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

Closer Carousels: MLB Closers & Saves Update (Week 19)

By LiAnna Davis (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Stay on top of the MLB closers and saves updates for week 19. RotoBaller brings you fantasy baseball advice on saves, as closers are an important piece of your fantasy team!

Ridin' Dirty

I would like to first start off by apologizing for my last column, I am sorry if I offended anybody.  After days of hearing about nothing but the Alex Rodriguez saga, I just want PEDs banished forever - but unfortunately that is impossible.  There will always be a few players that will try and beat the system, no matter the consequences.  Stricter rules will most likely limit the use of PEDs, but I doubt the issue will ever go away.  I mean 32 of our states currently utilize capital punishment, yet people still kill people.  Anyways, the purpose of my last column was simply to provide a different outlook for letting the players use PED’s.  But in retrospect, I do not really want that option - and I really don’t ever see something like that being a reasonable solution. Honestly, I think the best solution is for MLB to establish and enforce much stricter rules, which I can foresee happening as early as next year (hopefully).  Obviously, the current rules in place are not a plausible deterrent.  I think the rules should be changed to a 2 strike system:  1 strike equals a 1 year suspension, and the 2nd strike would be a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball.  I believe that this type of rule change would severely dampen the use of PEDs.  MLB is on a mission to rid baseball of PED usage, and I believe it’s only a matter of time until they doso .

“They see me rollin, they hatin, patrolling they tryin to catch me ridin dirty.  Trying to catch me ridin dirty…..”

 

Yeoman’s Work

Ernesto FrieriThere are times when owners of closers should panic, and there are times when the closer in question is just going through a rough patch.  Everyone should realize that pitchers go through slumps in the same way that hitters do.  And I think this is one of those times for Ernesto Frieri.  Frieri has struggled to the tune of coughing up 12 runs in his last 4 2/3 innings.  His ERA has ballooned up to 4.78 with a possible job demotion in the waiting.   The problem is that the Angels really do not have a talented replacement to steal the job.  Dane De La Rosa, Kevin Jepsen and Michael Kohn would probably be the choices if a change were to be made.  If you put a gun to my head and said choose just one, I would pick Dane De La Rosa - with Kohn being the possible sleeper.  With all of that being said, I can see an interesting buy low opportunity here.  So for all the Frieri owners, I would not panic, not yet anyways.

Houston's Pigpen:  Jose Cisnero was supposed to be the heir apparent to Jose Veras once he departed, but he was optioned to Triple-A on August 7th.  Then steps in Josh Fields, who converted his first career Major League save on August 5th, and then promptly blew his next chance in epic fashion just 2 days later.  So yeah, as you can see, we have a huge meh on our hands. And this is just horrible, na mean?  After analyzing this awful meh, I have come to the conclusion that there are only two options left and they are Joshua Zeid and Chia-Jen Lo.  “How Lo can you go?  I could go Lo, Lo, Lower than you know.”  Grab Chia-Jen Lo now, while it’s still on the down Lo!

Danny Farquhar:  I wanted to write about him last week - but unfortunately I had zero time and could not complete my weekly closers article, so sorry about that.  Anyways, here is the new Mariners closer and possible game finisher for the rest of the season.  With the news of Tom Wilhelmsen getting optioned, Farquhar has a great opportunity to prove himself.  And he has converted his first three save chances with ease.  He provides an elite strikeout rate, which is always nice to see in a closer, to go along with a nasty curve.  I’m on board and "Got Heem" in all leagues!

 

Balks

Brad Ziegler:  I stand corrected for the time being, Ziegler is handling his own as the Snakes closer.  But I still have this funny feeling that I just can't shake; I still don't see this experiment lasting long.  Ziegler had proved me wrong up to this point so I may just need to “drop it like its hot!

Craig Kimbrel:  Arguably the best closer in baseball.  Jordan Walden earned his first save of the season on Monday but it was only because Kimbrel was unavailable.  No worries here, move along!

Kevin Gregg:  There is still a slight chance that he gets traded in August so keep Pedro Strop at arm’s length.

Kenley Jansen:  Is still nasty nailz, but the Brian Wilson signing is a little worrisome.  Stay afloat until otherwise noted.

Jim Henderson:  He is back as the Brewers closer and performing quite well, even with the limited chances.

LaTroy Hawkins:  Ugh, only add if you are extremely desperate for saves.  David Aardsma could also vulture a chance or two.

Mark Melancon:  Melancon has been phenomenal all season, and has been lights out since taking over for Jason Grilli.  One key note is that Grilli started a throwing program recently, and there is speculation that he could be back by month's end.  It's tough to say when activated if he will get thrown right back into the closers role, or if will he will be eased in.

Huston Street:  Street received zero interest at the trade deadline, and I highly doubt that changes in August.  He should finish out the year as the Friars closer assuming he stays healthy.  Dale Thayer is most likely next in-line with Luke Gregerson struggling as of late.

Casey Janssen:  Janssen has been pitching extremely well recently, and striking out more batters than normal.  I guess his balky shoulder isn’t too bad after all - but if anything happens, Sergio Santos or Brett Cecil would fill in.

Fernando Rodney:  Rodney suffered his 6th blown save of the season on Wednesday.  He will continue to get the save chances unless he completely falls apart, and if that happens get ready to snag Jake McGee or Joel Peralta.

 

==========

Be sure to stay up to date on all of the MLB closers and fantasy baseball saves situations around the majors. Our closers and saves depth charts provide a summary of each MLB team and their current closer situation, including who’s next in line.

If you want this article and other high-end fantasy baseball analysis delivered to you on a daily basis, sign up for our daily newsletter. And be sure to check out the Waiver Wire Pickups List for in-depth analysis on gems that you may be able to find sitting on your waiver wire.  It’s one of the best fantasy baseball features currently on web!

 




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

Anthony Santander

Hoping to Hit Soon
Luis Robert Jr.

Returning in Short Order
Alex Bregman

Could Return Later This Week
Ketel Marte

Day-to-Day with Groin Tightness
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Hunter Greene

Suffers Setback on Monday
Philadelphia 76ers

Kyle Lowry Staying With 76ers
Kyle Anderson

Lands in Utah
Kevin Love

Traded to Jazz in 3-Team Swap
Norman Powell

Traded to Miami
John Collins

Dealt to Clippers
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied For 14 at Travelers Championship
Xander Schauffele

Finishes Tied For 61 at Travelers Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Tied For 17 at Travelers Championship
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied For 11 at John Deere Classic
Viktor Hovland

Withdraws From Travelers Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Finishes Tied For Second at Travelers Championship
Brian Campbell

Wins John Deere Classic
Bronny James Jr.

Scores 10 Points
Harrison Ingram

Limited on Sunday
Golden State Warriors

Isaiah Mobley Drops 16 Points
Ryan Rollins

Staying with Bucks
T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Still Not Close on New Contract
Terry McLaurin

Still Not Pleased with Contract Situation
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Yu Darvish

to Make Season Debut on Monday
MLB

Nationals Fire Dave Martinez, Mike Rizzo
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Jock Landale

Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Moritz Wagner

Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Jaxson Hayes

Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF