What have you done for me lately? — the theme of the year forclosers of all kinds. Brief slumps by even the best relievers in baseball result in implosions that can torch a fantasy team’s ERA and WHIP numbers. And with only half the closers in baseball possessing any true sense of job security, a constant revolving door is making for tricky lineup decisions for the stretch run.

The 2008 crop of closers has been anchored at the top by a dominant group that has managed to stay healthy and effective. Joakim Soria has emerged as an elite option, while Philadelphia’s Brad Lidge has bounced back from a troublesome ‘07 season to put up dominant numbers for the pennant-chasing Phillies. Surprises Kerry Wood, Kevin Gregg and Salomon Torres have held steady in rounding out the top 10.

Struggling teams and playoff contenders alike have been playing the closer shuffle, whether by injuries or ineffectiveness. The Detroit Tigers have finally seemed to settle on Ferndando Rodney as their primary ninth inning option, and the New York Mets are giving new acquisition Luis Ayala a chance to anchor their bullpen in Billy Wagner’s absence. The Nationals, Braves, Indians, Cardinals, Rangers and Pirates are some of the other teams who have had trouble solidifying their ‘pens.

With all of the uncertainty come opportunities for fantasy owners to find new closers, seemingly on a daily basis. The downside is such little information for fantasy owners to determine just where they stand in the saves category. Stay tuned to our rankings and get the latest news on what to expect in the final few weeks of the season.

The full list:
**Statistics as of Aug. 25 games

1. Francisco Rodriguez, LAA: 50 saves a landmark on way to new MLB record [1]
2. Jonathan Papelbon, BOS: Five wins a bonus to go with excellent ratios, Ks [2]
3. Mariano Rivera, NYY: Legend has re-found HOF form with 1.53 ERA, 0.72 WHIP [3]
4. Joe Nathan, MIN: On pace for best pro season; has 0.86 ERA since May 11 [5]
5. Joakim Soria, KC: Save opps few and far between; has 1 SV since Aug. 4 [4]
6. Brad Lidge, PHI: Back on track after rocky stretch; still 31-for-31 saves  [6]
7. Kerry Wood, CHC: Blister issue behind him; has 0.00 ERA since coming off DL [8]
8. Kevin Gregg, FLA: BBs an ongoing issue; watch for signs of fatigue [7]
9. Bobby Jenks, CHW: Maturation has involved unfortunate drop in K rate [9]
10. Salomon Torres, MIL: Is 24-for-29 in save opps since taking over as closer [10]

11. Brian Fuentes, COL: Waiver wire surprise quietly has 25 saves, 2.79 ERA [14]
12. Jose Valverde, HOU: Finally settled in with 0.75 ERA, 8 SVs since July 25 [16]
13. Brian Wilson, SF: Unlikely NL saves leader working around so-so ERA, WHIP [18]
14. Trevor Hoffman, SD: Much more effective since AS break: 2.00 ERA, 9 SVs [21]
15. Chris Perez, STL: Future is now; 23-year old has converted 5 straight SVs [NR]
16. Francisco Cordero, CIN: K-to-BB rate dropped from 4.78 in ‘07 to 2.10 in ‘08 [13]
17. Jonathon Broxton, LAD: Struggling; is 0-3 with 7.88 ERA in last 8 outings [11]
18. B.J. Ryan, TOR: Lights out since Aug. 2: 0.00 ERA, 4-for-4 saves [20]
19. Brad Ziegler, OAK: Has pitched 2 innings in 3 of 5 save chances [22]
20. Brandon Lyon, ARI: Crashing & burning, too often in non-SV situations [15]

21. Fernando Rodney, DET: Is making most of 2nd chance at closer role [25]
22. J.J. Putz, SEA: Effective, but BBs still an issue; season WHIP sits at 1.81 [17]
23. Jensen Lewis, CLE: Good find for Tribe; is 7-for-7 saves since winning job [NR]
24. Matt Capps, PIT: Only matter of time before he returns to 9th inning [NR]
25. Frank Francisco, TEX: With high K rate, is upgrade over traded Guardado [NR]
26. Mike Gonzalez, ATL: Rebuilding Braves hand him few SV opps [26]
27. Joel Hanrahan, WAS: Pitching for MLB’s worst team prohibits value [27]
28. Luis Ayala, NYM: Trade to NYM a great benefit; in position for majority of SVs [NR]
29. Dan Wheeler, TB: About to lose job (again) to recovering Percival [NR]
30. Jim Johnson, BAL: Most likely to fill in for injured Sherrill [NR]