👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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


Mid-March Bullpen Updates for Closers & Saves

We're almost halfway through March and we have about as much clarity at the back end of some bullpens as we had in December. While many bullpens are set in stone, there are still a few heated competitions happening across Grapefruit and Cactus League play as managers try to decide who to hand the ball to in the ninth inning when their teams have a small lead.

To stay up to date with our MLB closer and saves depth charts, bookmark this page and check back each day for new updates.

Here's a look at where the bullpens stand as of now, all are of course subject to change before Opening Day based on injury or in some cases competition.

Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SPRING, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW

 

AL East Closers & Saves Options

New York Yankees: Aroldis Chapman (solid, top tier option)

Boston Red Sox: Craig Kimbrel (solid, top tier option despite a somewhat down year last season.)

Toronto Blue Jays: Roberto Osuna (solid, excellent option)

Baltimore Orioles: Zach Britton (solid, top tier option, despite being found on a milk carton in last year's Wild Card game.)

Tampa Bay Rays: Alex Colome (solid, very good option, but keep an eye on trade rumors.)

 

AL Central Closers & Saves Options

Detroit Tigers: Francisco Rodriguez (solid, mediocre option)

Kansas City Royals: Kelvin Herrera (solid, very good option)

Cleveland Indians: Cody Allen (solid, excellent option. *Andrew Miller is also a mixed league option)

Chicago White Sox: David Robertson (shaky, excellent option if closing. Robertson's name has come up in trade rumors. He'll likely close wherever he plays, but there's always a chance he ends up setting up an established closer on a new team. If Robertson is traded, Nate Jones becomes a very good fantasy option as Chicago's closer.)

Minnesota Twins: Brandon Kintzler (shaky, and not a good option anyway. Kintzler is in the lead to return as the Twins closer, but he's not a particularly good pitcher and will likely lose his job once Glen Perkins returns.)

 

AL West Closers & Saves Options

Texas Rangers: Sam Dyson (solid in his role, but a middling option at best due to low strikeouts)

Seattle Mariners: Edwin Diaz (solid, excellent option)

Los Angeles Angels: Huston Street (injured- Street might not be ready for Opening Day, and he probably won't be great once healthy anyway. Cam Bedrosian has a chance to run away with the Angels ninth inning job, and he'd be a strong fantasy option if he did.)

Oakland Athletics: Committee (the A's seem not only destined but also resigned to a closer-by-committee for this season. They have Ryan Madson, Sean Doolittle, Santiago Casilla, and John Axford in their pen. All would make average to above average fantasy closers, but as members of a committee, none will have mixed league value. Avoid.)

Houston Astros: Ken Giles (somewhat shaky. The Astros gave up a ton to get Giles last year and they really want him to work as their closer. He will get the chance to solidify himself in the role, but Will Harris and Luke Gregerson will be breathing down his neck. Lots of upside, some significant risk.)

 

NL East Closers & Saves Options

Miami Marlins: A.J. Ramos (solid, but a shorter leash than previous years. Still a very good option.)

Washington Nationals: Shawn Kelley (solid unless a trade is made, rumors of the Nationals talking to the White Sox about David Robertson. Kelley can be an above average option if he locks down the role though.)

New York Mets: Addison Reed (most likely. Mets closer Jeurys Familia is likely to begin the season by serving a suspension stemming from a domestic violence incident. Reed is an excellent option as a closer, but not knowing how long he will stay in the role makes him a very risky draft pick at this point.)

Atlanta Braves: Jim Johnson (shaky. Johnson isn't very good, and the Braves are rebuilding and may want to see what their younger arms can do at the end of games. This is a bullpen to avoid outside of deep leagues and NL-only.)

Philadelphia Phillies: Jeanmar Gomez (shaky. The Phillies believe that Gomez "deserves a chance" to close, but the problem is there are several better pitchers who project as excellent closers in the Phillies bullpen. While Gomez keeps the job (maybe until mid-May?) this is a bullpen to avoid in all formats, but if Hector Neris takes over, he could be an above average fantasy option.

 

NL Central Closers & Saves Options

Chicago Cubs: Wade Davis (solid. Davis is an excellent closer when healthy, and he seems to be okay this spring, but he missed a lot of time last season with forearm issues, so he is a risky pick despite significant upside.)

St. Louis Cardinals: Seung-Hwan Oh (solid. Oh is just outside of the top-tier of closers and has no real competition in the Cardinals bullpen. He's a great fantasy choice.)

Pittsburgh Pirates: Tony Watson (shaky/competition. Watson and Daniel Hudson are competing for the closer role in Pittsburgh. Watson will likely get the first chance due to incumbency, but he didn't do great as the Pirates closer last season and he hasn't been having a great spring. This may be a bullpen to avoid until some more clarity is provided.

