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

Florio's MLB Bullpen Report: Braves Pen Changing, Stash Candidates

Michael Florio reviews bullpens that have changed, closers you can add off the waiver wire and relief pitchers who are useful for fantasy baseball heading into Week 13.

For over a month now I have been highlighting the fact that no position is more influenced by the trade deadline than the reliever position. That closers and other relievers would be traded which would be sure to shake up the fantasy baseball relief pitcher landscape. That we would see new closers emerge and some current closers lose their job.

And so far… crickets. While the trade market has been slow to get going, that is sure to change as we are just three weeks away from the trade deadline. After the All-Star Break, things are sure to get going, if not sooner. It never hurts to be prepared, have a plan on how much FAAB you would be comfortable spending, and of course, stay up to date on all the latest moves (thanks, RotoBaller!). 

Here are some candidates to be traded: Jorge Lopez, Gregory Soto (and Michael Fulmer), Joe Barlow, Mark Melancon, and Ian Kennedy, David Robertson (plus Mychal Givens and Rowan Wick), Daniel Bard and Alex Colome, David Bednar, Scott Barlow, and Tanner Rainey.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball

There was much anticipation over who the Yankees would use in the late innings with Clay Holmes dominating in the role, but Aroldis Chapman returning. Well, it has all been Holmes for New York. In the past week, both save opportunities went to Holmes. He has four in the past two weeks. In his first two appearances, Chapman has struggled. He has walked 50 percent of the batters he faced. He has an 18.00 ERA and 3.00 WHIP, but again, it was just one inning. Still, until Chapman finds his command, this will be a non-contest with all the save chances going to Holmes. It will be worth keeping an eye on if and when Chapman returns to form. 

The Braves suddenly became an interesting bullpen last week when Kenley Jansen landed on the IL. In the last week, Will Smith picked up three saves for the Braves, while not allowing a run and striking out a third of the batters he’s faced. Last week he was the biggest reliever target on the waiver wire. It has already paid off, but the payday ends soon. Reports came out this week that Jansen will return from the IL when he is eligible on July 12th. Smith is worth holding onto until then, and potentially after to make sure Jansen is fine. 

In the last week, the lone Rays save went to Jason Adam. He seems to be the current leader in the clubhouse, but it was not long ago that we saw Colin Poche get more opportunities than him. The Rays bullpen will always be flexible, but Adam is the top option, followed by Poche. Brooks Raley remains a deeper option in this bullpen. 

The Phillies bullpen seems to be a two-man race between Brad Hand and Seranthony Dominguez. The hope was that after Corey Knebel lost the job it would go to Dominguez. The issue is he has been too dominant and the Phillies like to use him in the highest leverage situations, rather than just hold him until the ninth inning. That leads to Hand getting save chances. In the past week, the Phillies' lone save went to Hand. Dominguez is the top option because of how dominant he has been, but Hand is certainly worthy of rostering as well. The Phillies could also make a move before the deadline. 

Paul Sewald has five saves in the past month for the Mariners, to go with a 0.48 WHIP, the second lowest among all relievers with at least 10 innings pitched. Diego Castillo has two saves in that span. He has been very effective as well, but Sewald is the reliever you want from Seattle. Castillo is worth rostering for those in need of some save chances as well. 

 

Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball

While Craig Kimbrel continues to struggle for the Dodgers, Dave Roberts has said that he has not even considered removing him from the role. Of course, that can change if Kimbrel continues to go downhill. One reason Roberts may be hesitant is there is no clear-cut option to turn to. Yency Almonte and Brusdar Graterol each picked up a save in the last week, but they have also struggled to be consistent. Graterol right now would be the top option if a move was to occur, as he got the save when Kimbrel was sidelined after taking a line drive off his back, with Almonte as a deeper option. However, the cavalry may be soon arriving, as Blake Treinen is nearing a return. The Dodgers also can never be counted out to make a trade. This is certainly a bullpen to keep an eye on moving forward. 

The Reds had a save opportunity this week and it went to Hunter Strickland as we were told it would, but unfortunately, he blew it. However, he remains the reliever you want from this bullpen, but it is best to leave him for those desperate for saves. He could be dealt if the Reds are sellers, as expected, at the deadline. Alexis Diaz remains a stash candidate as he could see save opportunities in the second half. 

The Nationals have been a set bullpen with save chances going to Tanner Rainey, but in the last week he picked up another blown save and a loss while pitching to a 13.50 ERA with a 2.00 WHIP. It is a small sample size, but it is worth speculating on a potential change whether it is due to more poor performances or a trade. Kyle Finnegan would be the best bet to be next in line for saves, but Steve Cishek, purely due to past experience, or potentially Carl Edwards Jr. remain deeper candidates. 

 

Elite Ratios and Strikeouts 

Nick Martinez may not get many save chances for the Padres, but he has been pretty elite as a reliever. He has gone 17 innings with a 1.59 ERA, a 0.82 WHIP, a 22 percent strikeout rate, and just a three percent walk rate. He has held opposing hitters to a .188 AVG, with a 3.37 xFIP. It also doesn’t hurt that since he goes over three innings often, you not only get innings like a fringe starting pitcher, but you can get some saves. Since June 22 he has two saves due to closing out the final three-plus innings of a game. 

Griffin Jax has thrown 13 innings in the past month and has a 2.08 ERA, 2.15 xFIP, 1.55 SIERA, 36 percent strikeout rate with just a 2.2 percent walk rate and a 0.54 WHIP – the third lowest among relievers with double-digit innings pitched in that span. He may not get saves, but he certainly has been elite.

While Andres Munoz hasn’t been getting save chances much anymore, he has been striking out more batters than any reliever. In the past month, he has struck out half the batters he has faced in 13.1 innings pitched. He also has a 1.35 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and a 0.96 SIERA in that span. He is certainly worthy of rostering in Roto formats. 

Felix Bautista has a 44 percent strikeout rate in the last month, the fourth highest among relievers. He has pitched to a 1.74 ERA, 1.66 xFIP, and 1.50 SIERA with a 0.87 WHIP in that span. Not only that, but Jorge Lopez has struggled the past week and remains a trade candidate. Bautista is one of the best stashes out there right now. 

 

Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




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

Jauan Jennings

Gets Incentives Added to Contract
Jakobi Meyers

Unsure About Potential Extension
Matthew Stafford

Off Injury Report Ahead of Week 1
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Jackson Chourio

in Lineup Wednesday Despite Hamstring Cramps
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
Christian Yelich

Dealing With Soreness in Lower Back
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Kyle Finnegan

Dealing With Groin Issue
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch "Sometime This Weekend"
Jackson Chourio

Absent on Wednesday With Hamstring Cramp
Roman Anthony

Officially Goes on Injured List
Jauan Jennings

Limited on Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 1
Malik Nabers

Not on Initial Injury Report
Roman Anthony

"High Probability" Roman Anthony Lands on Injured List
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Jason Adam

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Roman Anthony

Will Undergo MRI on Wednesday
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Saturday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Scratched on Monday
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Edward Cabrera

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Sprain
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP