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

MLB Closers and Saves Report - Week 15 (Trade Deadline Preview Edition)

By Keith Allison on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

David Marcillo looks at Week 15 closer performances around MLB, including bullpen changes. He identifies fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for saves. He also previews what moves may be made before the trade deadline.

The All-Star Break came and went, and now everyone knows the name Aaron Judge. Some people now know the name Justin Bour as well. It was a fun break from "real" baseball, and now that the All-Star Game doesn't "count" it seemed like the players all had more fun, especially Nelson Cruz.

With the All-Star Game behind us though, it means the trade deadline is the next big baseball holiday. With the trade deadline always comes huge changes in the fantasy landscape.

Closers will become setup men, setup men will become closers, and some middle relievers will move up all the way to the ninth inning. This week's Closers and Saves Report is a special trade deadline preview. Let's take a look at some potential moves before July 31:

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

 

Bullpen News for Week 15

Atlanta Braves

The Braves have been surprisingly decent this season, but they're still nowhere near the playoff race in a very top-heavy National League. Closer Jim Johnson is likely to be traded, and he won't close for his new team. Fantasy owners should be trying to move Johnson for whatever they can get, because his value is about to take a huge hit any day now. Meanwhile, Arodys Vizcaino should take over as closer in Atlanta as soon as Johnson moves. While he's currently on the DL, Vizcaino's due back soon and has some nice upside once he controls the ninth inning.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins are going to be sold soon, but probably before that happens, the Marlins are going to sell some players. Rumors have swirled of teams being most interested in closer A.J. Ramos and setup man David Phelps. Neither is likely to end up closing for another team, at least not right away. Anyone hanging on to Phelps hoping he'd take over after Ramos is dealt can probably cut bait now, as it seems more likely for Phelps to be wearing another uniform than Ramos. Ramos, meanwhile, has a chance to close if he goes somewhere like Washington, but is more likely going to setup somewhere. With another year of team control next year though, it's possible Ramos stays in Miami and continues closing. Still, he and Phelps are both "sells" right now in fantasy, with Kyle Barraclough looking like the closer-in-waiting.

New York Mets

Mets closer Addison Reed is in a contract year and the Mets have no reason to hang onto him. He'll likely be moved to a team looking for a late-inning bullpen upgrade, but he almost certainly won't close for his new team. Reed excelled in a setup role the last few seasons, so while owners in standard leagues certainly wouldn't want to see him move, owners in save+hold leagues may actually see a bump in his value. It's unclear who in the Mets bullpen would take over the ninth inning, as Jerry Blevins may also be dealt. Fernando Salas has closing experience but hasn't been great this season, so perhaps Paul Sewald will take the ninth despite no experience. Reed is a sell, but there are no buys in this bullpen for now.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals Carousel of Closers should finally and mercifully come to an end soon when they acquire a big name closer before the deadline. For now, Matt Albers has brought some stability to a very unstable bullpen, but there's probably a less than one-percent chance that he's still the closer in August. While it's unknown for now who will close for the Nats, Albers is a definite sell as he'll slide back into an earlier inning soon.

San Diego Padres

The Padres bullpen has some trade chips in lefty Brad Hand and closer Brandon Maurer. Despite ugly "baseball card" stats, Maurer has some solid peripherals and smart teams could look at him and see potential. Still, it's hard to see any team trade for Maurer and his 5.60 ERA to slide him right into the closer role. He'll likely setup or maybe get a seventh inning job with a new team, killing the fantasy value he's had while earning saves for the Padres. Hand is almost certain to move, but he also won't close with a new team. He's been a great reliever this season though, and could end up setting up for a playoff contender before the month ends. With Maurer and Hand both likely changing addresses, the Padres will need someone to close out their victories. Phil Maton seems like a good candidate, and he's the one with the most upside in San Diego. Because it's not quite certain if Maton will get the ninth yet, he's not a must-add from the waiver wire, but fantasy players with an extra space on their roster looking for a speculative add could do worse. Meanwhile, Hand's value should remain about the same with perhaps a small jump due to more holds opportunities in holds leagues. Maurer's value will crash, so owners should sell for whatever they can get at this point.

