Fantasy relievers to monitor

Nothing brings out my inner-Milton Bradley like when some idiot takes a closer in the fourth… Nothing brings out my inner-Milton Bradley like when some idiot takes a closer in the fourth round of a fantasy draft, inciting World War 1-2-3-ninth inning.

Don’t do it.

Unfortunately, the season has already started, and I might be propagating for naught, but I feel like a crisis help line that uses an answering service. I can only hope that the majority of you didn’t go crazy on me for becoming the dubious manager who penetrated the closer market too soon.

Seriously, it might seem like a good idea to load up on premium closers, but if you do, you might as well also load up on non-perishable goods as well in preparation for the natural disaster that’s likely to strike your fantasy team sometime this year.

Good things come to those who wait, and for those of you who didn’t participate in the arms race, you still have options. Like steals, saves can be manufactured during the season.

Here are a couple situations to red flag and monitor along the way.

Tampa Bay Rays: Troy Percival is currently the Rays’ closer, and so far this year he has done an adequate job in limited innings. However, the Rays just gave reliever Dan Wheeler a three-year contract extension worth $10.5 million. With that type of investment, it appears the Rays might have more elaborate plans for Percival.

Wheeler has been good this year for the upstart Rays. In fact, he has been perfect. He has pitched five and one-third scoreless, hitless and walkless innings so far, while striking out four. And Wheeler does have experience as a closer with Houston and 25 career saves.

As of now, there is no reason to think Wheeler will take over the job. Percival will have to flounder first, and, even if he does, Tampa Bay could go to Al Reyes, who was its closer last year.

This might take time and some stumbling from his peers, but if Percival does falter, Wheeler has a better arm, better stuff and a bigger bank account than Reyes. He’s worth keeping an eye on.

Milwaukee Brewers: Eric Gagne couldn’t save a cat from a tree. Milwaukee’s $10-million man has already blown two saves in three chances, and his stats are putrid (12.00 ERA/2.00 WHIP). It’s not that Gagne can’t find the strike zone – he has only walked one batter so far – the problem is that opponents are hitting a brawny 0.357 off of him. Gagne simply doesn’t have the stuff he did when he won the Cy Young Award in 2003.

It doesn’t appear that the question is whether Gagne will lose his job, but rather when and to whom.

Although Derrick Turnbow was Milwaukee’s closer in 2005 and 2006, manager Ned Yost has only used Turnbow once so far this year. Suspicious.

It appears Salomon Torres might be worth a look. Torres has closed for the Pirates in the past, and although he’s not exactly a proven stopper, he does possess a good hard sinker that allows him to keep the ball on the ground late in the game, something Gagne is deficient to. The bottom line is that the Brew Crew still won both games Gagne blew, and he makes too much money to lose his job without multiple reprieves. But Milwaukee is a serious contender in the National League, and if Gagne keeps getting tagged like airport luggage, Yost will have no choice but to pull him. Monitor Torres.

Cleveland Indians: Unless the radar gun at Progressive Field is broken, Joe Borowski owners might have something to worry about. In his last outing against the Angels, Borowski topped out at 85 mph.

His decreased velocity has caused Borowski to struggle this year. He has allowed five runs and four walks in just two and one-third innings.

It’s not just that soft-throwing closers are vulnerable, which they are. This could mean there is something wrong with Borowski and his 37-year-old arm.

If Borowski lands on the disabled list, Rafeal Betancourt will flourish. Grab Betancourt if he is available.

Chicago Cubs: For obvious reasons Kerry Wood’s status as closer is dicey. With that said, if he can miraculously stay healthy, he should hold the job. However, we all know the ending to this horror story.

If Carlos Marmol is available in your league, put this article down and get to your computer. Marmol is the inevitable heir apparent to Chicago’s closer throne, and his stuff is filthy.

Marmol pumps the strike zone with a mid-90s fastball that he can sink and even rise. He also possesses a devastating slider to go with a developing changeup. Whether it’s now or later, Marmol will be a ninth-inning guy.

Acquire him if you can.