As mentioned last week, this will be the final issue of Waiver Relief for the 2025 season. I’ve had a blast writing this column, and hope that I’ve been a premier – or at least useful – resource to you, my dear readers. With fantasy bullpen management being as crucial a task as there is, I’m aware that this makes me a hero of sorts, and I willingly accept the myriad accolades that come my way.
For my final issue, I’ll recap the week in closer news that saw two key injuries (Randy Rodríguez and Trevor Megill), and provide my ultimate rankings for saves, holds, and SPRPs.
Thanks for reading!
(stats updated through Saturday, 8/30)
Closer News (by team)
ARI
Andrew Saalfrank has emerged as a fringe option for saves in Arizona. Saalfrank continues to get the job done despite underwhelming peripherals, with a 1.27 ERA belying a 4.04 SIERA and 18.3% strikeout rate. On nights when Saalfrank is used in earlier high-leverage spots against left-handed hitters, Jake Woodford has the inside track for saves. Both Saalfrank and Woodford are desperation options only, and land at the bottom of my closer rankings to follow.
ATH
It appears the season will conclude without any real closer in Sacramento (never did get used to saying that). The Athletics‘ saves should fall to some random mish-mosh of Sean Newcomb, Tyler Ferguson, Hogan Harris, and Elvis Alvarado. Alvarado would be the one guy with some upside here, but there isn’t enough time left in the season to realize it.
DET
While Will Vest picked up both of the Tigers’ saves this week, I have to point out Kyle Finnegan’s numbers since joining the Tigers at the deadline. Finnegan has covered 13.1 innings over 11 appearances, racking up three wins, four saves, and a hold. He’s allowed just six baserunners against 18 strikeouts with nary an earned run in sight. Vest has been at best mediocre over the same stretch, which has brought the season-long numbers between the two to a near carbon copy.
For my final closer rankings, I simply flipped a coin, and it landed on Finnegan, so I placed him a spot higher. No, not really. Or did I? Nah. Or…?
LAD
Tanner Scott returned from the IL and stepped right back into the ninth inning, picking up L.A.’s only save this week in a 6-3 win on Tuesday. Scott is the only Dodger worth rostering for saves, but manager Dave Roberts has been unpredictable. Expect Blake Treinen in particular to vulture a save or two.
MIL
One of two closers landing on the IL this week, Trevor Megill hit the shelf on Wednesday with a right elbow flexor strain. Megill stated that he hopes to be activated when first eligible on September 9th, making him an easy IL stash if that’s relevant to your fantasy season. In the meantime, Abner Uribe is a must-roster for saves, with Shelby Miller next in line.
MIN
There’s no Twin with a clear-enough edge at closer to be worth rostering in almost any league. Justin Topa has slipped, having pitched poorly for two weeks running and entering in the sixth inning on Friday. Cole Sands has been terrific over the same stretch, pitching eight innings with just five baserunners allowed against 13 strikeouts. Sands is the best bet here, and lands near the bottom of both my closer and SPRP rankings below.
SF
I made a sadly accurate prediction here last week that Randy Rodríguez may be overworked following his first full MLB season. Rodriguez landed on the IL, and news of the dreaded Tommy John has made the rounds, ending his 2025 and possibly even 2026 seasons. Ryan Walker launches off the watchlist and up my final closer rankings.
TEX
Shawn Armstrong picked up the Rangers’ only save this week on Friday night against the A’s. It was particularly notable in that Armstrong pitched the eighth and stayed in to end things despite Phil Maton likely being available. Maton then entered in the eighth inning with a four-run lead the following evening.
Armstrong – one of the best relievers in baseball all season – now seems to have cleanly taken over the ninth inning for Texas. He finds himself in the middle of my closer rankings and atop my SPRP rankings as the season concludes.
Closer Rankings (%-rostered Yahoo)
NOTE: I am only ranking those who have at least a share of closing duties; high-end secondary options, i.e. Mason Miller, are not featured here.
- Aroldis Chapman – BOS (90%)
- Edwin Diaz – NYM (98%)
- Andrés Muñoz – SEA (98%)
- Jhoan Duran – PHI (95%)
- Robert Suarez – SD (95%)
- Bryan Abreu – HOU (60%)
- Pete Fairbanks – TB (83%)
- David Bednar – NYY (76%)
- Raisel Iglesias – ATL (92%)
- Cade Smith – CLE (57%)
- Daniel Palencia – CHC (63%)
- Jose A. Ferrer – WAS (23%)
- Abner Uribe – MIL (43%)
- Jeff Hoffman – TOR (93%)
- Carlos Estévez – KC (89%)
- Dennis Santana – PIT (35%)
- Ryan Walker – SF (71%)
- Emilio Pagán – CIN (73%)
- Kenley Jansen – LAA (79%)
- Tanner Scott – LAD (81%)
- Shawn Armstrong – TEX (8%)
- Calvin Faucher – MIA (21%)
- Kyle Finnegan – DET (77%)
- Will Vest – DET (55%)
- Victor Vodnik – COL (18%)
- Riley O’Brien – STL (8%)
- JoJo Romero – STL (24%)
- Keegan Akin – BAL (8%)
- Andrew Saalfrank – ARI (7%)
- Cole Sands – MIN (2%)
- Elvis Alvarado – ATH (<1%)
- Jake Woodford – ARI (<1%)
IL Stash: Trevor Megill (MIL)
Holds – Top 10 (<=10%-rostered)
- Garrett Cleavinger – TB (5%)
- Gabe Speier – SEA (7%)
- Edwin Uceta – TB (10%)
- Fernando Cruz – NYY (8%)
- Matt Brash – SEA (9%)
- Bryan King – HOU (8%)
- Reid Detmers – LAA (5%)
- Bryan Baker – TB (1%)
- Phil Maton – TEX (10%)
- Caleb Thielbar – CHC (6%)
Honorable Mention: Pierce Johnson (ATL), Steven Okert (HOU), Erik Sabrowski (CLE), Seranthony Domínguez (TOR), Isaac Mattson (PIT)
SPRP – Top 10
- Shawn Armstrong – TEX (8%)
- Garrett Whitlock – BOS (16%)
- Fernando Cruz – NYY (8%)
- Reid Detmers – LAA (5%)
- Steven Matz – BOS (3%)
- Tyler Holton – DET (11%)
- Jack Dreyer – LAD (2%)
- José Buttó – SF (1%)
- Ben Casparius – LAD (7%)
- Keegan Akin – BAL (8%)
Honorable Mention: Jared Koenig (MIL), Louis Varland (TOR), Cole Sands (MIN), Drew Pomeranz (CHC), Sean Newcomb (ATH)
