.  Keep an eye on the groin issue, but otherwise, he looks safe until Wagner returns.
5-for-10, 66.2 IP, 42 Ks, 5.40 ERA, 1.41 WHIP
Next in line: Aaron Heilman
Third in line: Pedro Feliciano

“On the Shelf”

Billy Wagner, NYM
Wagner threw 25 pitches off a mound on Monday and could see some minor league action before the end of the week.  He's targeting a September 9 return, so hold onto him if you can, and handcuff him with Ayala if he's free. 
27-for-33, 46 IP, 50 Ks, 1.96 ERA, 0.83 WHIP

Todd Jones, DET
Jones' season is all but over.  He's still feeling discomfort, and tests haven't shown any improvement in his troubled shoulder.  He's worth dumping if you need the roster spot. You know what? He's worth dumping even if you don't. 
18-for-21, 41.2 IP, 14 Ks, 4.97 ERA, 1.63 WHIP

George Sherrill, BAL
As of this writing, Sherrill's been throwing long toss for the past couple of days.  They're expecting him back with the team this weekend, but he's already suffered one setback, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him suffer another.  If you're a Sherrill owner, I hope you've already acquired a backup for the stretch run. 
31-for-37, 50.1 IP, 54 Ks, 4.47 ERA, 1.49 WHIP

Paul really wants to know if he's helped or hurt your chances of winning this season.  Send him a quick email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and let him know which players have made the difference.

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