The Windup is a weekly in-depth look at pitching. We examine player news and trends that will have a heavy impact on your Fantasy team.

We're almost a month and a-half into the new season, and many Fantasy owners are still struggling to find dependable closers. In terms of saves, this has been quite an uneasy year. Right now, Armando Benitez is the best closer in Rotisserie leagues, a fitting example of just how wacky things have been.

Benitez has historically been a quality closer from a statistical perspective, but he's the best example of what the early season has brought us. The saves category has been driving owners nuts. The problems have mostly involved lesser closers -- not guys like Mariano Rivera or Billy Wagner -- but they have still been prevalent.

Matt Mantei actually managed to stay healthy, but he hasn't pitched well and owners simply can't trust him. Mantei lost his closer's job this week, and Jose Valverde is back in the role. Valverde is displaying good location and velocity again after a slow start, and he's a must-start pitcher in all leagues. Fantasy owners were simply hoping Mantei could avoid injuries enough to deliver saves, but even regular appearances didn't help his stock.

Octavio Dotel had always been advertised as having great stuff, and the closer's job was clearly his as the season began. Dotel, though, has earned only four saves, and he's frustrating his owners. But all Dotel needs is more chances to raise his numbers, and now might be a good time to trade for him.

The same goes for the Mets' Braden Looper, who has pitched remarkably well yet has just four saves. New York simply isn't delivering enough save chances, which is a shame for Looper, who apparently hasn't been fazed by pitching in New York.

Cleveland has been battling closer issues since the spring, when it lost Bob Wickman again to elbow problems. David Riske was a complete disaster, so now the Indians are giving an audition to Rafael Betancourt, who has good stuff. It's questionable whether he can develop a closer's mentality. If he can't handle the job, Jose Jimenez could soon get a shot. It's clear that Cleveland closers are very unreliable, though.

Curtis Leskanic didn't do a good job as the Royals closer during the first month, and he has given way to Mike MacDougal, who recently came off the disabled list. MacDougal, however, has looked shaky in his return, and with shoulder concerns also surrounding Leskanic, it's unclear who the Royals can depend on right now. Nate Field could possibly figure in the equation at some point.

Danys Baez finally earned his third save Tuesday, and he too has struggled to get opportunities. Baez has very good velocity, but his location can often come under question. He'll need more regular opportunities to truly tap his full potential as a finisher.

The Blue Jays have turned to Terry Adams after Aquilino Lopez failed to get the job done early. But Adams has already taken a late-inning loss, and he might no longer be capable of extinguishing hitters in the late innings on a regular basis. Toronto seems to be in desperate need of an answer.

Rocky Biddle has again been erratic as Montreal's closer, and it doesn't appear Luis Ayala or Chad Cordero is quite ready to step in as a replacement just yet. Biddle has been as inconsistent as he was last season, and it would not be surprising if he loses his job before the All-Star break.

For all the closers who have frustrated their owners, there are a few who have been more productive than expected, and could be acquired for lower prices in trades. Matt Herges, Danny Graves and Joe Nathan still haven't fully convinced many Fantasy players they are as good as their numbers might indicate. If you're falling behind in the saves category, any of those three could be the answer to your problems.