http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/4013 Recent articles about Manuel Corpas en-us With the trade deadline looming and injuries to several players, bullpen situations remain in flux throughout baseball. Jonathan Lee takes a look at recent moves and ranks all of MLB's closers. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:51:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295001 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295001 Alright, I already know what you're thinking. You're in 2nd to last place in your league, about 20 games out of the last playoff spot and you are just waiting for the season to end. Fortunately for you, I am here to help you overcome your deficit in the last 6 weeks of the season and perhaps steal a fantasy baseball championship away from one of your friends. At this point in the season, the focus on acquiring players via trade and free agency should be on a week to week basis, especially in head to head formatted leagues. Certain categories should be focused on to help you chip away at your deficit until you get within striking distance. For example, if you are weak in the areas of Earned Run Average and Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched, focus on Wins, Losses, and Strikeouts. A way to do this is to find starting pitchers who are starting twice this week, especially against weaker opponents. Scott Kazmir owners are in a very good mood this week because he will face off against the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals. Other guys that are worth taking a flyer on are pitchers such as Toronto Blue Jays SP Jesse Litsch (@ BAL, vs. SEA), Texas Rangers SP Eric Hurley (@ CHW, @ OAK), Washington Nationals SP Jason Bergmann (@ SF, @ LAD), and Florida Marlins stud Chris Volstad (vs. ATL, @ CHC). Volstad is a guy that if not picked up in your league, you should be scouring the waiver wire as we speak. In his major league debut, he was one out shy of a complete game, and only giving up 1 run on 5 hits against the Dodgers. Volstad also struck out 6 and walked 1. If he is picked up, I would offer a veteran starter such as a Jered Weaver for him because his ceiling is so high. At this point, it is worth taking such a risk to try and get your team back in the playoff hunt. On the other side of the ball, hitters should be picked up and dropped faster then Kevin Federline's pitch for a reality show. This is another area in which picking up particular categories per week will help you make up necessary ground. It is important not to hold onto these players for too long and ride their hot streaks for more time than you should. Willie Harris, a 2B, 3B and an OF, is a good pick up at this point. In the last week he is the number 1 ranked player on Yahoo! Sports. He is worth a pick up if he is available but he shouldn't be held onto for much longer. Austin Kearns is a player who may be worth keeping for the rest of the season. In the last week he is .429 with a HR and 6 runs scored. Kearns has always been a producer in the 2nd half of the season and has been tearing the cover off the ball, even when making outs. In 2 out of his last 3 seasons, Kearns has seen positive changes in most of his statistics and with the way he's hitting lately, he should be in for another solid run. Finally, another key component of making a large comeback is by keeping your eye on what closers get injured or lose their jobs late in the season. With the trade deadline coming around in Major League Baseball, it is likely closer roles will be changing based on potential trades that can be made. For instance, Colorado Rockies reliever Brad Fuentes has been the talk of the deadline. This can open up a job for someone like Taylor Buchholz or the incumbent closer from last year, Manny Corpas. Chicago Cubs closer Kerry Wood may be making a trip the Disabled List (No Way!!!!!) for blister problems. (On a side not here, doesn't Wood look like Leo Dicaprio from "The Departed."When he takes the mound, I can't help but hear the announcer say, "Now coming in to pitch, William Costigan Jr.") This will open up from save chances for youngster Carlos Marmol, who even though he has been struggling lately, is worth being started as an everyday closer. Keep a close watch on more injuries to closers or even their backups to see where you can steal some saves. It is easy to just give up on your season and say "Let's get'em next year," but where's the fun in that? The whole point of fantasy baseball is to rub your conquests in your friends' faces. There is nothing better than getting into an argument with your friend over something non-fantasy related, and when you find yourself stuck in a corner without a point, just bringing up some fantasy sports history. My only advice is too persevere and read whatever tips I may offer in the upcoming weeks. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:02:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293411 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293411 Now that baseball has hit the All-Star break, it is a good time to assess the bullpen situations across baseball. Eleven different relievers were named to the All-Star team, but that doesn't mean they were the most valuable relief pitchers in fantasy. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:38:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291742 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291742 There is a new look to the Closer Report this week with expanded coverage of bullpen situations around baseball and rankings for the top fantasy closers and middle relievers. This week AccuScore analyst looks at the All-Star relievers, and has a problem with the selection of one player in particular. Also, the trade deadline is approaching so which closers could be swapping uniforms in the near future? Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287565 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287565 April baseball is a lot of fun, the new season is still exciting and fans get wrapped up in emerging story-lines. Among these, Florida Marlins sit atop the National League East, beating out the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies; the Chicago Cubs, on the brink of their 100th seasons without a World Series, are looking poised to make a run; and the Colorado Rockies are looking lost despite winning the NL pennant in 2007. Here are ten things to look for in May. Sun, 11 May 2008 23:08:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265886 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265886 A month into the season, FIO co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter takes a look around the league at bullpens and closers. Helping you look in the right direction for your fantasy roster, this comprehensive article includes: Closer News & Notes, Closer DL Report, Middle Relievers/Setup Men, and Closer & Reliever Rankings. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:37:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/261597 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/261597 Manuel Corpas has finally been replaced by Brian Fuentes as the Rockies closer. We explain what this means for their fantasy values and what you should expect from both players going forward. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:47:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/256459 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/256459 Big name struggles and injury concerns are creating bullpen issues for several major league teams. AccuScore analyst Jonathan Lee has it all sorted out for you in this week's Closer Report. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:13:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/253568 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/253568 Teams all over the majors have bullpen issues due to injuries and just plain ineffectiveness. AccuScore analyst Jonathan Lee ranks the closers so you know who to rely on for your fantasy teams and who to avoid. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:33:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/238085 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/238085 The Braves failed to take advantage of several opportunities given to them by erratic starter Ubaldo Jimenez and lose their 5th game of the year by one run. In the 8th inning Bobby Cox double switched Gregor Blanco to centerfield replacing Mark Kotsay and put Manny Acosta on the mound to reliever Jair Jurrjens. Down one run in the 9th is an ideal situation for a homerun, or to try and atleast get a man on base. Giving a rookie who has never been on the base paths besides as a pinch runner the 2nd AB of the 9th with nobody else on the bench being used....idiotic. Bobby Cox we salute you, you are a f'n moron. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:13:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/233169 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/233169 AccuScore analyst Jonathan Lee puts baseball's closers under the microscope. This weekly report will take a look at each position and rank the best to worst on a weekly basis. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:44:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/232738 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/232738 After week one of the MLB season, there have been several teams, including Trevor Hoffman and the Padres, that have already run into bullpen issues, particularly on Opening Day, so we decided to examine each of the 30 major league teams bullpen performances thus far and see which teams should really be concerned with their bullpen. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:53:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/230928 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/230928 AccuScore analyst Jonathan Lee puts baseball's closers under the microscope. This weekly report will take a look at each position and rank the best to worst on a weekly basis. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:46:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/225968 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/225968 Last season the NL West division race came down to the last day of the season, and we expect this year to be no different. Here a preview of all five teams, their projected starting lineups, rotations, fantasy impact players, and overall outlook. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:24:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/222422 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/222422 Rounding things out in our preparation for 2008 fantasy baseball drafts, the FIO staff runs down its preseason rankings at each position. This time around, writer Rich Lerner gives you the FIO's Preseason Top 20 Fantasy Relief Pitchers. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:12:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215761 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215761