X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

2020 Early Bullpen Outlooks - A.L. West

David A Marcillo dives into each AL West team's bullpen heading into the 2020 fantasy baseball season. This series will look into each division in order to advise for fantasy value and ADP.

Welcome to 2020, fantasy friends. There are two football teams left and basketball and hockey are doing their things, so it's past time now to start thinking about the 2020 baseball season.

Free agency has been a little more front-loaded this season, leaving fewer questions about rosters heading into Spring Training. Still, there will be changes between now and Opening Day, so keep an eye on our Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Depth Charts throughout the year.

Let's get into it again, this time with the American League West, where not much has changed in terms of bullpens and only one team is entering Spring Training with a question mark at closer.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Updates

Update 2/14/2020: All quiet on the AL West -ern front, no changes so far in the bullpens.

 

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are expecting a better season in 2020. They finished 78-84 last season, but they added a few pieces and made a big splash by getting ace starting pitcher Corey Kluber in a trade with the Cleveland Indians. They may still struggle to compete in a top-heavy division, but they are indeed likely to improve. As far as the bullpen goes, Jose Leclerc should enter the season as the closer once again. He struggled mightily at times last season, but ended up with 14 saves in 18 chances, posting a 4.33 ERA/4.21 xFIP. He was tough to hit, with a solid 33.4 K%, but that came with a concerning 13.0 BB%. That was Leclerc's main issue: control. When he was on, he looked like one of the best relievers in the division. If he can find more consistency this season, he could be one of the best values in fantasy drafts coming up.

Bridging the gap to Leclerc and potentially taking over if the closer struggles again will be former Mets top prospect Rafael Montero. Montero did well in 29 innings with the Rangers last season, posting a 2.48 ERA/3.45 xFIP with an impressive 30.1 K% and 4.4 BB%. Thr 29-year-old showed signs of a mid-career breakout and could have plenty of value in holds leagues this year. The Rangers bullpen will also include guys like Jesse Chavez, Brett Martin, and Nick Goody, but there would need to be injuries ahead of them for those three to make much noise in standard fantasy leagues.

 

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have the best player in baseball in the outfield and one of the most exciting players in baseball in the lineup and occasionally on the mound. Yet those same Los Angeles Angels have been no better than mediocre for several years now. They are hoping for something different in 2020, and the addition of Anthony Rendon may help push them in that direction (that starting rotation still looks rough though.) The bullpen should be solid once again, anchored by Hansel Robles in the ninth inning. Robles was good in 2019, saving 23 games in 27 tries while putting up a 2.48 ERA/3.89 xFIP. That difference is a little concerning, but his 26.5 K% and 5.7 BB% show that he has the talent to potentially outperform his predictors.

Also in the Angels bullpen will be Ty Buttrey, who at times looked like the best reliever in the AL West last season. Combining his dominant peaks with some valleys led to his overall 2019 numbers: 3.98 ERA/3.90 xFIP with 26 holds and 27.2 K% with 7.4 BB%. The tantalizing upside he showed at the beginning of the season may lead to Buttrey being a bit overdrafted in holds leagues this season, but there is always the chance that he reaches and maintains that upside. Cam Bedrosian will work in a setup role alongside Buttrey but is more of one of those "good in real life" guys than a strong fantasy consideration.

 

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland A's will start 2020 without the guy they had closing for them on Opening Day 2019. But despite that, they've actually improved. Blake Treinen's rough 2019 led to the emergence of All-Star closer Liam Hendriks, who took the ninth inning over and never looked back. Hendriks saved 25 games and put up a strong 1.80 ERA. His 3.21 xFIP shows that there may be some regression at hand, but other predictors seem to think he'll be more than solid once again in 2020. His 2019 rate stats were excellent, as he came up with a 37.4 K% to go with a 6.3 BB%. He should be one of the top closers in fantasy, but because of a relative lack of name recognition, he could be quite a value pick in the middle rounds.

The rest of the Oakland bullpen is a bit cloudy right now in terms of roles. Jake Diekman should have a late-inning role and offers possible holds and strikeouts (29.8 K% in 2019) but can get a little wild and give up too many base runners (13.8 BB%). Joakim Soria is a safer bet in holds leagues (28.4 K%, 7.2 BB%), but neither makes for a particularly exciting option. A.J. Puk put up some exciting innings at the end of 2019, but his role in 2020 is still up in the air.

 

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros have been all the talk of the baseball world lately for all the wrong reasons, but their relievers (probably) had nothing to do with all that, so let's see what the buzz is about in the bullpen. Roberto Osuna returns for another year in the ninth inning. He was very good last season, saving 38 games in 44 tries. He pitched to a 2.63 ERA/3.60 xFIP with 28.9 K% and 4.7 BB%. He doesn't offer the elite strikeout rate of some other closers, but his pinpoint control helps him avoid the big innings and ERA/WHIP blowups that some other relievers can suffer from now and then. On a team that should still be good and will provide him with plenty of save chances, Osuna is one of the safer fantasy options.

Ryan Pressly will resume his role as Osuna's primary setup man. He was outstanding in 2019, putting up 31 holds and a pristine 2.32 ERA/2.21 xFIP. His rate stats were great too, as his 34.1 K% and 5.7 BB% are both excellent numbers. Pressly is one of the top relievers in holds leagues and should be drafted ahead of many closers in that format. Chris Devenski, Brad Peacock, and Joe Smith could all offer some fantasy value in deeper leagues as well, and their roles should be monitored throughout Grapefruit League play.

 

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are the only AL West team entering 2020 without a bona fide closer in their bullpen. For now, it seems like Matt Magill is the leading candidate for the closer's role, but this is a ninth inning that will either be determined in Spring Training or left to a committee approach to start the season. Magill spent a little time in the ninth inning last season, saving five games while putting up a 4.09 ERA/3.95 xFIP. His 28.0 K% and 8.7 BB% were both fine but nothing to get excited about. If he wins the closer's role, he'll be one of those solid enough closers to be owned in most fantasy formats, but not to be much of a difference maker.

Sam Tuivailala will be in the mix as well. He put up a 2.35 ERA/5.07 xFIP with 28.7 K% and 11.7 BB%. Predictors aren't kind to Tuivailala, and a lot of that is based on his trouble with control. He has swing-and-miss upside, but he needs to throw strikes. Brandon Brennan, Dan Altavilla, and Carl Edwards Jr. will all be in the late-inning mix as well and any of them could end up as the closer. "Mariners Closer" is unlikely to be a particularly fantasy-relevant role in 2020, but it's always worth rostering a full-time closer, so this is a ninth inning competition to keep an eye on.

More 2020 Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP