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The fun thing about baseball's expanded playoffs with the three Wild Cards in each league is that a lot more teams can play like they have a chance to make the playoffs. That's exciting and makes for some really interesting games and storylines throughout August and September. The bad thing about that many teams thinking they have a chance though is that the trade deadline doesn't carry quite as much excitement as it used to. With fewer teams selling and more teams either buying or holding on to see what happens, the days of giant blockbuster trades right at the deadline seem to be (mostly) a thing of the past.
There were still some deals this year, and while a lot of teams that traded went for more offense or starting pitching, there certainly were some bullpen-altering moves made ahead of the deadline. Also, now that there are no separate non-waiver and waiver trade deadlines, this is it! Barring DFAs and rare late-season free-agent signings, what teams have now is what they'll have for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs. So let's take a look at what those bullpens look like and at what changes we saw this week.
Be sure to also keep an eye on our Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts for saves, holds, and bullpens. They will be updated daily or sometimes even more often throughout the 2023 baseball season.
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Toronto Blue Jays/St. Louis Cardinals - Bullpen and Closer News
Early in the week, the Blue Jays had to place their closer, Jordan Romano, on the injured list due to a recurrence of the back issue that he was experiencing earlier in the season. They wasted no time in finding his replacement, agreeing on a trade with the Cardinals to bring another Jordan, Jordan Hicks, to Toronto.
Early assumptions were that Hicks would take over the ninth inning, but in a small sample, he's been used more as a fireman, recently facing the heart of the opponent's order in the eighth, leading to an Erik Swanson save opportunity in the ninth. Hicks and Swanson should see most of the save chances, with Yimi Garcia perhaps mixing in on occasion. Hicks is likely the best bet in saves leagues and in holds leagues, but Swanson should have solid value as well.
Meanwhile, in St. Louis, Hicks is gone as well as Chris Stratton, who was working in a setup/middle relief role. Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero will handle the save chances for the rest of this rare lost season for the Cardinals. Ryan Helsley could be off the IL soon, but he shouldn't be expected to do too much, as the team will likely be very careful with him once he returns.
Risers: Erik Swanson, Giovanny Gallegos, JoJo Romero
Fallers: Jordan Hicks (slightly), Jordan Romano
San Diego Padres/Kansas City Royals - Bullpen and Closer News
The Padres were rumored to be sellers for a bit before deciding to keep their team intact and actually add at the deadline to go for it this year. There were talks of them possibly trading impending free agent closer Josh Hader, but they held onto him and instead added former Royals closer Scott Barlow to their bullpen.
Barlow won't supplant Hader, but he should slide into the eighth innings and work as Hader's primary setup man. It kills Barlow's value in saves-only leagues, but might actually be a significant boost in holds leagues, as he'll certainly see more leads than he did in Kansas City.
Back in Missouri though, Carlos Hernandez should step up from his eighth-inning role into the closer's role. He can be taken off most waiver wires for free and could provide some sneaky value in saves-only leagues for the rest of the season.
Risers: Carlos Hernandez
Fallers: Scott Barlow (in saves only)
Arizona Diamondbacks/Seattle Mariners/Milwaukee Brewers - Bullpen and Closer News
The Diamondbacks desperately needed to do something to solidify their bullpen at the deadline, so they went out and picked up former Mariners closer Paul Sewald. They then made another bullpen trade with the Brewers, sending Andrew Chafin to Milwaukee in exchange for Peter Strzelecki.
Sewald immediately steps in to close in Arizona, while Chafin and Strzelecki will work in middle relief roles on their new teams. Up in Seattle, Andres Munoz takes the reins as closer and has the peripherals to be one of the better fantasy closers if the Mariners can give him enough leads to rack up solid save numbers.
Risers: Paul Sewald, Andres Munoz
Fallers: Andrew Chafin
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Liam Hendriks underwent Tommy John Surgery this week and is out for this season plus most of next. It's a shame to see him miss more time after how hard he worked to return to the mound this season. The White Sox will move forward with Gregory Santos for most save chances.
-Andrew Nardi was activated from the IL and will rejoin the Marlins bullpen in a key holds role. He's a valuable holds league asset that remains on most waiver wires.
-Speaking of the Marlins, brand new closer David Robertson already has a blown save and took a loss, posting an unsightly 12.00 ERA in his new uniform.
-The Rockies traded Brad Hand to the Braves, which should be mostly a lateral move for his holds league value. Jake Bird gets a boost from Hand no longer being around in Colorado.
-A.J. Minter is off the IL and back in a key setup role for the Braves.
-With Sam Moll traded to the Reds, the A's may call on Lucas Erceg for some high-leverage work the rare times they have a lead.
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