Nobody blinked when Jeanmar Gomez notched a save for the Phillies on Saturday. Even in this "Season of the Unsettled Bullpen," any pitcher on any given day can back into a stray, random save. But when Gomez closed out another game the next day, it was as if the clouds had parted and the sun shone upon him. Millions of ravenous fantasy players leapt into the free-agent pool to snatch at the promise of 30 undrafted saves.
The winners of this free-agent frenzy might be lucky and end up with his 30 free saves. Or they might end up fishing in that pool again within weeks -- or days.
The closer is the most unpredictable role in the game. Nearly all of his fantasy value rests in the hands of the manager. You can prospect for saves by targeting the most skilled arms in each pen, but that will only get you so far. Managerial whim will focus on other variables: arm, experience, lefty/righty, guile and gut.