After an amazing run in his first year as a closer, Joe Nathan has finally hit a rough patch. Brian Bahr/Getty Images

As my colleague John Donovan mentioned earlier this week, it hasn't been the greatest of times for the elite closers. When you're in such a high-profile position, any mistake gets magnified.

Sure, you'll have to deal with a blown save here and there, but when seemingly all of the marquee names struggle at the same time, you've got to wonder what in the world is going on. Then again, you can also look at it this way: If everyone is screwing up, then it's a statistical wash.

This past week was one of the wildest for elite closers in a long time. Eric Gagne, he of the 84-game consecutive saves streak, got roughed up in three consecutive outings and would've gotten the loss in all three if not for Adrian Beltre's heroics Friday night.

Beltre, the Dodgers' MVP candidate, burned John Smoltz right after Gagne's blown save. Smoltz appeared on track to blow a save against the Padres earlier in the week, but he was saved when J.D. Drew and Marcus Giles combined to throw out potential tying run Mark Loretta at the plate. And Smoltz only got into a save situation because Trevor Hoffman blew one of his own on a ninth-inning homer by Andruw Jones. Isn't it funny how all of those closers seem to run together?

Those flare-ups come a few weeks after Mariano Rivera had an uncharacteristic bad couple of games. He has recovered just fine since then. And that's what you should take out of the struggles of some of these closers. It happens, and only be concerned if it stretches over a week or two.

For now, don't get too concerned about Gagne. He is taking a few days off to get himself back into sorts. I would've said the same thing about Reds closer Danny Graves, but he's now on the DL with back spasms. He should be fine when he returns. The same can be said about Minnesota's Joe Nathan, who had two of his three blown saves in the past week, including a two-run outburst by the Rangers on Tuesday. Maybe he's slowing down after a long first season of closing. Or maybe it's just a phase.

But if you're looking for some other closer candidates, especially from the lesser teams trying out anyone for the future or clubs dealing with injuries, here are some possibilities:

Greg Aquino, Diamondbacks: He's got seven saves since the end of July as the latest pitcher to get the closer's role. However, that job appears to be cursed, as seen by the fates of previous stoppers Matt Mantei and Jose Valverde.

Dustin Hermanson, Giants: It's often not pretty, but Hermanson does have five saves this month, taking over for the inconsistent Matt Herges.

Jeremy Affeldt, Royals: He's back from the disabled list and could get some save opportunities, but Kansas City has to be in position to give him one. The Royals have just three saves this month, from the motley crew of Jaime Cerda, Scott Camp and Nate Field.

Bob Wickman, Indians: Cleveland's former closer has the job for now, but you could also take a look at former White Sox stopper Bobby Howry, who's pitched very well lately. However, with Cleveland's recent struggles, you may be chasing for saves that won't ever come.

Joe Valentine, Reds: With Graves out, someone will have to get saves, so it could be the youngster Valentine, who will share the chances with fellow prospect Ryan Wagner.

Youth is served

Valentine is just one of a number of young pitchers getting their chances to show their stuff for next year, but also could help your fantasy squad both in the short-term.

Among other pitchers getting a long look now, who could be worth your time include:

Scott Kazmir, Devil Rays: The former Mets star prospect looked solid in his debut, allowing no runs and four hits in five innings against the punchless Mariners. It might get more interesting when he has to face the Red Sox and Yankees, but it's a nice start to a potentially promising career.

Chris Young, Rangers: The former Princeton basketball player, acquired from the Expos in the Einar Diaz trade this spring, was decent in his debut, allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Twins on Tuesday. He was lighting it up in the minors this year, and he could have a future, given all the injuries to the Texas pitching staff.

John van Benschoten, Pirates: The former first-round pick got roughed up in his first outing last week, but rebounded to give up just one earned run in seven innings against the Diamondbacks on Monday. Injuries to Kip Wells and Sean Burnett should keep him in the majors for a while, and he's got a decent upside to him, although he went just 4-11 with a 4.72 ERA at Class AAA Nashville this year.

Oscar Azocars update: Still in last. Still not much to report, other than finally breaking the 3,000-point barrier, although some of these younger pitchers getting the callups later in the year could provide some interesting fodder for all those involved. Shawn Estes is giving up runs and finally not winning games, which helps me immensely. Plus, I'm starting to invest in a lot of Diamondbacks pitchers, including Mike Fetters and Stephen Randolph, who struggled nicely for me this week. Jose Contreras and Cliff Lee did come through later in the week as well, and I'm waiting to get Esteban Loaiza a start. As for my hitters, there were some 0-fers from those who don't play much, but I also got a nice bad week from Julio Lugo, who kept on striking out and making errors, a nice 1-2 punch.

James Quintong if Fantasy Sports Producer at SI.com.