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Relief pitchers to monitor for holds or as closer handcuffs for Week 16. Rick Graham analyzes under-the-radar RP as deep league targets or waiver wire adds.
Today and every Tuesday moving forward throughout the 2018 MLB season, we will take a deep dive into some of the lesser-owned relief pitchers on the market that are worth keeping tabs on.
This can be a good tool for those in deeper holds leagues, although any pitcher in a position to make a move on their respective team's closer job will get priority.
Below are my relief pitchers to target for Week 16 of the fantasy baseball season. Let's get to it.
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Under-the-Radar Relievers to Watch - Week 16
Mychal Givens, Baltimore Orioles - 3% owned
With Zach Britton and Brad Brach basically locks to be moved by the trade deadline, and Darren O'Day out for the year, that leaves Mychal Givens as the only reasonable closer option for the Orioles going into the final two months of the season. It's been a very up and down season for Givens, but the talent is there to be one of the best relievers in the game if he can just command the zone more consistently. A career high.341 BABIP has been a big part of his struggles this season, as his FIP is actually better than the past two seasons. There will be ups and downs, and save opportunities will be hard to come by in Baltimore but Givens is still worth a look as a deep league stash for now.
Diego Castillo, Tampa Bay Rays - 2% owned
I mentioned Castillo a few weeks back, and now that we are closer to the trade deadline, it's worth mentioning his name once again. Sergio Romo has done a fantastic job as the Rays closer since the trade of Alex Colome, and as a UFA to be, should fetch the Rays a decent prospect or two at the deadline. That leaves Diego Castillo as the current favorite to take over closer duties going forward despite some recent hiccups. He still holds a sub-three ERA on the season with a 3.29 K/BB ratio and his 19 saves over the past two seasons at the AA and AAA levels should give Kevin Cash some faith in him being able to lock down the 9th inning for the foreseeable future.
Robert Gsellman, New York Mets - 9% owned
Gsellman already has four saves to his name on the season, but he could be in line for a bunch more once the Mets find a trade partner for impending UFA Jeurys Familia. After a phenomenal first month of the season, Gsellman has struggled mightily since but continues to see mostly high leverage situations as the Mets lack any other viable options at the moment. Similar to Givens, he isn't going to be consistent for you in the ratio department, but he will be able to help in the save column some and is worth a look for those desperate for saves.
