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Before this 60-game season started, we all knew every little thing would matter more. We knew that every game was, essentially, 2.7 times as important as a regular game in a 162-game season. We knew managers would have much shorter leashes on their underperforming players, and perhaps much quicker promotions for the quick starters.
But we had no idea things would move THIS fast. Every day seems like a week's worth of bullpen news. It seems like almost every bullpen is volatile, or at best, questionable. Every day, there are fewer and fewer solid, one-man closer type bullpens. Even some of the closers were used to seeing dominate are looking very hittable this year.
It makes sense to use a committee in a season like this one, and many teams look like they're heading in that direction. That, combined with injuries and poor performance, will make for quite an annoying season for fantasy owners outside of those lucky few who drafted the closers who are actually keeping their jobs. Stick with Rotoballer's Closer Depth Chart (linked below) and our weekly Closers and Saves Report (hi! hello! how are you?) to keep as much on top of this wild season as possible.
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Take a look at our Closer Depth Chart, which is updated daily. Let's jump in and take a look at what's been going on in the bullpens around baseball.
Bullpen News for Week 3
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates bullpen was a mess right before the season started, with Keone Kela and Kyle Crick not quite ready to get the season going. Nick Burdi jumped in and showed his nice upside for a while, but now he's done for the season with elbow issues. Kela is on his way back from COVID-related issues, and the Pirates have already confirmed that he'll close as soon as he's back on the mound. The Pirates might not even have a save chance until then, so it's not the bullpen to target for saves even for streamers. Unfortunately, Burdi can be dropped in all redraft formats.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals surprised everyone by naming Korean free agent signing Kwang-Hyun Kim as their closer. He was not even known to be in the running, but injuries and delayed Summer Camp starts caused them to scramble for a ninth inning option. Kim did well enough in the ninth, but his services are now needed in the starting rotation. As Kim was originally signed to be a member of the rotation anyway, he'll now work his way from there. That leaves an open space in the ninth inning, which for now will be filled by a committee. Some comments from manager Mike Schildt made it seem like fireballer Ryan Helsley may be the top option, but Giovanny Gallegos figures to find himself on the mound with a lead now and then as well. Either guy would be a worthwhile fantasy closer if handed the full time job, so keep an eye on how the Cardinals close out their games once they're back on the field.
New York Yankees
Aroldis Chapman is reportedly through with his bout of COVID-19 and on his way back to the mound. He has been cleared to throw again, but manager Aaron Boone has repeatedly said that he doesn't want to rush his closer back. With Zach Britton performing well in the Yankees closer role, there's no need for Chapman to rush through his progressions. Still, he is fully expected to resume the closer's role before too long.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels will be moving on from having Hansel Robles handle save situations on his own. Despite a solid season last year, Robles was off to a putrid start in 2020, and the Angels will work with a committee approach, at least for now. Ty Buttrey got the first post-Robles save chance and converted it just fine. He's the most likely option for saves, but Hoby Milner and Felix Pena will likely join in as well.
Colorado Rockies
Rockies closer Wade Davis pretty much started the year on the hot seat. He didn't take too long to lose his job, although it was due to injury this season. Davis is on the IL with a shoulder strain. The Rockies haven't named a closer in his place, but Jairo Diaz and Carlos Estevez figure to benefit the most from the new Colorado bullpen hierarchy. Either would be worth an add if they took the job for themselves, but it will be hard to predict which reliever will be next up for now.
Short Relief
- Stephen Tarpley earned a save for the Marlins in Game 2 of a double header, but it was more of a situational thing than a sign of things to come. Brandon Kintzler remains the closer in Miami, with Brad Boxberger and Richard Bleier his main setup guys.
- Cole Sulser seems to have fully taken over the closer's role in Baltimore, which we will no longer mark as a committee.
- Brad Hand hasn't looked great this year for Cleveland, and it's been unclear who would be next up. It's certainly one of Nick Wittgren or James Karinchak, though. While Wittgren has more experience, Karinchak has significantly more upside.
- The Royals bullpen remains a mess of veteran relievers all sharing save chances. Ian Kennedy, Trevor Rosenthal, and Greg Holland. In the year 2020.
- Just when Taylor Williams looked like he was working his way up in the Mariners pen, he blew a game in three-run homer fashion. Dan Altavilla,Williams, and Carl Edwards Jr. will continue to split duties unless one of them really starts pitching well.
- In the post-Leclerc days, it's looking like veteran former starter Edinson Volquez will head the committee in Texas along with Jonathan Hernandez and Nick Goody.
- Cubs veteran Craig Kimbrel has lost his hold on the ninth inning and will work, at least for now, as part of a committee along with Rowan Wick and Jeremy Jeffress.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
Cole Sulser, Baltimore Orioles- Sulser has seemingly taken over the ninth inning on a somewhat surprising Orioles team (at least until they faced the juggernaut Marlins). He can strike guys out and should be a help to any mixed league roster.
Keone Kela, Pittsburgh Pirates- You might have to wait a few days to see Kela pitch if you add him, but he's guaranteed the ninth inning in Pittsburgh and should put up decent ratio stats as well.
Ryan Helsley or Giovanny Gallegos, St. Louis Cardinals- One of these two guys will likely emerge from the current committee to take over the ninth inning. Gallegos has a bit more experience, but Helsley has more upside. Take your pick.
Carlos Estevez or Jairo Diaz, Colorado Rockies- Again, it's a take your pick add here, whichever guy you think will emerge from the committee as the closer is certainly worth a roster spot.
Ty Buttrey, Los Angeles Angels- Buttrey struggled to start the year, but so did Hansel Robles ahead of him. Buttrey looks like the leader of the committee and should come out on top of the Angels hierarchy.
Drops
Nick Burdi, Pittsburgh Pirates- Just featured on the "adds" last week, now it's Bye Bye Burdi, as his season is over due to arm troubles.
Hansel Robles, Los Angeles Angels- Robles has lost his job and doesn't really even seem to be in striking distance now. It could be a while until he sees another ninth inning opportunity.
Best of the Week
Liam Hendriks, Oakland A's- 4 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
A's closer Liam Hendriks had a great week, saving three games while allowing just two hits and no runs, striking out a half dozen along the way.
Zach Britton, New York Yankees- 3 IP, 3 SV, 2 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP
Yankees closer (for now) Zach Britton did not allow anyone to reach base all week. He saved three games and struck out two.
Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers- 3 IP, 3 SV, 4 K, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen didn't put up the sparking ERAs and WHIPs of the other two members of this list, but he rounds out the three-saves-this-week club with a solid enough performance, thanks in part to an excellent throw from left field by Chris Taylor.
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