It’s been some time since we’ve paused to take stock of every team’s closer situation here in the Bullpen Report. Half a season’s time. Yes, most teams have played 81 games by now, and most have seen some closer turnover since the season began. For those of you who’ve lost track, I’ve put together this handy guide depicting not just who’s in line for saves where, but who’s next in line and in line after that. This way, you can identify possible holds targets that you may have overlooked, or you can simply back up your closer in leagues where saves are scarce Note: “Pecking order” refers to rosterability in Fantasy and not necessarily who’s first in line for saves (though it’s usually one and the same). Arizona DiamondbacksPecking order
Paul Sewald
ARI RP
Kevin Ginkel
ARI RP
Juan Morillo
ARI RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Paul Sewald
Athletics
Pecking order
Elvis Alvarado
ATH RP
Hogan Harris
ATH RP
Mason Barnett
ATH RP
Confidence in top guy: low Chances of committee: high Who’s rosterable? Elvis Alvarado Every time the Athletics land on a favorite, he fumbles the bag, with Elvis Alvarado being the most recent example. The recent save went to Mason Barnett, who was only called up at the start of June, but I suspect Alvarado is still the loose favorite in a probable committee.
Atlanta Braves
Pecking order
Raisel Iglesias
ATL RP
Robert Suarez
ATL RP
Dylan Lee
ATL RP
Tyler Kinley
ATL RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez Suarez obviously isn’t second in the pecking order now, seeing as he’s on the IL with elbow inflammation, but it doesn’t seem like the sort of injury that will keep him out for long. He remains the best backup closer in the league.
Baltimore Orioles
Pecking order
Ryan Helsley
BAL RP
Rico Garcia
BAL RP
Yennier Cano
BAL RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Ryan Helsley
Boston Red Sox
Pecking order
Aroldis Chapman
BOS RP
Garrett Whitlock
BOS RP
Justin Slaten
BOS RP
Greg Weissert
BOS RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Aroldis Chapman
Chicago Cubs
Pecking order
Daniel Palencia
CHC RP
Jacob Webb
CHC RP
Caleb Thielbar
CHC RP
Trent Thornton
CHC RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: medium Who’s rosterable? Daniel Palencia It’s true that Palencia is sidelined with elbow tendinitis for the moment, but the rest of the Cubs bullpen is so muddled that he remains far and away the most rosterable of their relievers for Fantasy.
Chicago White Sox
Pecking order
Grant Taylor
CHW RP
Seranthony Dominguez
CHW RP
Bryan Hudson
CHW RP
Sean Newcomb
CHW RP
Confidence in top guy: low Chances of committee: high Who’s rosterable? Grant Taylor, Seranthony Dominguez Dominguez is probably still the favorite for a save on any given day, but his usage has become increasingly confused in recent weeks, with Taylor occasionally claiming the higher-leverage spot. Taylor may have overtaken Dominguez by now if not for his own recent hiccups.
Cincinnati Reds
Pecking order
Emilio Pagan
CIN RP
Chase Petty
CIN RP
Pierce Johnson
CIN RP
Tejay Antone
CIN RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Emilio Pagan The Reds finally seemed to have settled on Tony Santillan as the replacement for Emilio Pagan, but now he’s going to miss an extended period with a “significant” oblique strain. No matter. Pagan is on the verge of returning from a hamstring strain, having embarked on a rehab assignment Friday.
Cleveland Guardians
Pecking order
Cade Smith
CLE RP
Hunter Gaddis
CLE RP
Erik Sabrowski
CLE RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Cade Smith
Colorado Rockies
Pecking order
Jimmy Herget
COL RP
Antonio Senzatela
COL RP
Jaden Hill
COL RP
Victor Vodnik
COL RP
Confidence in top guy: low Chances of committee: high Who’s rosterable? nobody Jimmy Herget has notched the last two saves for the Rockies, both in the last week, but you can’t honestly expect anything to come of it.
Detroit Tigers
Pecking order
Kenley Jansen
DET RP
Will Vest
DET RP
Kyle Finnegan
DET RP
Tyler Holton
DET RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: medium Who’s rosterable? Kenley Jansen Jansen has been pretty shaky of late, allowing four runs, three earned, in his recent outing Sunday, which might be dangerous given manager A.J. Hinch’s preference for closing committees. But where else does he have to turn, realistically?
Houston Astros
Pecking order
Josh Hader
HOU RP
Bryan King
HOU RP
Bryan Abreu
HOU RP
Steven Okert
HOU RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Josh Hader
Kansas City Royals
Pecking order
Alex Lange
KC RP
Daniel Lynch
KC RP
Matt Strahm
KC RP
John Schreiber
KC RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: high Who’s rosterable? Alex Lange
Los Angeles Angels
Pecking order
Kirby Yates
LAA RP
Sam Bachman
LAA RP
Ryan Zeferjahn
LAA RP
Sammy Natera
LAA RP
Confidence in top guy: low Chances of committee: high Who’s rosterable? nobody
Los Angeles Dodgers
Pecking order
Edwin Diaz
LAD RP
Tanner Scott
LAD RP
Alex Vesia
LAD RP
Kyle Hurt
LAD RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Edwin Diaz, Tanner Scott Though he entered Sunday’s game in the seventh inning, Scott has pretty much secured the closer role in the immediate term, with each of his previous five appearances being for a save. He may only have a few more weeks in the role, though, with Diaz (loose bodies in elbow) back to throwing bullpen sessions.
