strategy question: when to bench good starters to get saves?

[duckbillgates]

For example, I have these starters in a 10-team league:
Johan Santana, Mark Prior, Jake Peavy, Josh Beckett, Barry Zito
I think all these guys deserve to start, but I'm currently maxed out in WHIP, ERA and strikeouts, though I'm in the middle of the pack on saves.
At what point would you consider it save to bench or trade some of these guys to get in some mid-level closers?
I've been starting Lidge and Guardado all season, but I have guys like Fuentes, Street and Farnsworth that could make the difference in one category I can make up ground in. What to do?
More generally, when is it safe to start chasing a category, even if you have to bench a worthy player, e.g. benching a Magglio Ordonez for a Joey Gathright?

[Pablo975]

Well, if you've hit your IP limit, then starting your stud SPs CANNOT hurt you. They either win or they don't. How are you in wins?

Same with your closers, they'll either get you a save or they won't.

The real questions is how many spots can you start? Two RPS and 3 P spots? If that's the case then, yes, I'd start loading all 5 of your closers into your RP and P spots. If you can get a RP like Hermanson or Batista who has SP eligibility, then do so and play them when you're starters aren't going.

An iffy closer like Farnsworth or Fuentes can't hurt you at all as you're not gaining or losing any ERA or WHIP, so if they blow a save, it's not biggie.

And trade an SP for another good bat if it's not a keeper league.

[duckbillgates]

The real questions is how many spots can you start? Two RPS and 3 P spots? If that's the case then, yes, I'd start loading all 5 of your closers into your RP and P spots. If you can get a RP like Hermanson or Batista who has SP eligibility, then do so and play them when you're starters aren't going.

D'oh. I forgot. For my example, I have weekly lineup changes, 2 SP, 2 RP, 3P, so I have to go all or nothing. I'm also third in wins.

But more generally, I'm wondering when you can feel comfortable enough with a lead, particularly in non-cumulative categories like ERA, WHIP and average, to start chasing another one.

By the way, the Ronnie Dobbs avatar ROCKS!