RADIO
The All-Star Game is such old news, we're all talking about the trade deadline now! It was another intriguing week of baseball and bullpens across the league held part of that intrigue. The trade deadline is in just a few days (Tuesday, July 30!) and while we haven't seen or heard too much buzzing yet, it's sure to be "The Bee Movie" out here before long.
This week, we saw an elite closer who has yet to pitch this year return to a minor league mound. We saw another elite closer almost sure to be on a new team by the time the next Closers and Saves Report is posted throw a hidden no-hitter. We saw a guy who had been elite for a while lose his closing spot after a few rough outings. And we saw another reliever trade! All that and more in detail in this week's report: Read on!
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 2024 baseball season.
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Sunday Quick Hit Closer Updates
-Carlos Estevez was traded to the Phillies, where he will certainly join the closer hierarchy.
-Luis Garcia remains as closer for the Angels, but he's likely to be traded as well. Ben Joyce would be next in line.
-Lucas Erceg pitched the 2-3-4 pocket for a hold in the eighth inning in his first appearance after Mason Miller went on the IL, then Erceg earned a save in his next outing.
-Yimi Garcia was traded to the Mariners, where he'll presumably fill the high leverage role that was vacated by Ryne Stanek, who was traded to the Mets. Stanek will take on a key setup role in New York.
-Nick Mears was traded to the Brewers. He won't close, but he's really good (don't let ERA fool you) and could become a holds league asset.
-Rays closer Pete Fairbanks is getting more and more heat on trade deadline rumors, but for now he's still part of Tampa Bay.
-Evan Phillips is really, really struggling and might not see a leverage situation for a while.
-Based on what the Angels got for Estevez, the Marlins might get a top-10 prospect for Tanner Scott.
-Many more trades to come, stay tuned!
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Saves
Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers (Rostered in 70% of leagues)
Brewers closer Devin Williams hasn't pitched yet this season because of stress fractures in his back, but he's been on a minor league rehab assignment and has not allowed a single hit in three appearances. It's honestly unfair to have Williams facing minor league hitters, as he's used to making major league hitters look like little leaguers.
With three rehab appearances under his belt and no setbacks, Williams could make his return to the Brewers bullpen this weekend, or at the latest, early next week. He's one of the best closers in baseball and is freely available in 30% of league waiver wires. Go check your wire right now and get Williams immediately if he's there! (Also, if you're holding Trevor Megill, your "trade him to a manager who isn't really paying attention" window is about to slam shut.)
Devin Williams.
Nuff said. pic.twitter.com/wUZrQRQUzi
— Nashville Sounds (@nashvillesounds) July 25, 2024
Ben Joyce, Los Angeles Angels (Rostered in 6% of leagues)
For the third week in a row: Ben Joyce. There are several teams who might trade some of their current leverage relievers (Marlins, Nationals, White Sox, Rays), but none of those teams are likely to have a guy left with as clear a path to saves as Ben Joyce. Right now, Carlos Estevez and Luis Garcia are both ahead of Joyce on the Angels' leverage ladder, but both of those guys are free agents after this season, so the Angels have no reason to hold onto them past the deadline. Once those two are in a new uniform, Joyce should almost certainly be the ninth-inning guy in Anaheim, and he has the upside to be a real fantasy asset.
This is probably the nastiest sinker/splitter/splinker that Ben Joyce has thrown since he incorporated into his arsenal earlier this month.
99.9 mph with 16.1 inches of run. pic.twitter.com/KPeuqER6GS
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) June 25, 2024
Daniel Hudson, Los Angeles Dodgers (Rostered in 53% of leagues)
Dodgers closer Evan Phillips has (somewhat quietly) been one of the most effective relievers in baseball since 2022. He started off hot again this season, but recent struggles have pushed him out of the solidified closer's role for the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts has said that Phillips will remain as part of the leverage ladder in L.A., but veteran Daniel Hudson (rostered in just 53% of leagues) has been pitching well and has earned a save in each of his last four appearances. Like usual, the Dodgers bullpen will likely remain somewhat fluid, but if anyone's the closer there now, it's Hudson (even though he pitched in the sixth inning on Thursday).
