Fantasy Watch

CLOSERS ARE just as indispensable to a fantasy squad as they are to a major league team, so the big-name firemen are always in demand. Here are a couple of new closers who might be a little easier to acquire.

Mike Gonzalez
LHP, Pirates
Gonzalez (right) has saved only four games in three seasons, but with the departure of last year's closer, Jose Mesa, he'll get plenty of opportunities to use his low-90s fastball and wicked slider to finish games. He'll also get help from an expert: Roberto Hernandez. The righty with 324 career saves will serve as Gonzalez's setup man as well as his mentor.

Chris Ray
RHP, Orioles
The hard-throwing 24-year-old was 18 for 18 in save chances with a 0.64 WHIP and a 0.96 ERA for Double A Bowie (Md.). He then showed poise--and impressive stuff--during a stint with Baltimore (2.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 43 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings). With B.J. Ryan and Jorge Julio gone, the Orioles have few other options, which gives Ray (right) a fair amount of job security.

Others to Watch
The Reds are again going with a closer-by-committee approach, meaning neither David Weathers nor Todd Coffey (or Ryan Wagner or Kent Mercker, for that matter) will have much fantasy value.... Last year Bob Wickman tied for the AL lead with 45 saves, but few of them came easy. Should you draft him, also grab Rafael Betancourt, Cleveland's heir apparent, just to be safe.