Who Is The Mets' Closer? Fantasy Baseball Saves Outlooks

August 17, 2023

Who will be the closer for the New York Mets after the David Robertson trade? Read the fantasy baseball outlook here.

With the Mets trading closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins, New York's closer role is vacant.

New York entered the season with high expectations and a superstar closer. When Edwin Diaz sustained a season-ending knee injury in March, the New York bullpen entered a state of flux. However, Robertson and other relievers performed well in his absence.

But with Robertson in Miami, the New York Mets will now have to rely on different relievers to close games. Who in the New York Mets bullpen has filled the closer role, and who else could make an impact in fantasy baseball?

A Closer Committee

With Edwin Diaz ruled out for the 2023 season, the Mets looked to David Robertson and Adam Ottavino to close games.

Ottavino picked up four saves, four holds, and two losses in the first 40 games of the season, but fell to a seventh-inning and eight-inning option after posting a 5.56 ERA in May. He has recovered with a 1.65 ERA, two holds, and four saves since July 1. The 37-year-old has closed in his last six appearances, but he isn't the only late-game option at Buck Showalter's disposal.

With a 2.57 ERA and 19 saves at the time, Brooks Raley became a saves option after the Robertson trade. He finished three straight games following the Robertson trade, picking up two saves. However, he has since closed two games, with only a blown loss and two holds to boast of in August.

While the 55-66 Mets are running out the clock on the 2023 season, Ottavino and Raley are still poised to provide value in fantasy baseball as the leaders of New York's bullpen.

Viable Alternatives

There is little chance that someone breaks through Raley and Ottavino's saves duopoly, but other relievers are in line to pick up holds.

Rotoballer's regularly updated bullpen depth chart has Drew Smith, Trevor Gott, and Phil Bickford as other late-game options.

Drew Smith has a 4.20 ERA, two saves, and 10 holds this season, giving him limited fantasy value. Trevor Gott is also a viable -- but limited -- option in deeper leagues, with eight holds and a 3.63 ERA. Phil Bickford's one save, three holds, and 5.94 ERA put him in a lower tier.

Per Buck Showalter, Edwin Diaz has made incredible progress and is now throwing off a mound. However, the Mets remain noncommittal on their superstar closer making an appearance in what is now a lost season.

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