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Fantasy baseball closer breakouts, sleepers, waiver wire add/drop analysis for Week 8 of 2026 include Gregory Soto, Jack Perkins, Erik Miller, Rico Garcia, more.
Finding reliable sources of savings on the waiver wire can often be challenging. Though there are the top options like Mason Miller, many mid-tier relievers have either been shifted to the injured list or have struggled early on.
As a result, several relievers have begun to save more save opportunities and are seeing their fantasy value increase ahead of Week 8 of the fantasy baseball season.
Should fantasy managers pick up these emerging closers? Let's dive in!
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Gregory Soto, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Availability: 40% rostered
2026 Stats: 21 1/3 IP, 1.69 ERA, 0.70 SO, 26 SO, 4 SV
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto picked up his fourth save of the season on Tuesday in his team's 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. Soto allowed two hits and an earned run, but managed to shut the door on the Rockies in the ninth. The 31-year-old is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, as he's pitched to a 1.69 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with 26 strikeouts across 21 1/2 innings pitched.
Soto has also earned saves in three out of his last four appearances and appears to be emerging as the primary closer in Pittsburgh after opening the season in a setup role. In any league where he's not already rostered, Soto profiles as a must-add closer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
-Written by Will Brady
Jack Perkins, RP, Athletics
Availability: 15% rostered
2026 Stats: 17 IP, 4.76 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 22 SO, 3 SV
Athletics right-handed reliever Jack Perkins blew his second save of the season and took his second loss of 2026 in Thursday's 5-4 loss in Sacramento to the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Perkins entered in the top of the ninth inning with a one-run lead in a 4-3 ballgame but proceeded to allow two earned runs on three hits without a walk or a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.
He blew his first save on May 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies and took the loss when he gave up four runs (two earned) while walking one and striking out two. In his two outings after that, Perkins gave up an earned run with one hold in 1 2/3 innings pitched, so he has now given up five earned runs in his last 3 2/3 innings for the A's, which could easily cause him to lose his grip on the closer's role for the A's.
After his second blown save on Thursday, his ERA swells to 4.76. Hogan Harris picked up the team's last save last Friday, and he could get the team's next save opportunity with Perkins struggling of late. Perkins is currently rostered in just 18% of Yahoo leagues.
- Written by Keith Hernandez
Erik Miller, RP, San Francisco Giants
Availability: 5% rostered
2026 Stats: 11 1/3 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 17 SO, 2 SV
- Written by Will Brady
Bryan King, RP, Houston Astros
Availability: 10% rostered
2026 Stats: 17 2/3 IP, 3.57 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 15 SO, 3 SV
- Written by Zach Thompson
Rico Garcia, RP, Baltimore Orioles
Availability: 35% rostered
2026 Stats: 19 IP, 0.47 ERA, 0.42 WHIP, 22 SO, 3 SV
- Written by Julian Brooke
Caleb Kilian, RP, San Francisco Giants
Availability: 10% rostered
2026 Stats: 19 1/3 IP, 1.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 19 SO, 2 SV
- Written by Julian Brooke
Updated Closers and Saves Depth Charts
Check out our updated closer depth charts for each of the 30 MLB teams that are updated regularly by Nick Mariano.
AL EAST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Current Closer |
Direct Backup |
More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Yankees | David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Tim Hill, Brent Headrick, Camilo Doval | N/A |
| Solid | Red Sox | Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten | Greg Weissert, Zack Kelly | N/A |
| Solid | Blue Jays | Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers, Jeff Hoffman | Braydon Fisher, Joe Mantiply, Mason Fluharty, Yimi Garcia (IL) | Louis Varland |
| Questionable | Orioles | Rico Garcia | Anthony Nunez, Ryan Helsley (IL) | Andrew Kittredge, Yennier Cano, Grant Wolfram, Keegan Akin, Felix Bautista (IL) | Rico Garcia |
| Solid | Rays | Bryan Baker | Cole Sulser, Garrett Cleavinger | Kevin Kelly, Hunter Bigge, Ian Seymour, Edwin Uceta (IL) | Garrett Cleavinger |
AL CENTRAL: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating |
Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup | More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Tigers | Kenley Jansen | Kyle Finnegan | Drew Anderson, Tyler Holton, Brenan Hanifee, Brant Hurter, Will Vest (IL) | N/A |
| Questionable | White Sox | Seranthony Dominguez | Grant Taylor, Bryan Hudson | Sean Newcomb, Jordan Hicks | Grant Taylor, Bryan Hudson |
| Solid | Guardians | Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis | Matt Festa, Tim Herrin, Colin Holderman, Shawn Armstrong (IL) | Erik Sabrowski |
| Solid | Royals | Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm, Daniel Lynch IV, Carlos Estevez (IL) | Nick Mears, John Schreiber | N/A |
| Committee | Twins | Eric Orze, Justin Topa, Kody Funderburk | Taylor Rogers, Cole Sands (IL) | Yoendrys Gomez, Anthony Banda | N/A |
AL WEST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup | More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Rangers | Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis, Robert Garcia (IL) | Cole Winn, Tyler Alexander, Jalen Beeks, Gavin Collyer | Jacob Latz |
| Committee | Angels | Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman | Kirby Yates, Ben Joyce (IL) | Brent Suter, Chase Silseth, Drew Pomeranz (IL) | Ben Joyce (IL), Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman |
| Volatile | Athletics | Jack Perkins, Hogan Harris | Mark Leiter Jr., Joel Kuhnel | Justin Sterner, Scott Barlow | Jack Perkins |
| Volatile | Astros | Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos | Bryan Abreu, Josh Hader (IL) | AJ Blubaugh, Steven Okert | Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos |
| Solid | Mariners | Andres Munoz | Eduard Bazardo, Jose A. Ferrer (PAT) | Cooper Criswell, Matt Brash (IL), Gabe Speier (IL) | N/A |
NL EAST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup | More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Braves | Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee | Tyler Kinley, Reynaldo Lopez, Aaron Bummer, Joe Jimenez (IL) | N/A |
| Committee | Marlins | Anthony Bender, Calvin Faucher, Tyler Phillips | John King, Pete Fairbanks (IL) | Andrew Nardi, Josh Ekness, Michael Petersen | Tyler Phillips, John King |
| Solid | Mets | Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley, Huascar Brazoban, A.J. Minter (IL) | N/A |
| Solid | Phillies | Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller, Jose Alvarado | Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks, Tim Mayza | N/A |
| Volatile | Nationals | Gus Varland | Richard Lovelady | PJ Poulin, Brad Lord, Clayton Beeter (IL) | Gus Varland |
NL CENTRAL: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup | More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Cubs | Daniel Palencia | Phil Maton, Ben Brown | Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, Hunter Harvey (IL), Caleb Thielbar (IL), Riley Martin (IL) | N/A |
| Committee | Reds | Graham Ashcraft, Pierce Johnson | Brock Burke, Tejay Antone, Emilio Pagan (IL) | Connor Phillips, Tony Santillan, Sam Moll | Graham Ashcraft, Pierce Johnson |
| Solid | Brewers | Abner Uribe | Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby, Grant Anderson, DL Hall | N/A |
| Questionable | Pirates | Gregory Soto | Dennis Santana | Isaac Mattson, Mason Montgomery, Justin Lawrence | Gregory Soto |
| Solid | Cardinals | Riley O'Brien | JoJo Romero, Ryne Stanek | Justin Bruihl, George Soriano | N/A |
NL WEST: 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers & Saves
| RotoBaller Stability Rating | Team Name | Current Closer | Direct Backup |
More Holds Candidates |
Waiver Wire Add |
| Solid | Diamondbacks | Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Jonathan Loaisiga, Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, A.J. Puk (IL), Justin Martinez (IL) | Juan Morillo |
| Volatile | Rockies | Antonio Senzatela, Victor Vodnik | Jimmy Herget | Jaden Hill, Zach Agnos, Brennan Bernardino, Juan Mejia | Antonio Senzatela |
| Solid | Dodgers | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia, Edwin Diaz (IL) | Blake Treinen, Jack Dreyer, Will Klein, Brusdar Graterol (IL) | Tanner Scott |
| Solid | Padres | Mason Miller | Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez, Jeremiah Estrada | N/A |
| Volatile | Giants | Caleb Kilian | Keaton Winn Erik Miller (IL) | Joel Peguero, Matt Gage, Gregory Santos | Caleb Kilian |
Who Should I Pickup Fantasy Baseball Tool
Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
2026 Player Decisions. Looking to pick up someone else instead? Today's focus is on specific players like Gregory Soto, Jack Perkins, Erik Miller, Caleb Kilian, Rico Garcia, Bryan King, Louis Varland, Bryan Baker, Victor Vodnik. These are some common searches for 2026 fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four MLB players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy baseball rankings, projections, and more.
Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2026. You'll see MLB player tiles with stats, projections, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Looking to pick up someone else instead? Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2026 for players like Gregory Soto, Jack Perkins, Erik Miller, Caleb Kilian, Rico Garcia, Bryan King, Louis Varland, Bryan Baker, Victor Vodnik:
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