RADIO
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 17.
At this point, I sound like the analyst that cried wolf, but I promise that the relief pitcher trades are coming. With so much of the league bunched together, many teams are waiting until the last possible minute to see if they can go on a run before selling.
But the trades are going to come and they are going to shake up bullpens around the league, which will cause quite a stir in fantasy baseball leagues. We have already seen one with Aroldis Chapman heading from the Royals to the Rangers (more on that below). But it will be far from the only one.
It could be hard to get out in front of trades since we have no idea who will actually be dealt. We could see current closers dealt with and could see some lose their gig as their team upgrades. But as always, we will do our best to prepare for them.
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Changing Bullpens for Fantasy Baseball
When the Rangers first acquired Chapman it appeared that he would set up for closer Will Smith. However, that idea did not last long. On Sunday, Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out two in the process, for his first save with Texas. After the game, manager Bruce Bochy said that Smith and Chapman would share the ninth. We then saw Smith get the next save. This appears to be a clear committee approach moving forward and both can be started in fantasy baseball.
The Nationals had to place Hunter Harvey on the IL with a right elbow strain. With him sidelined, we saw the return of Kyle Finnegan as the Nationals' closer. He has picked up one save since the all-star break. We all know who Finnegan is at this point. In 40 2/3 innings this season he has picked up 12 saves, with a 3.32 ERA, 4.67 xERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 24 percent strikeout rate. He can be relied upon, but just expect the occasional blowup. He is also a trade candidate, and if he is dealt, then Mason Thompson could be next in line.
The Rays continue to have a committee approach - but Pete Fairbanks appears to be on the heavy side of that. He has picked up the Rays' lone save since the all-star break. He also pitched the ninth inning of a 2-2 game, albeit taking the loss. But he seems to be the option the Rays trust the most in the ninth and should be started in all formats. Jason Adam is also worth rostering but he is not a must-start option.
The Diamondbacks continue to be a frustrating bullpen. The lone save since the break has gone to Kevin Ginkel. In that span Andrew Chafin has gone on the paternity list, Miguel Castro picked up a win, and expected closer Scott McGough has an ERA over 40. This bullpen appears headed towards a full-out committee. While I would still hold onto McGough for the time being, it is not a bad idea to put in a claim for Ginkel, Chafin, and Castro - in that order. Also, this bullpen could be in the market for a proven closer as the deadline nears.
Speculative Saves for Fantasy Baseball
The Dodgers have been a committee all season long and while Evan Phillips has been the top source of saves with 12, eight different pitchers have picked up a save and four have multiple. Since the break, their lone save has gone to Ryan Brasier, his first of the season. As of now, Phillips remains the lone option to roster but you always have to keep an eye on this bullpen. Also, they remain a huge candidate to trade for a closer.
The Cardinals have a clear closer in Jordan Hicks. They also have a clear fallback option in Giovanny Gallegos. The issue is they also have one of the worst records in baseball and have already said that players will be traded. That could include one or both of their late-inning arms. If so, it means a new closer would emerge and that new closer just might be Chris Stratton. A lot obviously has to happen for him to end up closing out games for the red birds, but it is certainly possible. He is a stash candidate in deeper leagues.
The Yankees have been a tough bullpen to figure out this season. The lone save has gone to Clay Holmes, who has been the top candidate for saves all year. The issue has been what he does to your ratios. In the last week, he has a 6.75 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP. The Yankees are in last place but they also are just a couple of games out of the wild card and clearly could be in the market to upgrade their bullpen. In the meantime, Wandy Peralta and Tommy Kahnle are worthy fliers for saves-needy managers in 12-team leagues or deeper.
The A’s have turned to Trevor May as their closer. He has picked up their lone save since the break and is worth starting in fantasy baseball as long as he remains with the team. However, as their highest-paid player, he seems like a likely trade candidate. If they do trade May, Sam Moll is next in line. He is worth adding now if you have the spot, as he already gets the occasional save opportunity.
Elite Strikeouts and Ratios for Fantasy Baseball
Jason Foley is worth an add if you have the spot just in case the Tigers decide to shop Alex Lange. While Foley and Lange are the same age and both have years of team control remaining, Lange has proven he can be a reliable closer. That could be a hot commodity on the market and if so, the Tigers could fetch a large return. If a Lange trade were to happen then Foley, who has three saves with a 2.23 ERA, 2.91 xERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 24 percent strikeout rate would be next in line. It is a dice roll worth taking.
The Mets appear very likely to be sellers and if so, David Robertson seems like a lock to be traded. Adam Ottavino, who is on a one-year deal, would be next in line for the Mets if and when they trade Robertson. Ottavino himself could be traded, but he also has an option for next season. If he is also dealt expect Drew Smith to close out games for the Mets in the second half. Ottavino would be the preferred option to stash but Smith is worth it in deeper leagues.
Daniel Bard still only has one save on the season. The closer in Colorado continues to be Justin Lawrence, but teams are always looking for pitchers who have ninth-inning experience. If the Rockies decide to sell while his value is high, it could open the path for Bard to return to the ninth inning in Colorado. It is no guarantee, but if you are looking to stash a reliever before the deadline, he is not a bad candidate.
Colin Holderman is worthy of a stash just in case the Pirates decide to shop elite closer David Bednar. While Pittsburgh was a fun story early on, they have faded and will clearly be sellers at the deadline. Holderman has struggled this season but someone has to close out games for them if they were to sell. Yerry De Los Santos is another option but he has less swing-and-miss stuff than Hodlerman.
Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.
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