Posted by Mike Caprio May 4, 2009

There are several team having a tough time nailing down a closer—not the least of which are the Mariners, the Rockies and the Orioles.  If the situations in Toronto (Scott Downs) and St. Louis (Ryan Franklin) tell us anything, it’s that guys can step into the breach, secure late inning leads, and present Fantasy waiver-wire opportunities.

Let’s take these one by one…

David Aardsma, RP, Seattle Mariners

Late Friday night Mariners’ manager Don Wakamutsu announced that Brandon Morrow, the current Mariners’ closer will be shelved until at least next week and placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 24, 2009 (bicep tendinitis).  In his absence, David Aardsma will receive the bulk of the team’s saves opportunities.  Morrow’s continued health issues should compel owners to try and pick up Aardsma for this week, and potentially for the mid-term, until Morrow’s arm problems sort themselves out.  The Mariners’ are notoriously conservative when dealing with injuries, so look for their estimate to fall on the “longer” side.  

Aardsma’s line in 2009 is:

11.1 Innings, 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 3 Saves, 2.38 ERA, 1.06 Whip (10K/7BB)

 

Matt Belisle, RP, Colorado Rockies

Rockies’ skipper Clint Hurdle made it abundantly clear, Manny Corpas knows what he needs to do to stay in the big leagues.  And so far this season he has not done it.  Corpas has been “credited” with three of the last five Rockies’ losses, including yesterday’s extra inning loss to the Giants.  With his ERA ballooning to 6.75, Hurdle seems to think a demotion is in-store for the current Rockies’ closer.   Hurdle was blunt after the game, ”[Corpas]is well aware of what he needs to do. We have laid it out in black and white. He’s had a month-and-a-half of good pitching in the last seven months in the big leagues. We need better than that for him to stay here. He’s well aware of that.”

In Corpas’ absence, with Huston Street’s struggles well documented, look for Rockies reliever Matt Belisle to see some save opportunities in the near-term.  I suspect that Hurdle will “mix and match” to try and find a steady arm to close games, but after yesterday’s scoreless 8th and 9th innings, Belisle has enough “capital” to garner a late inning look.  Keep an eye on this situation…it could present a “low cost” opportunities for saves for the savvy owner.  His numbers have been terrible so far this season, boosted in part by two awful outings against the Dodgers, but if he gets save opportunities don’t let his gigantic ERA scare you off.

Matt Belisle’s 2009 looks like:

10 Innings, 1 Win, 0 Loss, 0 Saves, 9.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP (7K/3BB)

 

Chris Ray, RP, Baltimore Orioles

For Sherrill it was just a matter of time. Whether it was late in the season or early on, when he blew multiple saves, Orioles’ manager Dave Trembley would be looking to get Chris Ray more meaningful appearances.  Very simply, having two guys who can close on a non-contending team, give Orioles’ management a trade chip they can move at the deadline.  So…with 3 blown saves in his first 6 opportunities in 2009, Trembley refuses to guarantee that Sherrill will be his “go-to” with a lead in the 9th inning.   These situations rarely benefit fantasy baseball owners, but it can “play-out” in one of two ways:  

1.) Sherrill takes this as personal affront and takes it out on opposing batters; or

2.) Sherrill and Ray begin to share save opportunities at the “whim” of Trembley.

Hope for #1…or for decision one way or the other.  Committees kill fantasy owners.

Icon Sports Media

 

Joe Beimel, RP, Washington Nationals

The Joel Hanrahan experiment is officially over in Washington.  With Julien Tavarez 1 for 2 in his last two appearances, it appears that Joe Beimel who is scheduled to come off the disabled list on Tuesday will be the “new” closer in D.C.  Beimel, who went on the DL on April 21st with a hip flexor has been the Nats’ best reliever this season with a 1.23 ERA in 8 appearances.  Seems like Manny Acta agrees, ”We won’t be afraid to hand him the closing job if he proves he’s the guy for it,” Acta said. (Hat Tip: Phil Brody)

Guys Who Should Be Looking in the Rearview Mirror

Matt Lindstrom, RP, Florida Marlins

Lindstrom has stabilized over his last three outings, but his control is a ticking “time bomb” in Miami.  There is no closer who can survive a 2.00 WHIP and keep his job.  Keep an eye on this one…especially if the Marlins keep pace in the NL East.  Leo Nunez is often mentioned as their “closer in waiting”.  He’s pitched well enough this season to be given a shot if Lindstrom fails.

Brian Fuentes, RP, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

We touched on this when we evaluated our Top Fantasy Keepers: Relief Pitchers in the off-season.  While Fuentes received a large contract, he is best suited to being used in “ideal” situations.  Over the last two years in Colorado he “shined” when flanked by other relief options.  Jose Arrendondo struggled early-on, but like Carlos Marmol in Chicago, should be given the opportunity to close games when appropriate.  After blowing a big save on Thursday in New York, Mike Scoscia cannot afford to blow leads…especially when his “patchwork” rotation gives him a chance to win.

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