It was a crucial week to watch for fantasy bullpens as we began getting color on usage following last Thursday’s trade deadline. My previous article took an extensive dive into the relief pitching landscape following the upheaval. With a couple of exceptions, the information and recommendations there held up well. Feel free to give it a read before going forward.
This week, I’m covering what I got wrong (MIN), what I got right (most of the rest!), and updating my closer rankings. For holds, I’m doing something different this week. Rather than providing a few new pickups, I’m ranking my top-10 setup men with a 5% roster rate and below.
(stats updated through Saturday, 8/9)
Closer News (by team)
ARI
The Diamondbacks lost their fourth closer this season with Kevin Ginkel hitting the 60-day IL on Wednesday. It’s unlikely we see an Arizona reliever worth rostering in any format, but you can keep an eye on guys like Andrew Hoffmann, Kyle Backhus, Jalen Beeks, and Andrew Saalfrank. Or I guess let me do it. Fine.
ATH
No Athletics saves this week. It was a mediocre one for Michael Kelly, who allowed two earned runs and six baserunners over 3.1 innings. I noted Kelly’s outperformance in last week’s article; his ERA should gravitate closer to something starting with a 4 than a 1. Sean Newcomb continues to excel in a high-leverage relief role for the A’s, and should pick up a handful of saves against lefty-heavy lineups. Newcomb makes for a solid piece of a fantasy roster in save+hold leagues, particularly those where his SP eligibility holds weight. Otherwise, guys like Justin Sterner and Elvis Alvarado make for borderline watchlist material.
BAL
As predicted, Keegan Akin has emerged as the leading candidate for saves in Baltimore. Akin has recorded both of the Orioles’ saves since the deadline. I’d imagine handedness still comes into play, and if the seventh or eighth innings provide a high-leverage opportunity against left-handed hitters, it may be Yennier Cano in the ninth instead. For now, only Akin seems worthy of a roster spot in most leagues. Like Newcomb, his SP eligibility provides a boost in value.
DET
It was a great week for Kyle Finnegan, who’s been dominant since joining the Tigers at the deadline. Finnegan earned a save in each of his three appearances for Detroit, with five strikeouts and just one baserunner allowed across 3.1 innings. We know better than to trust manager A.J. Hinch’s bullpen management—for fantasy purposes at least—but Finnegan has taken a large lead over Will Vest for saves going forward.
MIN
Following the deadline, I relegated Justin Topa to the watchlist and touted Cole Sands as the clear frontrunner for the Twins’ closing duties. Sands proceeded to make three appearances, none of which came in the ninth inning. Topa picked up a save on Tuesday, pitching a clean ninth in a 6-3 win. I’ll flip the order on my rankings this week, with Topa entering near the bottom and Sands hitting the watchlist. Generally, the Minnesota bullpen is one to avoid.
NYY
It’s been an up-and-down season for Devin Williams, as I announce my candidacy for 2025’s Understatement of the Year awards. Alas, this week was very much a down, as Williams has now allowed at least one earned run in five straight appearances. I’d be shocked if we see Williams in a save situation again, and would go as far as saying that he is now finally droppable in most leagues. David Bednar is the clear choice for Yankee saves going forward, completing a remarkable turnaround from his demotion to Triple-A earlier this season. Bednar makes for a top 5-10 fantasy closer the rest of the way.
STL
The Cardinals’ three post-deadline saves were split between JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien. The best indicator of usage between the two came in Friday’s 5-0 win over the Cubs: Romero pitched the eighth against a lefty and switch-hitting portion of the Cubs’ lineup, with O’Brien entering in the ninth to seal the deal.
I think I got this one right in last week’s article. Saves should come down to handedness, giving O’Brien a slight edge over Romero. Expect a near-even split going forward.
TEX
While Robert Garcia still had the edge for saves in Texas following the deadline, his recent performance has washed that away entirely. In August, Garcia’s four appearances have seen him allow five earned runs and nine baserunners over 2.2 innings, with two blown saves and losses each. His last appearance came in the fifth inning of a blowout loss to the Phillies. The newly-acquired Phil Maton should take over here and make for a high-end fantasy closer the rest of the way.
Closer Rankings (<75%-rostered Yahoo)
- David Bednar – NYY (67%)
- Randy Rodríguez – SF (48%)
- Daniel Palencia – CHC (60%)
- Phil Maton – TEX (20%)
- Kyle Finnegan – DET (73%)
- Dennis Santana – PIT (32%)
- Jose A. Ferrer – WAS (7%)
- Calvin Faucher – MIA (30%)
- Alex Vesia – LAD (28%)
- Blake Treinen – LAD (14%)
- Riley O’Brien – STL (2%)
- JoJo Romero – STL (27%)
- Keegan Akin – BAL (5%)
- Will Vest – DET (51%)
- Sean Newcomb – ATH (3%)
- Justin Topa – MIN (2%)
- Victor Vodnik – COL (1%)
The Watchlist: Yennier Cano (BAL), Cole Sands (MIN), Andrew Hoffmann (ARI), Kyle Backhus (ARI), Michael Kelly (ATH)
Holds Rankings (<=5%-rostered Yahoo)
- Garrett Cleavinger – TB (4%)
- Gabe Speier – SEA (5%)
- Braydon Fisher – TOR (1%)
- Bennett Sousa – HOU (3%)
- Danny Coulombe – TEX (4%)
- Dylan Lee – ATL (5%)
- Pierce Johnson – ATL (2%)
- Shawn Armstrong – TEX (3%)
- Erik Sabrowski – CLE (1%)
- Caleb Thielbar – CHC (3%)
Honorable Mention: Steven Okert (HOU), Hoby Milner (TEX), Gregory Soto (NYM), Nick Mears (MIL), Drew Pomeranz (CHC)
