Florio's Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: Rangers, Pirates, Marlins Give Early Answers

Michael Florio reviews fantasy baseball closers, saves, and waiver wire pickups for Week 2 of 2025. He analyzes changing bullpens and RP risers with elite ratios.

Early in the season, many fantasy baseball analysts, myself included, preach patience. You should not be overreacting to a week just because it is the first week of the season. What I always say is that if this player had a bad week in July, would you freak out?

The answer is almost always no. There is only one position where you are encouraged to act swiftly early in the season, and that is at relief pitcher. So much of the saves category comes down to opportunity. If your reliever is not getting save chances, chase someone who is.

If you end up nabbing a closer who sticks early on, you will be able to get a year's worth of saves off the waiver wire. That is why, even this early in the season, paying close attention to bullpens is huge.

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Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball

The Tigers are still a committee, but we are starting to get answers. Tommy Kahnle seems like the top option for saves, at least as of now, in this pen. He has one of their two, but on Monday, he pitched the ninth against the Yankees in a four-run game. Tyler Holton pitched the seventh, while Beau Brieske pitched the eighth. Those were the arms we thought could be in the saves mix entering the season. Brant Hurter has picked up the other save this season for the Tigers. Kahnle should be picked up in all leagues, and I would spend around 10 percent of FAAB on him.

The Rangers appeared like they may have a committee entering the season, but there has already been a clear runaway. Luke Jackson has picked up five of the Rangers' six saves this season. That is tied for the most in MLB entering play Tuesday. While Chris Martin has put up better ratios, as long as Jackson is getting the opportunity, he is not only a must-roster but a must-start reliever.

The Marlins may only have one save chance, but the way they have used their relievers indicates that Anthony Bender is currently atop the save hierarchy. Calvin Faucher, who was believed to be the front-runner for save chances in Miami entering the season, has primarily been used in the middle innings as a bridge. Bender does not miss a ton of bats, and the Marlins may not get a ton of save chances, but as long as he is the one getting those opportunities, he should be rostered. I would spend 5 to 8 percent of FAAB to land him if I needed saves.

Last week, the Pirates demoted longtime closer David Bednar to work on issues in the minors. At that time, both Dennis Santana and Thomas Harrington picked up a save. That can be deceiving, though, as Harrington’s was because he pitched the final four innings of a game. He has primarily been a starter throughout his minor league career, so do not go spending FAAB on him. Santana is the arm to covet in this bullpen. He has a chance to stick, too, as the Pirates were already souring on Bednar entering the season. I would look to spend 10-plus percent of FAAB, especially if you have to replace Bednar.

Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball

The Dodgers have a surplus of late-inning arms at their disposal. One has emerged, though, as the favorite for saves, with Tanner Scott picking up three of the Dodgers' five saves. Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia each have one. Kirby Yates, who was one of the most effective closers in baseball last year, has yet to factor in. Scott, if he can hold only the gig, has a chance to be an elite fantasy closer since the Dodgers are sure to provide plenty of opportunities, and he has shown to have elite stuff in the past.

However, I am not dropping Treinen yet if I have him. He is still in the late-inning mix. Plus, manager Dave Roberts has shown in the past that he is not afraid to stick with one arm but then make a change if that pitcher stops being as effective. The Dodgers have often appeared in this article in the past, and that could end up being the case again this year, given how many options they possess.

We are still figuring out how the Diamondbacks plan to navigate save chances. The first two of the year went to A.J. Puk, but the latest one went to Justin Martinez. We could be looking at a full platoon between the two, at least for the time being. As long as each is getting some chances while also putting up good ratios and strikeouts, they should both be rostered.

I do lean toward Martinez, who I believe is the better pitcher of the two. However, until we get any clarity, both can be started in Roto formats. In head-to-head, where you typically only start a couple of relievers, they are a bit more fringy as a must-start but remain must-roster options.

The Phillies just can’t seem to quit Jose Alvarado. Every year, they bring in a new reliever, and it seems that pitcher will be the closer. But somehow, someway, Alvarado is always heavily in the mix. That is no different this year as he currently leads the Phillies with two saves, while Jordan Romano has one. Alvarado has been the far more effective pitcher so far, though. He has struck out 48 percent of the batters he has faced (27 percent for Romano) to go with a 1.80 ERA and 1.16 xFIP. Compare that to Romano’s 15.75 ERA and 4.93 xFIP. Romano has not looked like his past self, and until he does, I expect the bulk of save chances to go to Alvarado.

The Reds have a committee it seems, but the funny part is it is none of the arms that fantasy players were expecting, or hoping, it would be. Emilio Pagan and Tony Santillan have each picked up a save for the Reds. It is possible, though, that we could see other arms like Scott Barlow, Graham Ashcraft, and Taylor Rogers also get chances at some point.

This is all while Alexis Diaz has started his rehab assignment as he nears a return from a hamstring injury. Manager Terry Francona said that Diaz will be their closer when he is physically ready to do so. Sounds like he may not immediately get thrust back into that role, but at some point, he will. If he is available, you should change that. As for the rest of the Reds bullpen, I would not spend more than a minimal bid on them, with Pagan and then Santillan being the preferred order.

Elite Strikeouts and Ratios for Fantasy Baseball

Kirby Yates and Chris Martin are two arms that were mentioned above, but I want to highlight them again here. Yates has struck out 52 percent of the batters he has faced, which leads all relievers. He has a 3.38 ERA, -0.21 xFIP, and 0.94 WHIP with a .200 average against. Plus, he could quickly enter the saves picture for the Dodgers.

Martin has not allowed a run to go with a 0.83 WHIP and .190 average against. He has struck out 41 percent of the batters he has faced. Not only has he already recorded a save, but he could also get an opportunity here or there when Jackson is unavailable. But if anything was to happen to Jackson, we know Martin is next in line. These are the types of relievers you want to stash. They can provide elite results now and are an injury or two away from being the closer on a team that should win many games.

Last week, I wrote up the Mets bullpen and how it provides plenty of elite strikeout and ratio arms. We know the save chances are going to Edwin Diaz whenever he is available. We have also learned that Ryne Stanek is next in line for saves. He has not allowed a run so far this season. Neither has Max Kranick, Huascar Brazoban, or Reed Garrett. There is also Jose Butto, who sports a 1.23 ERA. Butto, Kranick, and Brazoban all go multiple innings and have already each thrown seven innings. These are arms you can use instead of shaky starting pitchers.

Randy Rodriguez has struck out 47 percent of the batters he has faced, which ranks third amongst relievers who have pitched at least five innings this season. He has allowed a .158 opposite average, 0.56 WHIP, and a 0.00 ERA. If you need a short-term solution to eat innings without hurting your ratios, Rodriguez is a great option right now.

Hunter Harvey has been featured in this article many times in the past. Why change now? Harvey has pitched to a 0.00 ERA and 0.19 WHIP, with a .059 batting average against. He has struck out 41 percent of the batters he has faced, which ranks seventh best amongst qualified relievers. We know he has elite stuff, and while he may not get save chances, he can help you maintain ratios in a head-to-head categories league.

Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio. 

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