The closer confidence crisis of 2008

It's been a bizarre week for closers, with two veterans essentially asking out of their roles and another team ready to make another move with their interim closer.

On back-to-back nights, Jason Isringhausen of the Cardinals and Eric Gagne of the Brewers had ninth-inning meltdowns, and both expressed frustration to the media, saying they should be removed from the roles.

Their managers obliged. But since then, Gagne said he wants his job back, and he's been restored. Isringhausen, on the other hand, went on the disabled list with a minor injury to his hand.

And with solid setup man Rafael Betancourt floundering in the closer's role in Cleveland, manager Eric Wedge is going with a new approach.

"There's something about being on the mound in the ninth inning," Brewers manager Ned Yost told MLB.com. "It takes a certain mentality to do it. I haven't been able to figure it out. It's three outs, but it's much more than three outs."

If you're a fantasy player, it's problematic as well. About.com fantasy baseball correspondent Kevin Kleps breaks down the fantasy closers (with saves, save opportunities and ERA entering the weekend):

Weekly starters (13)

• Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox (11-13 saves, 2.41 ERA)
• Mariano Rivera, Yankees (11-11, 0.53)
• Joe Nathan, Twins (12-12, 1.89)
• Francisco Rodriguez, Angels (16-17, 3.12)
• Brad Lidge, Phillies (10-10, 0.50)
• Billy Wagner, Mets (8-9, 0.00)
• Brandon Lyon, Diamondbacks (12-14, 1.89)
• Bobby Jenks, White Sox (8-10, 2.20)
• Joakim Soria, Royals (10-10, 0.00)
• Francisco Cordero, Reds (7-8, 2.60)
• Jose Valverde, Astros (11-14, 4.15)
• Troy Percival, Rays (10-12, 2.25)
• George Sherrill, Orioles (15-17, 3.79)

Worth starting, depending on team and format (11)

• Masa Kobayashi, Indians (2-2 saves, 1.86)
• Ryan Franklin, Cardinals (2-4, 1.80)
• Huston Street, Athletics (9-11, 3.63 ERA)
• Kerry Wood, Cubs (8-11, 3.92)
• B.J. Ryan, Blue Jays (7-7, 0.00)
• Matt Capps, Pirates (9-9, 2.41)
• Jon Rauch, Nationals (9-11, 2.61)
• Takashi Saito, Dodgers (6-8, 1.65)
• Brian Wilson, Giants (12-14, 3.18)
• Todd Jones, Tigers (5-5, 4.80)
• Kevin Gregg, Marlins (7-8, 2.89)

Part-time starters at best (5)

• Eric Gagne, Brewers (10-15 saves, 6.27)
• Trevor Hoffman, Padres (7-9, 5.40 ERA)
• C.J. Wilson, Rangers (8-9, 5.09)
• Brian Fuentes, Rockies (4-6, 2.55)
• J.J. Putz, Mariners (3-5, 4.50)

Waiting on John Smoltz: The Braves.

Get more fantasy advice from Kleps, with his breakdown of the closer situations on the Brewers, Cardinals and Indians.