Milwaukee Brewers: Neftali Feliz (shaky. Feliz was signed to be the Brewers closer, but injuries limited him to one game last September. He is reportedly healthy though, and should be able to fend off any competition from Corey Knebel and Carlos Torres. Still, he's a middling fantasy option at best.)

Cincinnati Reds: Raisel Iglesias (shaky/committee. Iglesias is the favorite to start the season as the Reds closer, and he has been great this spring, helping himself in the process. However, he has been used for multiple innings several times and there has been chatter coming out of Reds camp that the team may go with a matchup-based committee approach. Iglesias can be a solid closer, but he likely doesn't have the upside to be worth the risk of drafting a reliever who ends up as a part of a committee.)

 

NL West Closers & Saves Options

San Francisco Giants: Mark Melancon (solid, great option. Melancon is very effective relief pitcher, but he doesn't put up the strikeout numbers to be an excellent fantasy option.)

Los Angeles Dodgers: Kenley Jansen (solid, top tier option. Jansen might end up as the best fantasy closer in 2017.)

San Diego Padres: Brandon Maurer (shaky. Maurer will enter the season as the Padres closer, but his 4.52 ERA/1.26 WHIP in 2016 doesn't inspire much confidence. With Carter Capps back from Tommy John Surgery, Maurer's days as Padres closer in 2017 may be numbered before they even start. Capps has league-winning upside, but the risk of re-injury and rule changes are always there with him, not to mention he is not even the closer yet.)

Arizona Diamondbacks: Fernando Rodney (solid in name only. Rodney is the closer for the Diamondbacks. Rodney was a very bad pitcher in the second half of 2016. Both of these statements are true right now, but the first won't be true anymore if Rodney doesn't go back to his 2016 Padres form quickly. The DBacks don't have much else in their bullpen behind Rodney, so while he may get a long leash in real life, he probably shouldn't be on many fantasy teams.)

Colorado Rockies: Adam Ottavino (solid, but with competition. Ottavino is almost sure to start the season as the Rockies closer, but Colorado signed Greg Holland this offseason and will likely have him work late in games and may want him to close sooner than later. If he solidifies his spot, Ottavino becomes a more attractive fantasy option despite playing his home games in Denver.)

 

More Bullpens & Closers Analysis




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

J.J. McCarthy

Holding J.J. McCarthy in Dynasty Leagues Will Require Patience
Harold Fannin Jr.

Does Harold Fannin Jr. Have Top-Three Upside in Dynasty Leagues?
Jaylen Waddle

the Top Receiver to Roster in Denver?
Josh Downs

Climbing Up the Dynasty Rankings with Bigger Role Ahead?
Jalen McMillan

Has Been 'Slightly Better' Than Teammate During OTAs
Mike Evans

a Risky Upside Buy for Contending Dynasty Managers
Justin Herbert

Is Justin Herbert Entering His True Dynasty Prime?
Oronde Gadsden

Can Talent Overcome Situation for Oronde Gadsden II?
David Njoku

a Short-Term Dynasty Buy
Devin Neal

a Dynasty Hold Until the Depth Chart Ahead of Him Settles
Ricky Pearsall

Is Ricky Pearsall a Dynasty Breakout Candidate?
Tank Dell

Is Tank Dell a Player to Target in Dynasty Leagues?
NBA

Warriors Prioritize Depth Around Returning Steve Kerr
Sean Tucker

Is Sean Tucker an Undervalued Dynasty Trade Target?
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Cleveland's Top Priority
Puka Nacua

Is Puka Nacua the WR1 in Dynasty Leagues?
Adou Thiero

Remains a Lakers Development Project
Jalen McMillan

to Play All Three Receiver Positions?
NBA

76ers Hire Mike Gansey as President of Basketball Operations
NBA

Chicago Bulls Explore Kevin Young as Coaching Candidate
Kyrie Irving

Reports He's Nearing Full Strength in ACL Recovery
Lane Hutson

Posts a Power-Play Assist in Game 5 Loss
Cole Caufield

Nets a Power-Play Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Seth Jarvis

Closes Out East Finals With Multi-Point Game
Logan Stankoven

Notches Three Points in Big Game 5 Win
Taylor Hall

Racks Up Three Points in Series-Clinching Win
Frederik Andersen

Remains Stellar as Hurricanes Clinch Finals Berth
Jacob Gonzalez

is Heading to the Big Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Mitchell Robinson

Plans to Play in Game 1 After Finger Surgery
Ajay Mitchell

Ruled Out for Game 7
Jalen Williams

Unavailable in Decisive Game 7
NBA

Magic Finalizing Hire of Sean Sweeney as Head Coach
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez is Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Alec Pierce

Dynasty Hype May Be Creating a Sell-High Opportunity
Drake London

Quarterback Uncertainty Creating a Buy-Low Window for Drake London?
Davante Adams

: Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Entering Age-34 Season
Rhamondre Stevenson

Dynasty Outlook Clouded by Crowded New England Backfield
Bo Nix

Is Bo Nix Currently Undervalued in Dynasty Formats?
Rico Dowdle

Dynasty Value Fading Ahead of First Season in Pittsburgh?
Deiveson Figueiredo

Set For UFC Macau Main Event
MMA

Yadong Song Returns At UFC Macau
Alonzo Menifield

An Underdog At UFC Macau
Zhang Mingyang

Set For UFC Macau Co-Main Event
Tallison Teixeira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Sergei Pavlovich

A Favorite At UFC Macau
Cameron Smotherman

Looks To Bounce Back
Kai Asakura

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
CFB

Faizon Brandon In Position to Start Week 1
CFB

Dane Weber Commits to Cal
CFB

Joey McGuire Attempts to Add Texas to Schedule
CFB

Mike Leach on 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
CFB

Maryland, Baylor Schedule Home-and-Home
CFB

Taron Dickens Decommits From North Carolina
Jalen Williams

Limited in Game 6 Return
Jared McCain

Provides Bench Spark in Game 6 Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Posts Lowest-Scoring Night of His MVP Season
De'Aaron Fox

Struggles From the Field Thursday
Stephon Castle

Controls the Spurs Offense in Game 6 Win
Dylan Harper

Finds His Rhythm Thursday
Victor Wembanyama

Drops 28 to Force a Winner-Take-All Game 7
Jalen Williams

is Active for Game 6
Thomas Sorber

is Optimistic About Playing in Summer League
NBA

Terry Rozier Gets Hit with New Charges
NBA

NBA Approves New Anti-Tanking Rules
MLB

MLB Proposes Hard Salary Cap as Part of Next CBA
Kenley Jansen

Tigers Place Kenley Jansen on Injured List With Pelvic Inflammation
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Strain
MON

Lane Hutson Struggles in Game 4 Loss
CAR

Logan Stankoven Nets Eighth Postseason Goal
CAR

Sebastian Aho Pots Game-Winner on Power Play
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Tallies Two Helpers in Impressive Road Win
CAR

Shayne Gostisbehere Records Two Assists in Game 4 Win
CAR

Frederik Andersen Establishes Hurricanes New Postseason Shutout Record
Yordan Alvarez

Continues Homer Barrage With Two More Long Balls on Wednesday
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Makes History With Seven More Shutout Innings Against Padres
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Lifted From Wednesday's Game Early With Hamstring Strain
Kenley Jansen

Exits Relief Appearance on Wednesday With Groin Injury
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez Pulled Early on Wednesday With Hamstring Issue
CFB

Drew Mestemaker a Top Big 12 Quarterback Right Away?
PGA

Sungjae Im Remains Boom-or-Bust at Colonial
PGA

Michael Thorbjornsen Trending in Wrong Direction Entering Colonial
Russell Henley

a Top Option at Colonial
Harry Hall

Hoping Putter Carries Him at Colonial
Rickie Fowler

Looks to Regain Momentum at Colonial
Pierceson Coody

Looking to Stay Hot at Colonial
Martin Necas

Collects an Assist in Game 4 Loss to Golden Knights
Gabriel Landeskog

Scores Only Avalanche Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Carter Hart

Finishes Series-Clincher With 20 Saves
Dylan Coghlan

Continues Unlikely Success Story
Cole Smith

Scores Series-Clincher Tuesday Night
Mark Stone

Nets Another Goal as Golden Knights Finish Off Avalanche
Ludvig Aberg

Looking to Exchange Momentum for a Victory in Fort Worth
Stephan Jaeger

Trending Upward as PGA Heads to Fort Worth
Max Homa

Comes Off Awful Putting Performance at PGA Championship
Tony Finau

Faces Different Test at the Colonial
Robert MacIntyre

Seeks Better Beginning in Fort Worth
Tom Hoge

Ups and Downs Could Continue at Colonial
Brian Harman

Not Having the Best Golf Season in 2026
Austin Eckroat

Struggling Too Often Heading to Charles Schwab Challenge
Zach Bauchou

Tries to Keep Momentum Rolling at Colonial
Keegan Bradley

Looking to Rebound at Colonial
Claude Giroux

Planning to Return for 20th NHL Campaign
Carter Hart

Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Inks New One-Year Deal With Penguins
Ben Griffin

Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Hideki Matsuyama

Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
CFB

DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
CFB

Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
CFB

Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Gage Jump

Athletics to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Gage Jump to Major Leagues
Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Dylan Cease

Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Daniel Suarez

Wins at Charlotte in Rain-Shortened Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Winning and Places Third at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

Places Fourth After Leading Laps at Charlotte
Kyle Larson

Strong and Consistent Day Ends in Fifth at Charlotte
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF