With the trade deadline in the rear-view mirror, buyers and sellers have made the moves to thrust their team in their respective directions. While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men that have proven to be closer candidates to target off the waiver wire for Week 18 of the fantasy baseball season.

The more likely a team is to win, the more likely a pitcher will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league. Bear in mind, an effective relief pitcher highlighted today could find himself in a closer's role if the everyday closer is unavailable or recently ineffective.

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Week 18 Bullpen Targets

Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners

2 Saves, 13 Holds, 2.00 ERA, 27.0 IP, 53 K, 1.26 WHIP

Rookie Edwin Diaz has a chance to flourish where veteran Steve Cishek floundered before finding himself on the disabled list. Despite tallying 26 saves, his last two appearances featured three runs against the Chicago Cubs in a blown save and a tie-breaking solo home run to the Boston Red Sox. These last two outings signaled his end as the closer and Edwin Diaz took the important role. The numbers Diaz has put up in his brief major league career have been outstanding. Sporting a 97.0 MPH fastball, Diaz is generating nearly two strikeouts per inning pitched (17.7 K/9) and is still inducing 48.1% ground balls on batted balls too. With the stuff Diaz brings to the mound, he profiled to be a closer and now the opportunity presented itself. Look forward to him putting up great numbers for the Mariners and your team if you manage to pick him up off the waiver wire.

Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates

1 Save, 23 Holds, 2.58 ERA, 45.1 IP, 40 K, 1.06 WHIP

With Mark Melancon shipped out to D.C., Tony Watson will take on the closing duties in Pittsburgh. While Melancon is a reliable ninth inning source, Tony Watson was having another good year as the setup reliever for the Pirates but now he will get his first opportunity as the official closer. The lefty has opponents hitting .199 on his 93.2 MPH fastball and 85.1 MPH changeup. Watson generates ground balls (47.5%) at a slightly higher rate than fly balls (35.0%) but his exceptional defense behind him can catch what is put in play against him. He will get the first try at closing and if he falters, keep an eye on Neftali Feli as his closer experience could garner him some attention.

Ken Giles, Houston Astros

1 Save, 18 Holds, 3.80 ERA, 42.2 IP, 63 K, 1.29 WHIP

The trio of closers on the Houston Astros has taken its next turn. After Luke Gregerson struggled, Will Harris took his turn and now that Harris has started to struggle, Ken Giles will take his turn. After struggling out of the gate, Giles has settled down to the reliever the Astros thought they acquired. Utilizing a 97.0 MPH fastball and an 85.8 MPH slider, Giles has not allowed a run since June 21 (13.1 IP, 23 K) and has become a dominant force in the bullpen. His reward will be a benefit for him, the Astros and your fantasy team if you manage to pick him up.

Jake Barrett, Arizona Diamondbacks

3 Saves, 3 Holds, 3.66 ERA, 39.1 IP, 39 K, 1.32 WHIP

With Brad Ziegler and Tyler Clippard shipped out and Daniel Hudson struggling, Jake Barrett will be the first in line for closing opportunities. Barrett brings a 95.1 MPH fastball and a 86.7 MPH slider with him to the mound as he averages nearly a strikeout per inning pitched. Opponents are hitting .242 against him and he generates 43.2% ground balls but 35.1% fly balls. He may need to cut down on his hits per inning (8.2) as he will be pitching in high leverage situations. With less-than-ideal possibilities in the bullpen, Barrett is poised to hold this position until proven undeserving.

Tyler Thornburg, Milwaukee Brewers

3 Saves, 20 Holds, 2.27 ERA, 43.2 IP, 61 K, 0.96 WHIP

With Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith sent out of town, the Milwaukee Brewers turn to Tyler Thornburg for the ninth inning role. Thornburg is having an outstanding year. He is holding opponents to a .178 batting average and is striking out well over a batter per inning (12.6 K/9). A reason for his success lies in mixing his 94.2 MPH fastball with a 78.7 MPH curveball. The Brewers may not come across a lot of wins in the last two months of the season but Thornburg is having a strong season that can provide quality work as long as he makes appearances in games.

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