Closers-in-Waiting: Mixed League Edition

Like many of us, sas4's trade frustration have led him to think about many avenues toward improving his team. His latest thoughts have been about saves.

I may try to pick up a potential closer - any recommendations in that department?

My rps are Acosta, JP Howell, and Isringhausen (ugh); the first two I paid little for - and that is what I am getting . I hate paying for saves.

In A.L. or N.L. only leagues, most of the good CIW candidates are long gone. But, judging by the relievers sas4 owns, mixed leagues have some of the same problems.

I wrote about National League and American League free agent middle relievers back in April. Things probably look a little better in mixed leagues, but only a little.

Chris Perez is likely taken. So is Salomon Torres. Both of these guys are owned in the Tout Wars mixed league.

One pitcher who is sitting out there in that league is Masa Kobayashi. He has two saves, a solid 2.89 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, and a sterling 22/4 K/BB ratio in 28 innings. Joe Borowski's back off the DL, but probably one of the shakiest closers in baseball. With Rafael Betancourt also struggling, I'd grad Kobayashi if he's out there.

Brian Fuentes has been solid filling in for Manny Corpas but could get traded if the Rockies continue to fall out of the race and Colorado decides they want to shed his $5M salary. If they do, Taylor Buchholz might get a few saves.

Brandon Morrow and Ryan Rowland-Smith are both unowned in Tout Wars mixed. I suspect J.J. Putz is still pitching hurt. Speculation is that Morrow would get first shot at saves if Putz goes back on the D.L. I like Rowland-Smith in that scenario. Either way, both are decent fliers if Putz is indeed hurt.

Dan Wheeler is owned in Tout Wars mixed, but Grant Balfour and Al Reyes are not. Wheeler's the favorite there for short-term saves while Troy Percival's out, but Balfour and Reyes might also figure in the mix.

Joel Zumaya is owned but Fernando Rodney is out. Todd Jones is what he is, and the Tigers could flip him later in the year if they're out of the race. Rodney's still on the DL but might figure in the saves mix later on.

If these options don't sound great to you, it's because they're not. Even in a mixed league, you'd still be taking a stab in the dark for chances at saves. Don't waste too much of your FAAB or trade chips on guys like this. You might get nothing, so don't trade too much in the hopes of landing the 2008 version of Jeremy Accardo.