RADIO
Okay, so every season, everyone says things like, "bullpens are wild!" and "bullpens are so unpredictable!" and "why did you ever choose to specialize in bullpens?" All of those comments are valid, and absolutely already pertain to the 2021 season. It's been about a week since Opening Day, and several bullpens have already gone against what everyone expected throughout spring training.
Some big free agent closers have already been replaced, some fantasy darlings are pitching seventh innings, and some guys we hadn't heard of a week ago are locking down ninth innings for teams expected to compete for a playoff spot. It has been, as they say, wild, unpredictable, and, even, questionable.
But saves and holds remain a critical part of almost every fantasy baseball league, so let's take a look at all the wild goings on in the bullpens across the league. Remember to also keep an eye on our RotoBaller Closers and Saves Bullpen Depth Charts. They're updated daily, or sometimes even more often as that's necessary in this already abnormal baseball season. With that being said, below are my closers, saves and bullpen waiver wire pickups to consider for Week 3 - April 12th through April 18th.
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Bullpen News For The Week
Oakland A's
The A's went and did something they don't usually do: they spent money on a free agent. They targeted a closer, and chose Trevor Rosenthal, giving him $11 million to close things out in Oakland. Before "Rosie" even got a chance to appear in an official A's uniform though, he was placed on the IL and is now considering surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, which would have him out for about three months. Rosenthal missed all of 2018 after Tommy John Surgery, then was no good in 2019. His huge 2020 bounce back season landed him the $11 million from Oakland, but it's looking like best case scenario would have him pitching about half the season. For now, Jake Diekman will fill in as closer and should be solid in that role. He needs to be picked up in most formats. Lou Trivino may be in the mix for saves as well.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks bullpen seemed mostly settled heading into the season. Veteran Joakim Soria would close, with Stefan Chrichton and Chris Devenski setting things up for him. Before Soria even had a chance to settle in, he hurt his calf fielding a ground ball and landed on the injured list. Chris Devenski began to emerge and recorded a save, but now he's on the restricted list for undisclosed personal reasons. Next up will likely be Crichton, with Kevin Ginkel and Taylor Clarke in the back end of the pen as well. If Devenski returns quickly, he may be the one to roster from this bullpen, but Soria isn't expected to miss too much time, and could reclaim the ninth if he comes back healthy.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers bullpen, as it was planned in the offseason, would have had Jose Leclerc closing with Jonathan Hernandez and Joely Rodriguez setting things up. Before the season started, all three were injured and on the IL. So the Rangers had to scramble for a ninth inning reliever, and things boiled down to two non-roster invitees: Ian Kennedy and Matt Bush. Both made the team, but in the early going, it looks like Kennedy is the one pulling ahead, as he saved two games in a row and has looked good doing it. Kennedy was great in 2019 and absolutely awful in 2020. If the 2019 version of Kennedy is back in 2021, he'll be a solid closer likely until the trade deadline, when he'll head to another team to work in a setup role.
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland has one of fantasy baseball's favorite targets in their bullpen: James Karinchak. His strikeout upside made him a worthy member of a fantasy roster even when he wasn't the closer. With Brad Hand off to Washington, Cleveland was fully expected to give Karinchak the ninth inning, making his already strong fantasy value all that much stronger. But now, the season has started and Karinchak...is pitching the seventh inning and tweeting about being against the COVID vaccine. Emmanuel Clase and Nick Wittgren have worked eighth and ninth innings, and Wittgren looks like the ninth inning choice for now, despite his occasional home run issues. He's not a run-to-the-waiver-wire guy, but Wittgren has been solid throughout his career and could hold down the role if given the chance.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays signed Kirby Yates in the offseason, so he's definitely their closer, right? Nope, Yates is out for the year after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. Jordan Romano was the expected replacement initially after an excellent 2020, but Julian Merryweather seemingly came out of nowhere and has taken over the ninth inning for Toronto, leaving Romano in his eighth inning/fireman role. Merryweather has been outstanding and needs to be rostered in most formats.
Washington Nationals
The beginning of the season was a mess for the Nationals, who had four games postponed due to multiple positive COVID tests on their roster and coaching staff. Once they were able to get back on the field, a few players were placed on the injured list with what can only be assumed to be positive COVID tests (teams do not need to officially disclose it, but...come on.) Brad Hand was among those placed on the IL, so for now, Daniel Hudson and Tanner Rainey should split any save duties that come up. Hudson has more experience closing, but Rainey is clearly the better pitcher. The job should still be Hand's as soon as he's ready to return, though.
St. Louis Cardinals
Throughout spring training, the Cardinals bullpen looked like it would be led by Giovanny Gallegos somewhat temporarily, at least until Jordan Hicks was able to get back up to speed. But then Gallegos put up an ERA over eight in Grapefruit League play, and Hicks was touching 103 mph with his fastball. So what happened? Alex Reyes came out of nowhere and is now the Cardinals closer, with Hicks and Gallegos working in setup roles. Hicks has been used in earlier innings, and Gallegos has had some multiple-inning appearances. Reyes has been one of the most injury prone guys in baseball, but while he's healthy and saving games, he needs be rostered in all formats.
San Diego Padres
The Padres bullpen is full of excellent, high-upside arms, many of whom have closing experience. So who would be the actual closer for the remodeled Padres team? How about Mark Melancon, the one with the least strikeout upside and the one who was never rumored for the role in the spring? Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan have settled into setup roles, and Melancon looks like the ninth inning choice in San Diego. He won't pile up Ks like other closers will, but with the Padres expected to win plenty of games this season, Melancon has a role on any fantasy team.
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