Deadline Deals

With the trade deadline approaching, here are the list of closers that could be available on the market. This would make their backup an immediate necessary pickup. For your convenience, here's a quick reference on who to grab:

Pittsburgh - Octavio Dotel (Evan Meek/Joel Hanrahan are next in line, but we give the nod to Meek)

Washington - Matt Capps (Drew Storen)

Toronto - Kevin Gregg (Scott Downs, possibly Jason Frasor)

Cleveland - Kerry Wood (Chris Perez)

Seattle - David Aardsma (Brandon League)

Also candidates to move but are not the full time closer are Trevor Hoffman and Chad Qualls.

Clippard Gets Save

Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard picked up a save Thursday against Pittsburgh.

No action is required here. Despite Matt Capps' recent struggles, he remains Washington's closer. Capps was getting the night off after pitching 3 days in a row.

Gregg Implodes

Blue Jays closer Kevin Gregg allowed 1 hit, 5 walks, and 4 runs in blowing a 5-3 lead Tuesday. He added an error then got ejected for yelling at the home plate umpire.

Ugly would be an understatement. Manager Cito Gaston gave little indication of removing Gregg from the closers role. Jason Frasor or Scott Downs would be his replacement. We think to hold tight on Gregg for now and that Frasor would be the better choice than Downs should you want to make a move.

Hoffman in Trouble

Single, home run, double, walk, single... game over. Trevor Hoffman blew a 4-2 lead for Milwaukee as they lost 5-4 to the Reds.

This was an awful loss for Hoffman and a switch may be coming soon. Carlos Villanueva is the likely replacement, but not exactly ideal. Stay tuned.

Lidge is Soar

Despite just returning from surgery, Phillies reliever Brad Lidge is experiencing soreness in his repaired elbow. Per a report, he attempted to warm up and "didn't feel great". Lidge said that he was "not worried," but his owners should be. (HardballTalk)

Jose Contreras is Philadelphia's backup plan with Ryan Madson on the DL.

Corpas Has Bad Night

New Rockies closer Manny Corpas gave up 4 runs in the 9th inning last night. He hit the first batter, got the next one out, threw a wild pitch, intentional walk, single, and then a home run.

Corpas will be closing for now. Huston Street can't come back soon enough.

Feliz Still Rangers Closer

Manager Ron Washington insisted earlier today that Neftali Feliz is still the Rangers' closer, despite recent struggles. (mlb.com)

Hang on to Frank Francisco for a bit longer...