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The world of closers is one of constant turmoil. There are a couple dominating setup man on the waiver wire in many leagues who may soon steal the ninth inning job from struggling closers.
Below are some relief pitchers to consider adding off the waiver wire, if you're looking to add some saves potential to for your fantasy baseball teams. Let's get to it.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for closers and relief pitchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Waiver Wire Saves & MLB Bullpen Report for 6/5/2015
A.J. Ramos (RP, Miami Marlins)
The last four appearances for Ramos have been save situations, and he has converted all four of them for Miami. He is still available in half of ESPN leagues despite having a 1.03 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with an 11.62 K/9. With former closer Steve Cishek demoted to Double-A, it looks like Ramos can hold onto the Marlins' ninth inning for the rest of the year. He should be an immediate waiver add for owners looking to add saves.
Shawn Tolleson (RP, Texas Rangers)
Tolleson continues to do a fantastic job serving as closer for the Rangers, but he is still available in 40 percent of ESPN leagues. After firing two scoreless innings Thursday, he now has a 13.1 innings scoreless streak going and is up to six saves on the season with a 2.49 ERA, o.95 WHIP and 11.01 K/9. He has been pitching great for the last month. It's no fluke, Tolleson is going to be a very reliable closer for fantasy owners for the rest of the season.
Brad Ziegler (RP, Arizona Diamondbacks)
The ground-ball pitcher has been Arizona's best reliever this season with a 1.80 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. Ziegler picked up saves number four and five this past week and is still the Diamondbacks number one option in the ninth inning. Former closer Addison Reed allowed a run on three hits in his most recent appearance, which certainly wont help him regain the closers role. Ziegler is available in nearly 80 percent of ESPN leagues and is worth an add for owners in need of saves.
Greg Holland and Wade Davis (RP, Kansas City Royals)
Holland has uncharacteristically struggled this season with 10 strikeouts and eight walks in 12.1 innings. Meanwhile, setup man Wade Davis has a 0.39 ERA with 9.39 K/9 and 3.13 BB/9 in 23 innings. Davis did a great job filling in as the Royals' closer while Holland was on the DL earlier this season. The situation is worth monitoring going forward as manager Ned Yost may decide to put Davis in the full time closers role.
Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee (RP, Tampa By Rays)
Boxberger blew the save in his last appearance and has now allowed 11 baserunners in his last five innings, raising the question of how much longer he can hold the closers job from Jake McGee. The lefty has allowed a run in just one of his eight appearances since returning from the DL. However, it's been Kevin Jepsen who's locked down the past two saves, on Thursday and Friday night, for Tampa. We wouldn't rush to pick up Jepsen yet but this is a situation to monitor closely.
Sean Doolittle and Tyler Clippard (RP, Oakland Athletics)
Clippard will be the closer in Oakland for a while longer. Doolittle landed back on the DL after just one outing. Clippard has five saves in his last five appearances and a 5.25 ERA on the season. He has a good shot at keeping the ninth inning job in Oakland for the rest of the season, but he is still a free agent in half of ESPN leagues.
Fernando Rodney and Carson Smith (RP, Seattle Mariners)
Rodney recently blew his third save of the season. It's a surprise he still is the closer in Seattle despite carrying a 6.85 ERA on the season. Carson Smith figures to be the next man up whenever manager Lloyd Mcclendon decides to pull the plug on Rodney, as he has been terrific pitching to a 1.17 ERA, 0.74 WHIP 10.96 K/9, and 1.96 BB/9 this season.
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