Baltimore Orioles

Rumors are rummaging about that teams like the Dodgers and Nationals are interested in Orioles closer Zach Britton. Of course they are, Britton is one of the best closers on the planet and all teams would be interested in him for the right price. It remains mostly unlikely that Britton pitches for anyone besides the Orioles this season, but a trade to the Dodgers could vastly impact his fantasy value. If he goes to the Nationals or almost any other team, he'd remain a closer and the change in his fantasy value would be negligible. But if he goes to the Dodgers, he'd slide in behind ultra-elite closer Kenley Jansen and become one of baseball's best setup men. Owners of Britton should keep an eye on rumors without being overly worried for now. In the unlikely event that Britton is dealt, Brad Brach would recover the closer role that he occupied while Britton was on the disabled list.

Chicago White Sox

It was a minor surprise that the White Sox didn't trade closer David Robertson before the season began. It would be a major surprise if they didn't trade him before the trade deadline. With Robertson almost certainly gone and Nate Jones out for the year, setup man Tommy Kahnle is set to take over the ninth inning. Kahnle has been excellent this season, putting up a 2.65 ERA along with 15.09 K/9 and only 1.85 BB/9. That's elite closer status once you add in saves. Kahnle is a must-own and anyone looking for saves should check the waiver wire immediately. Robertson's value won't change much, as he's pretty sure to be picked up by a team in need of a closer.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have a gem in Justin Wilson, and they may try to cash in on that gem before the trade deadline. The Dodgers and Astros have shown interest in him, but unfortunately for his fantasy owners, he likely won't close if he's moved. The best case scenario, fantasy-wise, is for him to stay in Detroit and stay in the ninth inning. If he is moved, Bruce Rondon seems like the most likely candidate to move into the ninth inning for the Tigers. With plenty of uncertainty here, there are no immediate buy or sells, just more of a wait and see.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals have a solid bullpen, and after a slow start to the season, they've actually picked things up to get back into playoff contention. They still seem willing to move Kelvin Herrera, who hasn't been as great this season as in past years, but is still a solid closer. The Nationals have shown interest as have a few other teams. Depending on where he goes, he may close, or he may setup. It's a tricky situation for fantasy owners because there are a few unknowns here. For now, he seems like a hold (and Joakim Soria/Mike Minor seem like watch list guys just in case.) Keep an eye on rumors revolving around Herrera and be ready to make a quick move if necessary.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers bullpen has blown 17 saves this season, yet the team is still only three games out of the Wild Card in the Amercian League. General Manager Jon Daniels has already said he doesn't see his team as sellers, so they will probably have "closer" at the top of their wishlist. Currently running with an ugly committee, there aren't really any fantasy must-owns in this bullpen, but anyone they acquire to pitch their ninth would be worth owning immediately. If they are unable to reach a deal for a closer, Keone Kela makes for an interesting closing option once he returns from the disabled list.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

 

Premium Tools & DFS Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Sign Up Now!




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
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
Jordan Clarkson

Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks Reach Agreement on a New Contract
Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell Heading to Dallas
Denver Nuggets

Bruce Brown Jr. Heading Back to Denver
Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela Returning to Houston
Cameron Johnson

Traded to Denver
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Michael Porter Jr.

Traded to Brooklyn
Matt Chapman

Could Return for Start of Giants Homestand
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Return on Saturday
Yanquiel Fernández

Yanquiel Fernandez Called Up to Majors
Tyler Mahle

Dealing With Rotator-Cuff Strain
Brooklyn Nets

Ziaire Williams Expected to Return to Nets
Austin Wells

to Miss Next Two Games
Tre Mann

Set to Become an Unrestricted Free Agent
Bo Bichette

Scratched With Sore Knee
Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic