X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

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
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Closers and Saves Report - Week 24 Waiver Wire

Another quiet bullpen week in the fantasy playoffs (for most leagues) leading up to the real playoffs (for both leagues). There were some changes in bullpen hierarchies this week, but they mostly affected setup men and seventh inning guys. Fantasy managers in holds leagues may have seen some things happen this week, but in standard leagues there was really only one big piece of news, and it was an MRI on the arm of a Hand.

Here's hoping all regular readers of this article are killing it in the fantasy playoffs or hanging onto first place in their rotisserie leagues. It's a long season and baseball makes for the most involved fantasy sport, so cheers to all of you who have been here for the ride all along.

Take a look at our Closer Depth Chart, which is updated daily. Let's jump in and take a look at what's been going on in the bullpens around baseball.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and weekly lineup resources:

 

Bullpen News for Week 24

Cleveland Indians

Cleveland had a bit of a scare in their bullpen, as closer Brad Hand had to go in for an MRI on his arm. They received good news, though, as the MRI came out clean. Hand will likely take a couple of games off and will then need to build back up a bit. In Wednesday's game, the Cleveland bullpen used three different pitchers to get the last three outs of the game. Nick Wittgren started the ninth inning and got one out. Oliver Perez then came in and got the second out of the inning. Adam Cimber followed, getting the last out and earning the official save for the game. Hand isn't expected to miss too much time, but there doesn't look like there will be anyone worth picking up in the meantime. The most desperate of fantasy managers would probably be best off with Wittgren if a Cleveland pitcher is the last possible option.

Seattle Mariners

Matt Magill was heading the Seattle closer committee for a while, but Sam Tuivailala got a save chance on Wednesday and was replaced by Anthony Bass when he started to struggle. Bass seems to have perhaps jumped to the committee throne, but despite a much less temporary timeline, the recommendation for the Seattle bullpen is similar to that of the Hand-less Cleveland bullpen: avoid if at all possible.

New York Mets

Justin Wilson earned a save this week, and a four-out one at that. It was only his second save of the year, but he seems like he could mix into the ninth inning for the Mets. Seth Lugo is still the best arm in the bullpen, but he'll pitch multiple innings and needs time off. Edwin Diaz should still factor in as well, but he's shown more than enough for even the Mets to know he can't be relied upon on his own. Wilson makes for a decent desperation grab but isn't anywhere close to a must-own in any format. He's a decent enough grab in holds leagues, though.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies bullpen has been a disaster all season, but it looks like Jairo Diaz has taken his opportunity as a member of a closer committee and turned himself into their full-time closer. There may still be other mixing in on occasion, but it looks like Diaz is the closer in Denver until the end of the season.

 

Short Relief

  • Kyle Crick is done for the season in Pittsburgh after injuring his hand in a fight with his team's closer, Felipe Vazquez. That leaves Richard Rodriguez and Francisco Liriano as the main setup guys to work behind Vazquez.
  • Jose Urena, who was bad as a starter, is surprising no one except Marlins manager Don Mattingly by being bad as a closer. The Fish will likely give him the rest of the season to figure it out, but he's not a reliable fantasy option.

 

Roster Moves of the Week

Adds

Jairo Diaz, Colorado Rockies - Diaz has seemingly taken over as closer for the Rockies, shedding his committee mates and leaving them all in setup roles. Diaz is the only widely-available option this week who is likely to collect more than a save or two for the rest of the season.

Mariners Relievers?, Seattle Mariners - Fantasy players absolutely desperate for saves should keep an eye on the Mariners bullpen to see if Matt Magill, Anthony Bass, or Sam Tuivailala end up taking over the ninth. If anyone happens to take over, he'd be worth picking up only in deeper leagues.

 

Drops

Rockies Relievers Not Named Jairo Diaz, Colorado Rockies - With Diaz taking over, (see above. Like, seriously right above this.) all other Rockies relievers will slide back into setup and middle relief roles. Diaz is the only Rockies reliever worth picking up.

 

Best of the Week

Jairo Diaz, Colorado Rockies - 5 IP, 3 SV, 4 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP

Diaz is all over this week's article, but he's definitely earned his spot here: a scoreless week with three saves and four strikeouts while allowing just three hits and a walk will do that.

Felipe Vázquez, Pittsburgh Pirates - 3 1/3 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP

Not only did Vazquez presumably win a fight against Kyle Crick this week, but he also saved three games while striking out six and not allowing a run.

Jose Leclerc, Texas Rangers - 4 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 2.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP

Leclerc wasn't great this week as shown by the four hits and two walks he allowed, but he earned a save in all three of his chances and struck out six batters while only allowing one run to cross the plate.

