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MLB Closers and Saves Report Week 19

After a flurry of news coming around the trade deadline, this was a much quieter week. There were saves, holds, blown saves, wins, and losses, but there weren't bullpen-significant trades.

Some new closers have solidified their roles, some committees are forming and others are dissolving. We're hitting the home stretch in fantasy leagues, with playoffs looming.

Let's take a look at what went on this week and what may go on for the next few weeks.

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Bullpen News for Week 19

Los Angeles Angels

After what has to be considered a surprisingly successful season, Angels reliever Bud Norris has hit a wall, allowing 13 runs over his last 4 2/3 innings pitched. He was pulled from the closer's role last night, with manager Mike Scioscia saying it was time to "take a step back" from Norris. Cam Bedrosian earned the save on Thursday night and should be considered the head of the committee until anything happens to change that impression. Bedrosian should be owned by any owners lacking in saves.

Minnesota Twins

Matt Belisle isn't an elite relief pitcher. He has a 4.34 ERA and doesn’t strike out a batter an inning (7.88 K/9). Still, he seems to have solidified the closer’s role and that gives him some fantasy value. In his most recent outing, Belisle struck out the side for his third scoreless inning in four games. More impressively, he’s now working on 16 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. He’s likely on a lot of waiver wires, and he’s worth a roster spot for any teams looking for a quick source of saves.

Glen Perkins is finally working his way back onto the mound, but he’s been off the field for so long, he won’t be taking save chances from Belisle for a while. He’s a name to keep an eye on more for next season than for the remainder of this one.

Texas Rangers

Fantasy darling Keone Kela landed on the disabled list yet again, this time with “shoulder soreness.” Manager Jeff Banister has already stated that if Kela returns this season, it likely won’t be as the team’s closer. Meanwhile, Alex Claudio seemed to be leading the committee in Texas, but Banister said he wanted “flexibility” in how and when he would use Claudio. Jose Leclerc and Matt Bush have also been working in the later innings and may see save chances if Banister sticks with using Claudio in different situations.

Oakland Athletics

The A’s are still in committee mode much like their fellow AL West Rangers. One of the newer A’s, Blake Treinen, seems to be taking control of the role, but hasn’t been officially named closer by the team just yet. For two games in a row, Santiago Casilla pitched the eighth inning and Treinen got the ninth. He worked scoreless innings both times. A few more outings like that (especially with Casilla working before him) and Treinen will end up being a guy who will return solid value in mixed leagues.

 

Odds and Ends

Trevor Rosenthal has taken the Cardinals ninth inning and run with it. His main competition for a while seemed to be Brett Cecil, but he’s been working in long relief recently. With Seung Hwan Oh settling into a setup role, Rosenthal has become a must-own.

Andrew Miller is still on the disabled list and won’t be activated right away when his 10 days are done. He won’t be too far behind though, and should be back in the Indians bullpen in about a week.

Roster Moves of the Week

Adds

Blake Treinen, Oakland Athletics- The A’s have been working with a committee in their ninth inning since before they traded away two of their better relief pitchers. They’re still in a committee for now, but Treinen seems to be taking over. He’s worth an add for owners in search of saves.

Cam Bedrosian, Los Angeles Angels- With Bud Norris out of the ninth inning, Cam Bedrosian should be back in the closer's role where he started the season. He's a high upside guy who should be owned by all players looking for saves.

Drops

There aren’t any urgent drops this week, unless you were still holding onto Keone Kela.

 

Best of the Week

Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox- 4 IP, 9 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP

The Red Sox closer had an excellent week, striking out nine of the 12 batters he got out. He picked up three saves and allowed just three hits throughout the week. Kimbrel remains one of the best closers on the mound and in fantasy lineups.

Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners- 4 IP, 5 K, 4 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP

Mariners closer Edwin Diaz was the only closer to pick up four saves this week. He allowed three walks and a hit, but saved three games and struck out five. Diaz had a bit of a rough patch earlier in the season where he was demoted into middle relief, but he's been great more often than he's struggled.

Fernando Rodney, Arizona Diamondbacks- 3 IP, 6 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP

He can't keep getting away with it! Fernando Rodney keeps doing it though, saving games and putting up a few amazing performances in a row before imploding for a few in a row. (Implosion likely coming soon.) Rodney has been a frustrating fantasy closer this season, but he's put up a ton of value in short spurts several times.

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

 

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