Twitter: @RobShawSports and @BloombergSports

Bloomberg Sports Anchors Rob Shaw and Julie Alexandria discuss closers who are struggling right now and provide insight on who may replace them.

Santiago Casilla, Giants

Casilla allowed a run to score for a third straight game on Sunday when he gave up three earned runs to the A’s in his second blown save of the year. Sergio Romo appears to be next in line for closer, as he has both righties and lefties hitting less than .200 this season. Romo, however, is a specialist often used for less than an inning of work. Another option for the Giants could be Jeremy Affeldt, who has some closing experience with more than 25 saves in his career.

Ryan Cook, A’s

Cook, the A’s third closer this season, suffered an ugly blown save on Friday when he gave up two walks, two hits and four runs. In total, he has walked 20 batters in 31.2 innings pitched. Cook could be replaced by Grant Balfour, who started the season as the closer. Balfour has had eight consecutive scoreless outings, which could be good enough to win back his job as closer.

Frank Francisco, Mets

Francisco got a save and the only Mets win against the Yankees in the Subway Series over the weekend, but has landed on the disabled list with a left oblique strain. Bobby Parnell could take over as closer, as his control has improved and he is pitching better this season. Over the next couple weeks, he could emerge as the Mets’ closer for the future.

John Axford, Brewers

Axford may be struggling the most of all the closers on this list. He has given up nine runs in his last nine outings with three blown saves during that span. His primary issue has been walking too many batters, as he has 18 walks in 28.1 innings pitched. The pitcher ready to fill in for Axford is Francisco Rodriguez, who has 292 career saves.

Matt Capps, Twins

Capps has a 3.41 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, but a sore right shoulder will likely land him on the disabled list. Glen Perkins and Jared Burton are two replacement options for the Twins.  Perkins has been very good this year, with 40 strikeouts in 30.2 innings pitched. Burton picked up his first save of the season Sunday, though he walked two batters.

Aroldis Chapman, Reds

Chapman is the hardest thrower in Major League Baseball and has a 2.03 ERA and a dominant 0.76 WHIP. However, in his last seven outings, he has given up eight runs and has three blown saves during that stretch. Chapman came in as closer for Sean Marshall, who may now take over for Chapman as he has given up just one run in his last 17 outings.

For more fantasy baseball insight, visit BloombergSports.com.

By R.J. Anderson //

As the offseason nears, it’s time to start compiling a list of 2012 players to keep your eyes on. Catcher is often one of the more difficult positions to find a worthwhile bat at, so any glimpses of good value should be treated with interest. Sometimes that can mean gambling on variables like playing time and continued player development. If you’re willing to do that, then add Jarrod Saltalamacchia to your list.

Not long ago, Saltalamacchia was a consensus top-50 prospect. Baseball America even ranked him in the top 20 prior to the 2006 season. He made his debut during the 2007 season before being dealt to the Rangers. From there, his struggles (including a battle with the yips) are well-established. His season with Boston, however, is giving everyone a new reason for hope, thanks to his .240/.295/.466 line and 16 home runs.

Power is the key to Saltalamacchia game, if that wasn’t evident, and he flashed plenty in recent months by slamming eight homers in July and August. The problem with Saltalamacchia is that he has issues putting the bat on the ball. His career strikeout rate is nearly 29 percent and he doesn’t walk enough (eight percent career) to post decent on-base percentages. Still, the ball can go a long way when he makes contact, and that makes him an attractive option.

Fueling the sex appeal is an increased output of power this season too. It’s not unexpected for a player moving into Fenway, but remember that Saltalamacchia played his home games in hitter-friendly Arlington prior to this season. Saltalamacchia is running a career-high ISO (.226; career: .164) and percentage of hits that go for extra bases (51 percent; career: 38 percent) during his age-26 season. Since players tend to begin their statistical peak around this time in their careers, it isn’t impossible to think Saltalamacchia’s power is a genuine skill set shift rather than a flash in the pan.

The other big concern for Saltalamacchia’s fantasy value, and the reason he isn’t owned in more than nine percent of ESPN leagues, is playing time. Jason Varitek is still getting reps, and that means Saltalamacchia’s value isn’t as high as it could be. Time is working against Varitek and you have to think the Red Sox are pondering what Saltalamacchia can do with even more plate appearances. Catchers with the potential to post 20-plus home runs and ISO well over .200 That’s why you should tuck him away for the 2012 draft.

