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I like to start this article each week talking about how fluid bullpens around the league have been. This week is no different as we have seen changes due to performance, injuries and more. But, we are starting to see more and more bullpens start to settle around the league.
Teams that we once questioned who would be used in save situations, like the Pirates, Rangers, Tigers, Padres, Giants and Phillies all have set closers now. Of course, that can change over time, but given the fact that these teams have a set option means that there are fewer saves becoming available on the waiver wire. It is another reason why you should be aggressive on the waiver wire early on when it comes to potential closers. But, it also means if you need saves, you need to be aggressive with the teams that are still fluid.
Those chances you take are not guaranteed to work out, but if you are weak on saves, you have no choice but to take a shot or two until something sticks. Of course, there will also be huge shakeups the closer we get to the trade deadline, so hope is not lost. But to be able to make a run at that point, you will need to at least somewhat stay afloat in the saves category until then. Taking some fliers on the available arms this week can help.
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Changing Bullpens
The Cubs had a set closer in David Robertson, but then he landed on the IL. Well, he is back and once again taken command as the closer in the north side of Chicago. He picked up his sixth save of the season on Monday against the Reds. He leads this pen in saves and clearly is the top option whenever he is available. If anyone dropped Robertson while he was sidelined, then pounce and add him while you still can. Robertson remains a trade candidate, but as long as he is getting the save chances for the Cubs, he is worth rostering everywhere. Also, if he misses time or is dealt, we know Rowan Wick is next in line for save chances.
The Twins seemingly have a committee going, but its fine as long as both their options continue to pitch like that currently are. We saw Jhoan Duran pick up his third save on Sunday, then on Monday pitch the final two innings and pick up the win. On the year, Pagan has six saves, while Duran has three. Pagan has pitched to a 1.84 ERA, 3.77 xERA, 3.46 xFIP, 1.43 WHIP and a 30 percent strikeout rate. Duran has pitched to a 2.66 ERA, 1.99 xERA, 1.61 xFIP, 0.74 WHIP and a 40 percent strikeout rate. Duran has pitched better, but Pagan, who has closing experience, is the one that has received more opportunities. Both should be rostered and started until we see one firmly take over as the closer, which we never may.
The Yankees thought they had a set closer in Aroldis Chapman, but that is in jeopardy. While Chapman has not blown a save this year and picked up nine, he has been struggling. On the year he has pitched to a 3.86 ERA, 5.21 xERA, 4.89 xFIP, 1.64 WHIP with just a 23 percent strikeout rate. He came in on Sunday in a tie game against the White Sox and struggled, picking up his second loss of the season. While he has closed the door when asked, he has not been the same pitcher he used to be and his struggles have been highlighted in this article before. The Yankees are now saying he is dealing with an Achilles injury and have not ruled out an IL stint. The Yankees also have a fantastic option in Clay Holmes, who has four saves this season and pitched to a 0.42 ERA, 1.30 xERA, 1.84 xFIP, 0.69 WHIP with a 27 percent strikeout rate. Holmes should be added anywhere he is available, as he has sky high potential if he can manage to steal the job away from Chapman, who the Yankees have no commitment to beyond this season.
Speculative Save Situations
The Diamondbacks save situation is pretty gross as the moment. Mark Melancon has received the bulk of chances this year, converting nine of them, including each of his last two chances. But he has a 7.53 ERA, 4.73 xERA, 4.83 xFIP with a 1.88 WHIP and just a 10 percent strikeout rate. At that point, you are playing with fire. The issue is, their backup option Ian Kennedy has struggled as well. Kennedy, who has three saves and two blown, pitched to a 3.93 ERA, 4.63 xERA, 4.98 xFIP with a 1.64 WHIP and 18 percent strikeout rate. He’s certainly been better, but not by much. Their best option is Joe Mantiply, who has picked up two saves and pitched to a 0.53 ERA, 1.72 xERA, 2.41 xFIP, 0.82 WHIP with a 23 percent strikeout rate. He could win out in the long run and is a strong stash candidate for save needy teams.
