September 29, 2017

David Marcillo looks at Week 26 closer performances around MLB, including bullpen changes. He identifies fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for saves

This is it, folks. Our last weekly MLB Closers and Saves Report for the 2017 season. It's been 26 weeks of fantasy baseball, and there have surely been ups and downs as the weeks have gone by.

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Speaking of ups and downs, bullpens have been a mess this season, maybe more so than in normal seasons. Elite guys like Zach Britton and Aroldis Chapman haven't been closers all season, but guys like Fernando Rodney have.

It's 2017, and it's been a weird year. That certainly showed up in fantasy baseball too. Here's a look at what happened in the last week of regular season baseball.

Bullpen News for Week 26

New York Mets

The Mets were waiting on Jeurys Familia all season, filling his ninth inning role with Addison Reed at the beginning of the season, then trading for A.J. Ramos before the trade deadline. Familia is finally back, and while he's been brought along somewhat slowly, he saved a pair of games in the last four days. He's worth picking up for the last weekend of the season for teams trying to get another save or two. It will be interesting to see what the Mets do in the offseason, with two established closers, Familia and Ramos, lined up to be in their bullpen next season.

Miami Marlins

Speaking of Ramos, after the Marlins traded him to the Mets for a pair of fringe prospects, veteran Brad Ziegler took over as closer. He started off doing pretty well despite a rough season overall, but then he hurt his back and struggled mightily. Flame thrower Kyle Barraclough stepped in as head of the committee in Miami, and he may be lining up as the 2018 closer for the Fish.

Chicago Cubs

Cubs closer Wade Davis was perfect this season. In fact, he hadn't blown a save since September 2016. Perfection never lasts though, as Davis blew a save this week by allowing a home run to the first batter he faced in a save situation. He then pitched the tenth inning and allowed a two-run walk off shot, taking the loss as well. Davis is an elite closer and he will of course be fine going forward, but it was somewhat intriguing to see a closer as solid as Davis have a bad pair of innings back-to-back.

Roster Moves of the Week

Adds

Mike Minor, Kansas City Royals- Royals relief pitcher Mike Minor had an excellent week (see below) and could be worth adding for a save or two this weekend.

Drops

A.J. Ramos, New York Mets- It looks like the Mets will give Jeurys Familia the chance to work in any save situations this weekend, so anyone still hanging onto Ramos can show him the quickest route to get to the waiver wire.

Best of the Week

 Mike Minor, Kansas City Royals- 3 IP, 2 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.38 WHIP

The Royals went with Mike Minor for three save situations this week, and he converted all three. In the process, he struck out two batters while only allowing one hit.

Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies- 3 IP, 8 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP

Phillies closer Hector Neris had an incredibly strong week, striking out eight batters in his three appearances, picking up three saves. He only gave up two hits on the week and will look to finish out his season on a strong note this weekend.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

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