MLB Closers And Saves Waiver Wire Watch For 7/22/15

Dillon Borgida analyzes MLB closers (RP) to target for saves and strikeouts as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for Week 16 (7/22/2015) of the MLB season.

The All-Star break has come and gone and two of MLB's worst bullpens have attempted to address their needs in different ways. Moves are being made, and a man with 207 career saves is somehow a sneaky waiver wire pickup this week! The second half of the season has begun and now it's time for the home stretch.

Editor's Note: Bookmark our MLB Closers & Saves Depth Charts for the latest look at all the current closers, setup men, longshots and relief pitcher waiver wire adds.

Rafael Soriano (CHC)

The Cubs revolving door at closer is taking yet another turn as the team promoted veteran righty Rafael Soriano to the big leagues this week. Jason Motte has been getting the save chances of late with Hector Rondon as the setup man, and they have actually been doing a solid job. It is not known if Soriano will immediately move into the closer role or if he was simply brought up to add depth for the Cubs playoff push.

In his first appearance with the Cubs, Soriano pitched a scoreless inning in a tied ball game in the 8th. At only 7% owned, Soriano is the best waiver wire option this week for relievers. The Cubs are playing meaningful games and there should be a solid amount of save chances for the team.

Trevor Rosenthal (STL)

Going into the All-Star break Rosenthal had what was labeled as a dead arm and his status was in question. While he did return to the mound this week, he continued to struggle, throwing a wild pitch and giving up a run. That makes three straight appearances in which he’s given up at least a run, after only allowing three total runs in his previous 39 appearances.

So while he is back in the lineup, Rosenthal owners should keep an eye on him to make sure there is nothing serious going on. If anything happens to him that results in him being taken out of the lineup, Kevin Siegrest is next in line as the closer.

Aaron Sanchez (TOR)

The Jays have had one of the worst bullpens all year from top to bottom, and their inability to find a reliable closer has been somewhat comical. This week manager Jay Gibbons stated that former starter from earlier this season, Aaron Sanchez, will be moved to the bullpen once he returns from injury.

Sanchez is only 23 years old and has just 33 innings of relief experience at the Major League level. He’s not a strikeout pitcher by any means but he did sport an impressive 1.09 ERA in those relief innings. I wouldn’t say Sanchez is a great waiver wire option just yet, but if he starts getting some save opportunities he is someone to think about adding.

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