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Michael Florio reviews fantasy baseball closers, saves, and waiver wire pickups for Week 5 of 2025. He analyzes changing bullpens and RP risers with elite ratios.
This is perhaps the biggest week of bullpen news this season. Two big-name closers who fantasy baseball managers paid a very hefty price on draft day to obtain are currently without their teams’ closer gig. Fantasy baseball managers everywhere are surely not panicking!
There are also a number of teams using a closer committee that is vital to figure out. If you are in need of saves, this is a week to be aggressive off the waiver wire.
Plus, there are a lot of great relievers who do not get save chances but provide elite strikeouts and ratios. The best part? They can be had for cheap off the waiver wire.
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Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball
Last week, I wrote that a change could be coming to the Yankees' closer situation. A week later, the Yankees have officially removed Devin Williams from the closer gig. That leaves Luke Weaver as their closer for the time being. While Weaver does not have a save in the last week, he does have two on the year. He has not allowed a run in 14 innings this season, sporting a 0.57 WHIP and 28 percent strikeout rate. He ranks sixth best in WHIP amongst qualified relievers.
Weaver should be universally rostered and started in fantasy baseball as long as he is getting the save chances for the Yankees. Even if/when he slides back into a setup role, he will be an elite ratio/strikeout arm. I would not pull the plug on Williams just yet, who pitched a clean eighth inning on Monday. The upside is far too high, and he will likely get another shot to close. He hits the bench for the time being.
Devin Williams works a 1-2-3 eighth inning pic.twitter.com/CM5JNXgAX3
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 29, 2025
Perhaps even more shocking than the Yankees making a closer change is the Guardians doing so. Emmanuel Clase was otherworldly last season for Cleveland, but so far this season, he has pitched to a 7.15 ERA, 3.52 xERA, 2.03 WHIP, and 20 percent strikeout rate. The Guardians are currently using him in lower-leverage situations to help get him right. That leaves Cade Smith, who has picked up two saves in the last week, as the top closing option right now.
This feels like a more temporary situation. Due to that, I would not spend too much on Smith. However, he is a strong start until we see him transition into more of a set-up role again. Do not panic on Clase. He is too good, and the Guardians are too invested in him to get away fully. He could overtake the closer gig at any point. Both Williams and Clase have seen postseason struggles impact them early in 2025.
2025 is currently the year of the struggling (elite) closer:
- Devin Williams: 11.25 ERA
- Griffin Jax: 8.18 ERA
- Emmanuel Clase: 7.15 ERA
- Raisel Iglesias: 6.30 ERA
- Ryan Walker: 5.91 ERA
- Edwin Diaz: 4.50 ERAWilliams & Clase lost closer role.
— LouisAnalysis (@LouisAnalysis) April 27, 2025
The Pirates are currently a closer by committee with both David Bednar and Dennis Santana picking up a save in the last week. Over the weekend, we saw Santana pitch the eighth and Bednar faced the middle of the Dodgers lineup, racking up the save. As long as both are getting save chances, both are worth rostering in fantasy baseball.
However, if I had to pick one, give me Bednar. He has struck out a third of the batters he has faced, compared to 15 percent for Santana. Plus, Bednar’s 3.37 xERA is better than Santana’s 4.27. The upside is vastly higher with Bednar. You can try and trade Santana high to a save-needy team.
David Bednar is BACK.
He retires the side in the 7th in 8 pitches
96.7 MPH 4-seam, 2363 RPM, 16 IVB, 13 inVB, 9 inHB pic.twitter.com/ppKEjyAnOH
— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) April 23, 2025
The Tigers have become an all-out closer committee with Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest. On the year, Kahnle has picked up four saves to Vest’s three. In the last week, Vest has the lone save for Detroit. That save came in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Saturday.
Kahnle closed out Game 2 with a four-run lead. Both have provided elite ratios as well, with each sporting a sub-one ERA and WHIP. Both are top 10 in WHIP amongst qualified relievers. Vest has been the strikeout arm. For the time being, both can be started in fantasy baseball leagues.
Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball
The Giants have reached full committee territory. On the year, Ryan Walker and Camilo Doval each have five saves. In the last week, Doval has picked up each of the Giants' two saves. Both relievers did pick up a win in that span, with Walker’s coming by pitching the ninth in a tie game. On the surface, the numbers look better for Doval. However, Walker records strikeouts at a much higher rate, allows fewer walks, and has been on the bad end of some tough BABIP luck.
While I prefer Walker of the two, both are worth not only rostering, but starting as long as both are in the saves mix for a team winning a ton of games.
The Marlins have recorded five saves this season. Two have gone to Jesus Tinoco, two to Calvin Faucher, and one to Anthony Bender. Over the weekend, we saw Bender pitch the seventh, Tinoco the eighth, and Faucher the ninth. In the last week, the lone save has gone to Faucher. Due to recent usage, Faucher seems like the top of the pecking order.
For fantasy baseball, I rank them as Faucher, Tinoco, and Bender.
Calvin Faucher Breakout:
- New Sinker🎳
- Super Supinator (3 Power Breaking Balls!) ⚡️
- Making the Most of Count Leverage☑️Big fan of Faucher since his inclusion in the Nelson Cruz Deal.
Always had elite stuff, now its about count leverage, in-zone%, and usage.
New SI: pic.twitter.com/kBlEacmI7Z
— Remi Bunikiewicz (@RBunikiewicz) April 22, 2025
The Dodgers have a primary closer in Tanner Scott, but they do not like to use him in back-to-back games. That led to Blake Treinen being used as the secondary option when Scott is unavailable. With him still sidelined, my expectation is Kirby Yates operates in that role. He can provide elite ratios and strikeouts as well as the occasional save chance.
The Phillies had one save in the last week, and it went to Jordan Romano. Romano has struggled mightily to open the season, but he has been pitching a bit better as of late. I do not think there is enough here to panic about Jose Alvarado or anything like that. However, if Romano continues to work his way back, we could see him potentially vulture some save chances. This is a team that has made so many late-inning changes in recent years that you always need to keep an eye on it.
Elite Strikeouts and Ratios for Fantasy Baseball
Steven Okert leads all qualified relievers with a .036 WHIP. He has struck out a third of the batters he has faced while not yet allowing a walk. Opposing hitters have hit just .106 against him. Plus, he has a 0.64 ERA, and the only run he has allowed came off a home run. He is pitching lights out for the Astros, and it is time fantasy baseball players take notice. He is the top ratio and strikeout arm for the time being.
Steven Okert has 15 K, no walks and only one run allowed in 13 innings this season 🔒
The @astros reliever discusses what's been working for him on the mound, learning from Josh Hader and grilling in his spare time!
MLB Network + @CoronaUSA pic.twitter.com/bo0YMYxXx1
— Intentional Talk (@IntentionalTalk) April 28, 2025
Lucas Erceg has pitched to a 0.87 ERA and 0.39 WHIP with a 22 percent strikeout rate and just a 3 percent walk rate. Opposing batters have hit just .097 against him. His WHIP is the second-best among all qualified relievers. Not only does he provide strong ratios, but if anything were to happen to Carlos Estevez, he is next in line for saves on the Royals. Those are the type of relievers to take a shot on.
Fernando Cruz has pitched to a 1.80 ERA and 0.93 WHIP while striking out 40 percent of the batters he has faced, the sixth-highest rate amongst qualified relievers. He can provide elite ratios and strikeouts while also pitching in a bullpen that is in turmoil right now. That is worth rolling the dice on.
Randy Rodriguez has struck out 38 percent of the batters he has faced this season, the 11th best among qualified relievers. He has a 0.69 WHIP and held opposing batters to a .190 average. Oh, he has also yet to allow a run in 11.2 innings this season. He is putting up absolute elite numbers, but he is overlooked as he is not getting save chances.
Alex Vesia is ninth among qualified relievers with a 38 percent strikeout rate. He has a 3.29 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, which is with him being a bit unlucky, judging by the .333 BABIP. Plus, he already has one save this season after picking up five last year. He will not get consistent chances, but given the Dodgers win a bunch and do not use their closer in back-to-back days, he could get a save chance here or there.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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