It’s that time of the baseball season when crappy teams trade away their closers to playoff-bound teams. Bullpens get shaken up like dirty martinis, and fantasy leagues get verrrrrrrry interesting as managers jump to pick up set-up guys from said crappy teams who will move into the closer position should the current closer be traded away. If you’re a fantasy owner, here are four scenarios to keep an eye on to give your pitching staff a potential boost.

• Pittsburgh closer Octavio Dotel has 19 saves on the season, and could possibly head to either Colorado or the Mets. If he goes, look to pick up Evan Meek, who, while still relatively inexperienced, is a damn good reliever and has a low ERA (1.05). Meek was the only Pirate named to the All-Star team, although he didn’t see action.
• The Nationals don’t want to get rid of Matt Capps, but they might have to use him after he picked up a win at the All-Star game as he is garnering serious interest. Risk-taking fantasy managers could pick up his replacement in (more likely) Drew Storen (2-1, 2.21 ERA) or (less likely) Tyler Clippard (8-6, 59 Ks) and see a big payoff if they go on to pick up several saves.
• Despite sending him to the DL with a finger blister, Cleveland is trying to make Kerry Wood (1-4, 8 saves) look attractive to clubs since he is slated to return to the active roster before the trade deadline. Wood may not be throwing like he used to, but he’s still got a wealth of experience and talent to offer a club given the right opportunity. In Wood’s current absence, Chris Perez has stepped into the closer role and is totally worth picking up if he’s available in your league.
• Toronto’s Kevin Gregg (39 K’s, 21 saves) has garnered interest from the Dodgers, and the Rockies, and the Blue Jays have made him available. However, LHP Scott Downs has drawn trade interest of his own, but could step in as the closer if Gregg is the one traded. Jason Frasor or Shawn Camp both have an outside chance of getting the closer nod.

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