Daniel Hudson tried 😂 👐 pic.twitter.com/V1PQc3uDpi
— Stacie Wheeler (@StacieMWheeler) July 7, 2024
Lucas Erceg, Oakland Athletics (Rostered in 2% of leagues)
A's closer Mason Miller was placed on the injured list on Thursday due to a fractured pinky finger on his left hand. Miller reportedly placed his hand down awkwardly while preparing to perform an exercise, leading to the injury. Luckily, it wasn't on his throwing hand, so he could be back before too long of a stay on the IL. Still, he'll be out for at least two weeks and Lucas Erceg is the most likely guy to step in for any upcoming save situations (although manager Mark Kotsay said he's going to mix and match based on situations). Erceg has been solid all year with 11 holds and a 26.2% K%. He's worth rostering for anyone who just had to throw Miller onto their IL spot.
I can’t believe this play is even real
Lucas Erceg take a bow pic.twitter.com/3eR0QVN5lO
— Peter Appel (@peterappel23) April 14, 2024
Hunter Harvey, Kansas City Royals (Rostered in 44% of leagues)
The Royals started the relief pitching trade market by picking up Hunter Harvey from the Nationals on July 13. Since then, he's only pitched twice, picking up his first hold as a Royal on Wednesday. Harvey should already be rostered in all holds leagues, but with James McArthur struggling in the Kansas City closer's role (he's allowed six runs in three innings since the trade, mostly due to one really bad outing), it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see a switch take place. This bullpen might even add another reliever at the deadline, but at least for now, if McArthur needs a break, Harvey is the clear next guy up.
Hunter Harvey escapes the jam 😅 pic.twitter.com/1OPIuYfhHS
— 643Royals (@643royals) July 25, 2024
More Bullpen and Closer News
Miami Marlins/Arizona Diamondbacks
The Marlins are open for business. A.J. Puk was traded to the Diamondbacks on Thursday and will presumably work in a key setup role alongside Kevin Ginkel ahead of closer Paul Sewald. Puk was atrocious as a starter, but has been very good since returning to the bullpen. Reports state that the Marlins are not just open to dealing pretty much anyone, but also that they have already received calls on every relief pitcher on the roster. Guys like Puk and Tanner Scott were always expected to draw interest, but Anthony Bender, Declan Cronin, JT Chargois, and Andrew Nardi have all been mentioned on phone calls as well. The Diamondbacks are likely done adding big relief pieces, but the Marlins bullpen will probably look completely different by next week.
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Tanner Scott completed a hidden no-hitter this week, and he's kept it going from there. The (for now) Marlins closer has pitched in 10 straight games since the last time he allowed a hit on June 25.
-Fun with stats: Orion Kerkering hit a batter and issued two walks while getting one out, and all three of his baserunners ended up coming around to score. He earned a hold.
-The Red Sox are reportedly still open to trading Kenley Jansen. Jansen missed the series in Colorado this week due to concerns about his previous heart condition.
-Chad Green looks like he's held onto the closer's job in Toronto even with Yimi Garcia back in the bullpen. Garcia is very likely to be traded, and Green is a potential candidate as well.
-Ryan Helsley remains the major league saves leader with 33. Emmanuel Clase has 31 and Kyle Finnegan has 28 to round out the top three.
-Andrew Kittredge and Hunter Harvey are tied atop the holds leaderboard, each with 27. They're followed by JoJo Romero with 26 and Yennier Cano with 24.
-Jalen Beeks remains the leader in blown saves with seven. Clay Holmes and Craig Kimbrel are breathing down his neck with six each, and then 13 different pitchers have five apiece.
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