More 2019 Fantasy Baseball Advice


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jake Cronenworth5 hours ago

Dealing With Calf Tightness
Aaron Nola5 hours ago

Dominant In Monday's No-Decision
Josh Hader6 hours ago

Gets Rocked In Monday's Outing
Josh Lowe6 hours ago

To Begin Rehab Assignment Thursday
Tommy Pham7 hours ago

Signs Minor-League Deal With White Sox
Kirby Yates8 hours ago

Earns Save Monday, Could Be Rangers' New Closer
Max Scherzer8 hours ago

Eyeing "Early May" Return
J.D. Davis8 hours ago

Hits Injured List, Esteury Ruiz Recalled
Brandon Ingram8 hours ago

Likely To See More Minutes On Tuesday
Mark Williams8 hours ago

"Feeling Better"
Sean Murphy8 hours ago

Playing Catch
Immanuel Quickley9 hours ago

Hoping To Remain In Toronto
DJ LeMahieu9 hours ago

Could Begin Rehab Assignment Thursday
Michael Penix Jr.9 hours ago

Visiting With Patriots
De'Anthony Melton9 hours ago

Misses Practice On Monday
Las Vegas Raiders9 hours ago

Maxx Crosby Back To 100 Percent
Joel Embiid9 hours ago

Practices On Monday
Cade Cunningham9 hours ago

Hoping To Improve In Several Areas
Gary Payton9 hours ago

II Out Again On Tuesday
LeBron James10 hours ago

Probable For Play-In Game On Tuesday
Anthony Davis10 hours ago

Questionable Versus The Pels
Walker Buehler10 hours ago

Could Return Next Week
Paul Sewald10 hours ago

To Throw Another Bullpen On Tuesday
Dylan Carlson11 hours ago

Tommy Edman, Dylan Carlson Starting To Swing The Bat
Justin Verlander11 hours ago

Could Make Season Debut This Weekend
Salvador Perez11 hours ago

Has Grade 1 Groin Strain
Keibert Ruiz11 hours ago

Goes On 10-Day Injured List
Jhoan Duran11 hours ago

To Throw On Tuesday
Christian Yelich11 hours ago

Sitting Out On Monday
Brendan Rodgers12 hours ago

Scratched On Monday
Seiya Suzuki12 hours ago

Placed On Injured List
Gerrit Cole12 hours ago

Expected To Throw On Tuesday
Alex Lyon13 hours ago

Getting The Starting Nod Monday
Charlie Lindgren13 hours ago

Making Fifth Straight Start Monday
Boone Jenner13 hours ago

Practices Monday
Adam Fantilli13 hours ago

Practices Monday
Rasmus Sandin13 hours ago

Skates In Non-Contact Jersey Monday
13 hours ago

Lane Hutson To Make NHL Debut Monday
Brock Bowers15 hours ago

Visiting With Jets
NBA15 hours ago

Ja’Kobe Walter Declares For NBA Draft
J.J. McCarthy15 hours ago

Patriots Visiting With J.J. McCarthy On Monday
Lonnie Walker15 hours ago

IV Noncommittal On Future With Nets
Daniel Jones15 hours ago

Plan Is For Daniel Jones To Be Fully Cleared For Training Camp
Vit Krejci16 hours ago

Hawks Hope To Keep Vit Krejci This Offseason
Aaron Rodgers16 hours ago

Reports For Voluntary Workouts
Indianapolis Colts16 hours ago

Colts, DeForest Buckner Agree To Two-Year Extension
Giannis Antetokounmpo16 hours ago

“Up In The Air” For Game 1
Rashee Rice16 hours ago

To Be Virtual To Start Offseason Program
CeeDee Lamb16 hours ago

Not Expected To Attend Start Of Voluntary Program
Grayson Allen16 hours ago

Lands Four-Year Extension With Suns
Justin Jefferson16 hours ago

Doesn't Report For Voluntary Workouts
Andrew Copp16 hours ago

A Game-Time Decision Monday
ANA16 hours ago

Ducks Sign Cutter Gauthier To Entry-Level Deal
Joseph Woll16 hours ago

To Start Tuesday
Calle Jarnkrok16 hours ago

Questionable For Game 1
Alex Pereira17 hours ago

Defends Light-Heavyweight Title At UFC 300
Max Domi17 hours ago

Out Tuesday, Unlikely For Wednesday
Jamahal Hill17 hours ago

Knocked Out At UFC 300
Bobby McMann17 hours ago

To Miss Final Two Regular Season Games
Yan Xiaonan17 hours ago

Unsuccessful In Bid To Capture UFC Title
Arman Tsarukyan17 hours ago

Edges Out Competitive Decision At UFC 300
Charles Oliveira17 hours ago

Drops Decision Matchup
NASCAR19 hours ago

Bubba Wallace Finishes Seventh At Texas Motor Speedway
DeVonta Smith19 hours ago

Eagles Sign DeVonta Smith To Three-Year Extension
Kyle Busch19 hours ago

Earns Top 10 Finish In Backup Car At Texas Motor Speedway
Chase Elliott20 hours ago

Emerges Victorious in Texas Race Riddled with Cautions
William Byron20 hours ago

Finishes Third at Texas After Wrecking Ross Chastain
Ross Chastain20 hours ago

Gets Wrecked on Final Lap at Texas While Battling for the Lead
Kyle Larson20 hours ago

Sees Dominant Day Slip Away at Texas Due To Loose Wheel
Nikola Jokic20 hours ago

Wraps Up Regular Season With 68th Double-Double
Bradley Beal21 hours ago

Leads Phoenix Into Playoffs With 36-Point Effort
Myles Turner21 hours ago

Dominates Against Hawks
Max Strus21 hours ago

Records First Career Triple-Double
CJ McCollum21 hours ago

Remains Hot For Pelicans Ahead Of Play-In
Brandon Ingram21 hours ago

Returns With Efficient Performance
LeBron James21 hours ago

Notches 112th Career Triple-Double
NASCAR1 day ago

Daniel Suárez the Luckiest Driver at Texas, Scores Top Five
Denny Hamlin1 day ago

Late Spinout Costs Denny Hamlin Likely Second-Place Finish
Ty Gibbs1 day ago

Had Speed at Texas, But Burnt by Pit Crew
Ryan Blaney1 day ago

Was Best Ford Driver Until Wreck With Ryan Preece
Tyler Reddick1 day ago

Earns Hard-Fought Fourth Place Finish At Texas
Austin Dillon1 day ago

Gains His Best Finish Of The Year At Texas
Carson Hocevar1 day ago

Rounds Out Top Ten At Texas
Chase Briscoe1 day ago

Ends Up Sixth At Texas
Davante Adams1 day ago

Plans To Remain In Vegas
Miami Dolphins1 day ago

Jaelan Phillips Seemingly Believes He'll Be Ready For Week 1
Tee Higgins1 day ago

Plans To Play For The Bengals In 2024-25
Jordan Love2 days ago

Expected To Get A Lucrative Contract
Jared Goff2 days ago

Expected To Receive Big Money
Brandon Aiyuk2 days ago

Reportedly Hasn't Asked For A Trade
Christopher Bell2 days ago

Is A Great Tournament Option At Texas
Kyle Busch2 days ago

Starts From the Rear After Texas Practice Crash
Chase Elliott2 days ago

Should Chase Elliott Be Rostered In DFS For Texas?
Ty Gibbs2 days ago

Can Ty Gibbs Score His First Win At Texas?
Cody Brundage2 days ago

Gets Submitted At UFC 300
Todd Gilliland2 days ago

Is A Quality Value Play For Texas
Bo Nickal2 days ago

Remains Undefeated At UFC 300
Denny Hamlin2 days ago

Will Start 11th At Texas On Sunday
Ryan Preece2 days ago

Brings Continued Upside To Texas
Justin Gaethje2 days ago

Gets KO'd At UFC 300
Max Holloway2 days ago

Scores Highlight-Reel KO At UFC 300
Zhang Weili2 days ago

Retains Strawweight Title At UFC 300
CeeDee Lamb2 days ago

Cowboys Haven't Had "Substantial Talks"
Joe Burrow3 days ago

Confident He'll Stay Healthy
Brandon Aiyuk3 days ago

Unfollows Niners On Social Media
Rashee Rice4 days ago

Surrenders To Police
Alex Pereira4 days ago

Set For First Light Heavyweight Title Defense
Jamahal Hill4 days ago

Faces Alex Pereira In The Main Event Of UFC 300
Yan Xiaonan4 days ago

Set For A Title Shot At UFC 300
Charles Oliveira4 days ago

Returns To Action On UFC 300 Main Card
Arman Tsarukyan4 days ago

Has A Tough Test In Front Of Him
Laurent Brossoit4 days ago

Shuts Out Stars With 24 Saves
Lucas Raymond4 days ago

Erupts For Four Points
Sidney Crosby4 days ago

Enters Top 10 On NHL's All-Time Scoring List
Sergei Bobrovsky4 days ago

Logs Sixth Shutout Of The Season
Timo Meier4 days ago

Notches Three Points In Win Over Toronto
Noah Dobson4 days ago

Sustains An Upper-Body Injury
Cody Brundage4 days ago

A Massive Underdog At UFC 300
Bo Nickal4 days ago

Puts Undefeated Record On The Line
Max Holloway4 days ago

Moves Back Up To Lightweight At UFC 300
Justin Gaethje4 days ago

Puts BMF Belt On The Line At UFC 300
Zhang Weili4 days ago

Defends Strawweight Title At UFC 300
Connor Hellebuyck5 days ago

Connor HelleBuyck Getting A Breather Thursday
Timothy Liljegren5 days ago

Could Return Before Postseason
Igor Shesterkin5 days ago

Getting A Rest Day Thursday
Jason Day6 days ago

Heads To Augusta After Rough March Stretch
Sepp Straka6 days ago

Save Yourself The Heartache And Don't Play Sepp Straka At The Masters
Bryson DeChambeau6 days ago

: The Battle Of Form Versus Recent History
Dustin Johnson6 days ago

Is A True Wild Card At Augusta
Patrick Cantlay6 days ago

Lost With His Irons Of Late
Rory McIlroy6 days ago

In Good Form Heading To Augusta
Keegan Bradley6 days ago

Coming To Augusta National With Ice-Cold Putter
Nicolai Hojgaard6 days ago

Looking For Putter At Augusta National
Tiger Woods6 days ago

Set To Make Another Start At The Masters
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF