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Michael F. Florio reviews bullpens that have changed, closers to add off the waiver wire, and relief pitchers who are useful for fantasy baseball heading into Week 15.
Happy Fourth of July!
Hopefully, you get to spend the holiday doing whatever it is you like to do to celebrate! Whether that’s by eating an absurd amount of hot dogs, watching the pros do that, viewing fireworks, or with a few adult beverages – I hope it’s an enjoyable day spent with whoever you chose to celebrate with!
It’s also a reminder that we are more than halfway through the baseball season. We have reached the point where you know if your team needs saves, ratios, or strikeouts and you need to act while there’s still time to change things. Luckily, the trade deadline is about to greatly shake up the reliever landscape, so don’t count yourself out of the saves race just yet. Acting now and getting out in front of some trades can certainly help bolster your fantasy team.
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Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball
The Rangers went out and acquired Aroldis Chapman this weekend. Chapman is a pitcher I’ve advocated for all season as he was a clear trade candidate and had a chance to become a closer if he was dealt. Well, he still may have to wait as the Rangers also have Will Smith, who has been effective as the closer. Chapman came in in the seventh inning of a tie game in his first appearance as a member of the Rangers. It indicates that the saves may not be coming, but Chapman is still more than capable of providing strong ratios and strikeouts while potentially being next in line for saves on one of the better teams in baseball.
The Nationals have been featured in this article in recent weeks but there is no denying now that they have officially changed closers. In the past week, Hunter Harvey picked up three saves, while not allowing a run and allowing just two base runners in four innings. He has had five saves since June 21. Meanwhile, Kyle Finnegan has not picked up a save since May 27. No more speculating about a trade or anything, the change is official. Harvey is the closer to roster in Washington.
The Diamondbacks looked to have fully turned to Scott McGough as the closer. He has picked up all four of their save opportunities in the last two weeks. However, things got a little bumpy last week when he blew a save and allowed three runs on four hits in one inning. He returned with a scoreless save over the weekend. Arizona sticking with him after his meltdown is a vital sign of how long of a leash he has in this bullpen. He is a must-start option on one of the best teams in the NL.
Trevor May leads the A’s with five saves this season, nearly one for each million they gave him as their highest-paid player. Last week May did pitch in the eighth with Sam Moll coming in and picking up the save. May has picked up a save since and is the top arm to roster in this bullpen. However, they are going to be sellers and if May is dealt it is helpful to have an idea of who the team trusts next. Moll could become the closer in the second half.
Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball
The Mariners have stuck with Paul Sewald despite Andres Munoz, who picked up the first save of the season, returning last month. Sewald pitched in the eighth inning last week and it raised some eyebrows in the fantasy baseball world. In the last week, he has picked up three saves and is a must-start option. Munoz has pitched to a 2.77 ERA, 2.37 xERA, with a 1.00 WHIP and a whopping 37 percent strikeout rate. He can help with strikeouts and ratios while being next in line for saves in Seattle. He is a strong roster candidate.
The expectation was that the Phillies would be a closer-by-committee situation, however, that hasn’t been the case. In the last two weeks, Craig Kimbrel has both of their saves. In the last month, he has picked up five saves, while no one else has more than one. The only issue is that five different relievers have picked up a save in that span. Jose Alvarado has just one and while he still provides strong ratios and strikeouts, he is best suited for deeper leagues or NL only. He remains next in line behind Kimbrel. Also, do not count out the Phillies to make a trade for some reliever help before the deadline.
The Royals kicked off the reliever trade market by sending Chapman to the Rangers this week. It should not be ruled out that they could shop and trade closer Scott Barlow. He has picked up 10 saves this season while pitching to a 4.06 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 33 percent strikeout rate as the closer. He has one more year of team control, which could make now the optimal time to shop him. If he is traded, Carlos Hernandez and Austin Cox could receive the first crack as the closer in Kansas City.
The Mets are at a vital point in their season where they either need to reel off a bunch of wins or they will be sellers. If they sell, David Robertson, who is on a one-year deal, is extremely likely to be dealt. Adam Ottavino would be next in line to close, but he is also a candidate to be traded, as is Brooks Raley. If all were to be traded Drew Smith would likely close out games. It is too early to call him a must-stash, but if you need saves in an NL-only or real deep league, it is not a bad idea.
Elite Strikeouts and Ratios for Fantasy Baseball
Josh Hader has been his normal dominant self for the Padres this season. He has pitched to a 1.21 ERA with a 0.94 WHIP and struck out 39 percent of the batters he has faced. However, the Padres have scuffled and find themselves looking up in the Wild Card race. Hader, who is set to become a free agent at year's end, will be a prime candidate if they decide to be sellers. If he is dealt, Nick Martinez figures to be next up for saves in this bullpen. Domingo Tapia would be a deeper option. It is not a bad idea to stash if you have Hader. You could end up with two closers if he is traded.
The Cubs are a team to pay attention to in case they opt to be sellers at the deadline. The issue is their top two bullpen arms – Mark Leiter Jr. and Adbert Alzolay – are both just entering arbitration. The Cubs do not have a save in the last two weeks. They have not been reliable for saves, but both provide strong ratios. Leiter has pitched to a 2.41 ERA, 3.55 xERA, 0.86 WHIP, and a 36 percent strikeout rate. Alzolay has pitched to a 2.06 ERA, 2.22 xERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 28 percent strikeout rate. He is also years younger which may lead the Cubs to stick with him. He is the top option here, but both can be rostered if you are trying to get out in front of trades.
The Cardinals seem like a lock to be sellers at the deadline this season. Will they opt to trade their relievers? That remains to be seen. While Jordan Hicks is the top arm to roster here, Giovanny Gallegos remains in the late-inning pitcher and then Ryan Helsley looms on the IL. Could the Redbirds shop any or all three? Hicks should be rostered everywhere and Gallegos is a strong option for those in roto leagues. He should be rostered until the trades play out. For those in deeper leagues, take a shot on Genesis Cabrera just in case.
The Rockies have primarily used one set closer this year which is great for fantasy purposes. The ratios that that pitcher provides are not always as great. Justin Lawrence has been solid, but the Rockies are clearly going to be sellers at the deadline. Lawrence and former closer Pierce Johnson could be two names that get shopped. Reports are that the Rockies want to hold onto Daniel Bard, who served as their closer in the past and has another year of team control. I would grab him off the waiver wire now just in case as he could end up closing out games in the second half of the season.
Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.
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