Punting Saves--Strategy question

[Stello12]

I'm in a 12-team mixed 5x5 H2H league. I'm punting saves. This is my 1st year in such a league and have a quick question for the peanut gallery:

I obviously need to win the wins and k's category and hopefully the ERA and WHIP on a lesser scale. That said, how many SP's should I carry vs middle relievers? Here is my current staff:

Schmidt
Sheets
Peavy
Harden
Colon
Haren
Bedard
Lyon
Brazoban

Should I pick up another starter or two to bank SP's for when my starters have losing week's? We can play up to 9 pitchers in this daily transaction league. A bit unsure of how to balance my roster with SP's vs RP's in a situation where I'm punting saves. I need to solidify my ERA and WHIP, although I'm fine this week.

Thanks

[AtlDynasty25]

I'm doing the same thing this year punting saves. And decided to fill the void left by closers with stud MR's. I have M. Gonzalez, Rincon, Calero, and Ayala. It's working to a charm this week. So far they've given me 9.2 IP 0 ER 12K 2BB 0.51 WHIP. Certainly helping my ratios. Unfortunately, a couple of these guys could be gone in your league already. Your SP looks awesome though. You shouldn't have any ERA problems. You could probably trade Lyon, or a SP for some of the guys I mentioned above if you're so inclined.

[BritSox]

That doesn't look like a punting saves team to me, that looks like a trying to get cheap saves team. Surely there are some elite MR still available who will put up better peripherals than Lyon and Brazoban?

[Dawgpound 1613]

That doesn't look like a punting saves team to me, that looks like a trying to get cheap saves team. Surely there are some elite MR still available who will put up better peripherals than Lyon and Brazoban?

Agree - 1.5 closers isn't punting saves. Brazoban should have decent peripherals, though, and I would keep him even after Gagne comes back.

If you're going to try and do well in wins and Ks w/o hurting ERA/WHIP, you should have at least 5 starters, with at least 3 good starters to help cover the effects the other two might have on your ERA and WHIP. With Schmidt, Sheets, Peavy and, if healthy, Harden - I think you have that covered. Hopefully Colon will fall into that as well, leaving only Haren and Bedard as possible questions marks - though both should help in K.

If you're truly going to punt saves, you could look to package Lyon and one of those two for another good starter to a team that is looking for saves. Then pick up a good MR with K ability. Figuring out who will vulture wins is tough, but I try and get 7th or 8th inning MR on teams with good offenses. Doesn't always work, and there may be a better strategy, but the high Ks and low ERA and WHIP will help in 3 categories.