The Brewers will be without ace closer Josh Hader for at least the next few days. Hader’s wife is having complications with pregnancy and Hader will stay with her. While we all hope the best for Hader and his family, he will be away from the Brewers for at least the opening series this week and maybe beyond. Luckily for Milwaukee, they have another elite option in Devin Williams. He has two saves already on the year and while he normally provides elite ratios and strikeouts, he could also tack on a save or two this week. Grab him in daily formats if he remains out there.
The Marlins have four different relievers to pick up a save this season. There are a number of different options such as Anthony Bender, who leads this pen with six saves, but there is also Cole Sulser, Anthony Bass, Dylan Floro and Tanner Scott. But the biggest issue is they have not had a save chance in the entire month of May. So we have a situation with a team that is currently not getting many chances and then we cannot say with much certainty who the next save opportunity will go too. Bender would be the top option here, but this is a situation best left to avoid until we get some clarity.
The Red Sox are featured here each and every week because there is no rhyme or reason with this bullpen. We saw Matt Barnes get his third save on Saturday and then the chance on Sunday went to Hansel Robles, who blew it. Jake Diekman ended up getting the win on Sunday. The save chance prior, which occurred on Monday, went to Robles. Barnes and Robles each have two saves, leading the Sox. John Schreiber and Matt Strahm are other options here as well. While it has been anything but easy to trust Red Sox relievers, Robles and Barnes, in that order, seem like the top options to roster moving forward.
The Reds and Red Sox are the pointing Spider-man gif when it comes to save situations. As of last week no Reds relievers had multiple saves, but that changed as Tony Santillan picked up his second save on Thursday and then Art Warren got his second one on Sunday. We also saw Alexis Diaz pick up a save earlier in the week in an extra inning game. Neither Santillan or Warren have been particularly strong options as they both have an ERA over five, with high WHIP’s and decent strikeout rates. This is on a team that is not going to win many games. While I can comfortably say that these are the two relievers worth rostering here, at least for the time being, neither needs to be rostered. Both are more deeper league options for save needy teams.
The Rays lost Andrew Kittredge to a back injury. Kittredge leads the Rays with five saves, while Brooks Raley has three, Ryan Thompson two, but he did blow the save chance on Sunday, and Jason Adam has one. They also have another candidate in J.P. Feyereisen. The Rays just going with an all out committee can never be ruled out. Raley, who is a lefty, should be picked up for the time being. The only issue is with him being a southpaw the Rays may continue to be selective when they use Raley. Adam, who has been the best reliever of the bunch, remains a sleeper that is worth taking a flier on in fantasy.
The Mariners have three relievers, Paul Sewald, Drew Steckenrider and Diego Castillo with two saves each and Andres Munoz has picked up a save. But, Sewald has picked up each of his saves in the past two weeks, including locking down one on Monday night. While this has been a tough situation to figure out, Sewald seems to be taking a lead on save chances, like he did last year. He is the top option in this pen, followed by Steckenrider, Munoz and Castillo - in that order.
Elite Ratio and Strikeout Relievers
Caleb Smith leads all relievers with 11.1 innings pitched over the past two weeks. He has pitched to a 2.38 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 1.15 WHIP with a 28 percent strikeout rate. He will not blow anyone away, but he can give solid ratios and strikeouts while putting up starting pitcher innings.
Aaron Ashby has a 56 percent strikeout rate in five innings over the past two weeks - while not allowing a run or base runner over that span. He can provide great ratios and strikeouts and perhaps a save chance or two while Hader is out.
A.J. Minter may not get save chance, but in 18.2 innings this year he has pitched to a 1.45 ERA, 0.80 WHIP with a 39 percent strikeout rate. That certainly is useful for teams that just need to stream some relievers.
Michael King has pitched to a 2.03 ERA with a 2.48 xERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 38 percent strikeout rate in 26.2 innings. He gives starting pitcher innings with elite ratios and strikeouts and perhaps could see himself get a save chance or two with Chapman both banged up and struggling. King should certainly be rostered in Roto formats.
Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.
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