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We are getting close to the half way mark of the fantasy season, and the closer landscape is still changing from week to week. 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 5/29/2015
Shawn Tolleson (RP, Texas Rangers)
Tolleson has now converted 5-of-5 save opportunities since taking over the ninth inning for Neftali Feliz less than two weeks ago. With the Rangers 7-3 in its last ten games, manager Jeff Banister definitely isn't thinking about going back to Feliz as his closer anytime soon. Tolleson has gone his last 10 appearances without giving up a run to lower his ERA to 2.82 with 30 strikeouts in 22.1 innings this season. He's available in slightly more than half of fantasy leagues, but should be owned in all leagues as he has a very firm grip on the closer's role in Texas going forward.
Jim Johnson (RP, Atlanta Braves)
Johnson has registered 11 strikeouts and five holds in his last nine scoreless innings. He has been among the best set-up man in baseball with a 2.42 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 22:6 K/BB ratio in 22.1 innings this season. Current Atlanta Braves closer Jason Grilli gave up a run on two hits in his last appearance and now has a 4.41 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. He still came away with the save, but with Johnson pitching much better of late it may not be long before he steals the job from Grilli. Johnson is available in 70 percent of fantasy leagues and is certainly worthy of an add in most leagues, especially for concerned Grilli owners.
Carson Smith (RP, Seattle Mariners)
He isn't closing yet in Seattle, but Smith has easily been one of the best relievers in the league this season. He owns a sparkling 0.86 ERA and 0.67 WHIP with 24 strikeouts in 21 innings for the Mariners. Danny Farquhar was just sent down to the minors, so Smith is now the lone set-up man to Fernando Rodney in Seattle's bullpen, but Rodney has been awful all year with his 6.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP. The closing situation in Seattle needs to be monitored going forward, and Rodney may very well be just one more poor outing away from losing his closer's job to the 25-year-old Smith. If/when that happens, Smith has a great shot at keeping the role for the rest of the year and emerging as one of the top fantasy closers.
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