For more on potential 2012 bargains, check out Bloomberg Sports.

By Tommy Rancel //

Prior to the 2011 season, I wrote the following about Mike Stanton onthe Bloomberg Sports’ blog:

“With 30-plus home run power (35 projected by Bloomberg Sports’ Fantasy Tool), the likelihood of an equal amount of doubles, and an increase in RBI opportunities, Stanton could be a fantastic power and RBI source in 2011. Set your target around the eighth round in a standard 12-team mixed-league, but if there is a sudden run on outfielders don’t be afraid to pull the trigger a round earlier.”

Stanton has lived up to those lofty expectations despite the fact he will not turn 22 for another two months. Perhaps the owner of the rawest power in the majors, Stanton has smashed 34 home runs in his first full season of play.  In addition to the long balls, he has 27 doubles – and although he does not possess much speed – five triples.  The 66 combined extra-base hits are the sixth most in the National League.

One knock on Stanton’s offensive game coming into the season was batting average. A free-swinging slugger like Stanton is not prone to hit for a high average. Not surprisingly, he has hit just .265 this season. Meanwhile, he showed improvement in his plate discipline; an encouraging sign moving forward.

Stanton struck out in more than 31% of his plate appearances as a rookie. He struck out in just over 27% of his PA this season; however, a four percent decrease is nothing to overlook. In addition to fewer punch-outs, he increased his walk total from under 9% to just over 11%. Because of his ability to take a free pass, he has maintained a healthy .357 on-base percentage despite the pedestrian average.  He will still chase at pitches out of the zone, and does whiff quite a bit, but is headed in the right direction as far as rates go.

As we shift focus to the 2012 season, Stanton is a name you need to move near the top of your draft board. Because he doesn’t hit for a high average or steal many bases, he narrowly misses the top-tier of outfielders; however, his power is unquestioned and he can get on base in other ways even if he does not hit .280.

The one question mark for 2012 is Stanton’s home ballpark. The Marlins will open a new stadium next season, so we do not know what type of environment he is walking into. Meanwhile, his current home is a pitcher-friendly park and he had no problems clearing the walls on a regular basis. Stanton was drafted between rounds 8-10 this year. I may be bullish than others, but I’d bump him up at least two rounds going into 2012.

For more on Stanton and other Bloomberg Sports’ favorites, check out the Front Office tool

By R.J. Anderson //

Although the Cubs chose against moving Carlos Pena at the deadline, don’t be surprised if someone else on their roster is in the running for becoming the team’s starting first baseman in 2012. The dark horse candidate is a fellow by the name of Bryan LaHair, and because he could become an intriguing option heading into the winter, here’s what you should know about him.

LaHair, who turns 29 in November, was drafted by the Mariners in 2002 out of Holy Name Central Catholic in Worcester, Massachusetts. Until January 2010, LaHair had spent the entirety of his career within the Mariners organization, and even reached the majors in 2008 for 150 plate appearances (during that span he hit .250/.315/.346). After the 2009 season, LaHair became a minor league free agent and signed with the Cubs, with whom he has played for since.

After an impressive 2010 season in Triple-A Iowa, LaHair raised the stakes further in 2011 by hitting 38 home runs and driving in 109 runs. Those numbers came in the Pacific Coast League, but so ha the numbers LaHair had accumulated over much of the previous five seasons, and nothing quite stuck out like his 2011 campaign. The question then becomes whether LaHair has legitimately improved, or if enough repetition and familiarity can lead to some unsustainable success. Perhaps, as is so often the case, reality has it as a mixture of both.

LaHair exited the 2007 season with a .156 ISO, and yet his ISO has increased in each subsequent season; from .156 to .202, from .202 to .241, from .241 to .249, and then from .249 to .333. It could be the league’s offensive-friendly environment playing tricks, but it’s rare to see ballparks provide a steady improvement like the one LaHair is experiencing with his power outputs. That is a reason for optimism. Now, whether the power will translate to the major leagues is another question, and a question without a known answer.

There are murmurs that the Cubs will re-sign Pena, but given the Cubs willingness to slot LaHair into the lineup as an outfielder, he could still become a fantasy contributor if given the playing time.

For more on potential 2012 bargains, check out Bloomberg Sports.