Florio's Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report - Iglesias Nearing, Dodgers Going Committee

May 3, 2023

Michael F. Florio reviews bullpens that have changed, closers to add off the waiver wire, and relief pitchers who are useful for fantasy baseball heading into Week 6.

Every week on RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (Sundays from 3-5 pm ET), Scott Engel and I go over names to grab off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball. One thing I preach weekly is that not every waiver wire pickup needs to be a league winner or even someone that you roster for the entire season. If you pick up a player and they have a hot month, couple weeks, or even if you just use them for a week -- then it's a worthwhile pickup if they help your fantasy team. 

The same goes for bullpen arms. Not every potential late-inning arm is going to work out. And even fewer will stick for the entire season. But we are starting to see relievers deal with injuries. Some of them are on the IL, which makes it easier to pick up the reliever that will step up in their place. However, we are seeing several closers be sidelined with injuries that do not put them on the IL.

This leads to reliever rentals on the waiver wire. Pitchers that can get you a couple of save chances in a given week but who you can throw back on the wire once the full-time closer returns. These are relievers you can capture off the wire for cheap and just toss back after the week. But at the end of the year, that handful of saves you find can and likely will make a difference. This week, we will focus on some of these relievers and all pens that are changing around the league. 

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Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball

The Cubs have been a tough bullpen to figure out due to a lack of save opportunities. Through last week, they had just two saves, with each going to a different pitcher. However, they finally picked up a third save with it going to Brad Boxberger, giving him two on the year. Michael Fulmer has one (and two blown saves). While Fulmer has more swing-and-miss stuff, Boxberger has been the more effective pitcher. Boxberger is the option to trust moving forward in this bullpen and remains highly available. He is worth using up to 10 percent of your FAAB budget to secure. 

It seemed that the Rangers would have a committee coming into the season. After the opening couple of weeks, it appeared that way. However, it is looking like William Smith has taken a firm grip on the job. He picked up the only save chance in the last week and has three of the four saves for the Rangers. Jose Leclerc has the other, but he does have two blown saves. Smith is still available in many leagues. If you need saves, you can spend 10 to 13 percent of your FAAB budget. Leclerc is in play for those in deeper leagues as he provides ratios and could still see some save chances. 

The A’s have not had a save chance in the last week. It's no surprise for an A’s team that sports a minor league lineup. However, on the season, Jeurys Familia does lead them with two saves while also having two blown chances. On the year, he has pitched to a 6.57 ERA, 6.19 xERA, and 1.95 WHIP with a 13 percent strikeout rate. It’s pretty terrible but at least he is getting save chances. Familia is only for those desperate for saves in deeper formats. 

The Braves bullpen has struggled without Raisel Iglesias but luckily for Atlanta fans and fantasy managers, Iglesias is expected back soon. He could return as soon as this weekend. He has already appeared in two minor league games and has yet to allow a base runner. The last box the Braves want him to check is pitching in back-to-back games. Once he does, he will be able to return to the big league club and should quickly retake his role as their closer. He is one of the best reliever options in the game when healthy. 

Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball 

I took a victory lap for Jose Alvarado last week and I stand by the fact that he is the Phillies reliever to roster in fantasy baseball. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other useful arms in this bullpen. Craig Kimbrel picked up a save in the last week, his third on the season. While Kimbrel is not the pitcher he used to be, he can still provide strikeouts and the occasional save. He will hurt your ratios, though. Alvarado should be universally rostered, while Kimbrel is in play for those in need of saves in deeper leagues such as 15-teamers or NL only.

Pete Fairbanks has been the top closer option for the Rays. He has yet to allow a run this season and has picked up three of their five saves. However, he is dealing with numbness in his fingers, which is concerning for a pitcher. While the Rays have not added him to the IL yet, that cannot be ruled out. While Jason Adam does not have a save this season, he would be the top arm to speculate in this bullpen. Grab Adam for cheap off the waiver wire now if you need saves. He could get the opportunities for as long as Fairbanks is sidelined. 

Reynaldo Lopez has all three saves for the White Sox this season. One for every blown save he has on the year. But he exited on Sunday with fatigue in his bicep. If he misses more time this week, we could see another reliever get the opportunity. Kendall Graveman has been pitching in a setup role and would be the top option to speculate on. Aaron Bummer and Keynan Middleton have more experience and would be deeper fliers. This is all until Liam Hendriks returns and regains his role at the back end of this bullpen. Check your waiver wire to see if he is out there just in case. 

The Dodgers had three saves in the last week -- with each one going to a different pitcher. Evan Phillips, Shelby Miller, and Brusdar Graterol all picked up a save for the Dodgers. All three have an ERA of 2.70 or lower with a WHIP of 1.00 or less. Phillips remains the top option since he just had the most save chances but also because he is the best strikeout pitcher of the bunch. However, Graterol and Miller are now deeper league options, in that order. 

The Mets have a two-man committee at the back end of their bullpen. David Robertson and Adam Ottavino share the role. Robertson is the top option and has picked up six of the nine saves. However, Ottavino has three saves on the year and provides strong ratios and strikeout rates. Despite that, he is available in well over half of fantasy baseball leagues, while Robertson is nearly universally rostered. Ottavino needs to be picked up in more leagues. 

Elite Strikeouts and Ratios 

Giovanny Gallegos is going to continue being featured in this article until he is picked up in more leagues. Gallegos has pitched to a 1.00 ERA, 2.97 xERA, and 0.67 WHIP with a 34 percent strikeout rate. He is also next in line for save opportunities on the Cardinals. He is one of my favorite non-closer relievers to roster. His teammate, Genesis Cabrera, can also provide strong ratios and strikeouts. He has pitched to a 2.31 ERA, 2.36 xERA, and 0.94 WHIP with a 42 percent strikeout rate. 

Aroldis Chapman was someone I advocated to pick up a couple of weeks ago and he has yet to get a save since. That is more on his team than him, but it has led to fantasy managers throwing him back on the waiver wire. He can still be useful for fantasy purposes, though. Chapman has pitched to a 1.74 ERA, 1.62 xERA, and 0.87 WHIP with a 46 percent strikeout rate -- the third-highest rate amongst qualified relievers. Plus, despite the lack of chances, Chapman remains in the ninth-inning picture for the Royals. He is a useful arm in Roto formats. 

Matt Brash has a 43 percent strikeout rate, the fourth-highest among qualified relievers. He has pitched to a 4.85 ERA but has a 2.58 xERA, so better days could be coming. He also already has a save and pitches in a bullpen that has been known to change on the fly. While he will never likely be the full-time closer in Seattle, he could receive the occasional save chance. 

Bryan Abreu has a 41 percent strikeout rate, the seventh-highest among relievers. He has pitched to a 0.63 ERA with a 2.88 xERA and a 0.84 WHIP. While Abreu is not the closer in Houston and may not even be next in line, he provides great strikeouts and ratios. Abreu is more useful over a fringe starting pitcher who can give five innings or so in a given week. 

Mark Leiter Jr. is a sleeper in the Cubs bullpen. His 40 percent strikeout rate is the ninth-highest among relievers. He has pitched to a 1.54 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP. While all he provides now is strikeouts and ratios, given that the Cubs bullpen has been a bit shaky, he could see some save chances as well.

Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.

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