The Closer Report—Last Updated—August 6, 2008

Closer—  George Sherrell

Next in line— Chad Bradford

News— Sherrell did not get traded at the deadline, but his ERA and WHIP are killing fantasy owners.  Either trade him at the deadline or deal with this.

Closer—  Jonathan Papelbon

Next in line— Hideki Okajima

News— Good to go the rest of the season.

Closer—  Bobby Jenks

Next in line— Scott Linebrink

News— Good to go the rest of the season.

Closer—  Rafael Perez

Next in line— Rafael Betancourt

News— There is a new closer in town and his name is Rafael Betancourt.  Pick him up now!

Closer—  Joakim Soria

Next in line— Leo Nunez

News— Good to go the rest of the season.

Closer—  Francisco Rodriguez

Next in line— Scot Shields

News— Good to go the rest of the season.

Closer—  Joe Nathan

Next in line— Juan Rincon

News— Good to go the rest of the season.

Closer—  Mariano Rivera

Next in line— Damaso Marte

News— Good to go the rest of the season.

Closer—  Huston Street

Next in line— Brad Ziegler and Jerry Blevins

News— Street has imploded, blowing 6 saves on the season.  Look to pick up Blevins first.

Closer—  J.J. Putz

Next in line— Miguel Bautista.

News— Putz is back in the closer role as Brandon Marrow is moving to the starting rotation after a AAA assignment.

Closer—  Eddie Guardado and

Next in line— Frank Francisco

News— Wilson has imploded and off to the DL!

Closer—  B.J. Ryan

Next in line— Scott Downs

News— Good to go the rest of the season.

Closer—  Brandon Lyon

Next in line— Tony Pena and Jon Rauch

News— Lyon’s closer status has been upgraded from red to yellow. 

Closer—  Mike Gonzalez

Next in line— Blaine Boyer and Rafael Soriano

News— Gonzalez can’t get any save opportunities if his team can’t win anymore!

Closer—  Kerry Wood

Next in line— Carlos Marmol

News— Kerry Wood returns today from blister problems.  Don’t drop Marmol just yet!

Closer—  Brian Fuentes

Next in line— Manny Corpas

News— Good to go the rest of the season.

Closer—  Kevin Gregg

Next in line— Matt Lindstrom and Renyel Pinto

News— Good to go the rest of the season.

Closer—  Joel Zumaya

Next in line— Committee

News— Jones is out of the closer role, Farnsworth and Rodney could get some saves, but Zumaya is the closer of the future and will get the most opportunities.

Closer—  Jose Valverde

Next in line— Doug Brocail

News— Good to go the rest of the season.