Miami Marlins
Pecking order
Pete Fairbanks
MIA RP
Michael Petersen
MIA RP
John King
MIA RP
Calvin Faucher
MIA RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: medium Who’s rosterable? Pete Fairbanks
Milwaukee Brewers
Pecking order
Trevor Megill
MIL RP
Abner Uribe
MIL RP
Aaron Ashby
MIL RP
Chad Patrick
MIL RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: medium Who’s rosterable? Trevor Megill
Minnesota Twins
Pecking order
Yoendrys Gomez
MIN RP
Anthony Banda
MIN RP
Andrew Morris
MIN RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: high Who’s rosterable? Yoendrys Gomez Gomez has recorded six of the Twins’ past nine saves and has more than three times as many saves as anyone else on the team. He isn’t being deployed exclusively in the ninth, but he’s as clear of a front-runner as this team has had all season.
New York Mets
Pecking order
Devin Williams
NYM RP
Luke Weaver
NYM RP
Brooks Raley
NYM RP
A.J. Minter
NYM RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Devin Williams
New York Yankees
Pecking order
David Bednar
NYY RP
Fernando Cruz
NYY RP
Brent Headrick
NYY RP
Camilo Doval
NYY RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? David Bednar
Philadelphia Phillies
Pecking order
Jhoan Duran
PHI RP
Orion Kerkering
PHI RP
Brad Keller
PHI RP
Jose Alvarado
PHI RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Jhoan Duran
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pecking order
Gregory Soto
PIT RP
Dennis Santana
PIT RP
Evan Sisk
PIT RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: medium Who’s rosterable? Gregory Soto Soto has had the job on lockdown since way back in early May, but the cracks have begun to show as he’s allowed 10 runs, nine earned, in his past seven appearances. It’s unclear where the Pirates would turn next, which probably buys Soto some time.
San Diego Padres
Pecking order
Mason Miller
SD RP
Jason Adam
SD RP
Adrian Morejon
SD RP
Jeremiah Estrada
SD RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Mason Miller
San Francisco Giants
Pecking order
Caleb Kilian
SF RP
Keaton Winn
SF RP
Ryan Walker
SF RP
Confidence in top guy: low Chances of committee: high Who’s rosterable? Caleb Kilian Manager Tony Vitello doesn’t always reserve Caleb Kilian for the ninth, but the hard-throwing right-hander has become the clear front-runner for saves here, particularly with Keaton Winn sidelined by an elbow strain.
Seattle Mariners
Pecking order
Andres Munoz
SEA RP
Jose Ferrer
SEA RP
Eduard Bazardo
SEA RP
Matt Brash
SEA RP
Gabe Speier
SEA RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: low Who’s rosterable? Andres Munoz
St. Louis Cardinals
Pecking order
Riley O’Brien
STL RP
JoJo Romero
STL RP
George Soriano
STL RP
Confidence in top guy: medium Chances of committee: medium Who’s rosterable? Riley O’Brien
Tampa Bay Rays
Pecking order
Bryan Baker
TB RP
Kevin Kelly
TB RP
Garrett Cleavinger
TB RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: medium Who’s rosterable? Bryan Baker
Texas Rangers
Pecking order
Jacob Latz
TEX RP
Jake Junis
TEX RP
Tyler Alexander
TEX RP
Peyton Gray
TEX RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: medium Who’s rosterable? Jacob Latz Tyler Alexander recorded a save both Saturday and Sunday, but Jacob Latz has been too good for me to believe his job is in jeopardy. Alexander’s usage was more likely a byproduct of the Rangers having had a bunch of save chances recently, requiring Latz to work five times in a seven-day span.
Toronto Blue Jays
Pecking order
Louie Varland
TOR RP
Jeff Hoffman
TOR RP
Tyler Rogers
TOR RP
Braydon Fisher
TOR RP
Confidence in top guy: high Chances of committee: medium Who’s rosterable? Louie Varland
Washington Nationals
Pecking order
Clayton Beeter
WAS RP
Richard Lovelady
WAS RP
PJ Poulin
WAS RP
Confidence in top guy: low Chances of committee: high Who’s rosterable? Clayton Beeter Sort of like the Giants’ Caleb Kilian, Beeter is more of a loose front-runner for saves than a confirmed closer, often entering games in the seventh and eighth innings. It’s doubtful that anyone else in the Nationals bullpen would get more consistent chances than he would, though.
