2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Closers

It's a love/hate thing. Closers are essential in most fantasy baseball leagues, yet the best closers in the game can go all post-midnight Cinderella in the blink of an eye, while the junky relievers you'd never think of drafting can go from forgotten waiver wire fodder to saves goldmine overnight. This is the position that makes you pull your hair […]

New York Yankees Interested in Johan Santana

The New York Yankees interest in the two-time Cy Young award winner is back. According to the New York Post, the Yankees were in attendance for Johan Santana's first appearance on a mound, pitching two scoreless innings in the Venezuelan Winter League on Tuesday night. He is looking to make a comeback from a torn […]

Athletics Flip Escobar to Nationals for Clippard

Only five days ago, Yunel Escobar was traded from the Rays to the Athletics along with Ben Zobrist. Now, Escobar is on the move again, this time to Washington, after Oakland general manager Billy Beane’s latest dealing. In a straight-up swap, the A’s have dealt Escobar to the Nationals for former All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard, […]

Edward Mujica (RP, BOS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues (if you need saves) ANALYSIS: With the Red Sox out of contention, Koji Uehara was shut down for the remainder of the season. Edward Mujica has stepped into the closer's role, making him the latest edition to our waiver wire sleepers list for saves. Tonight he nailed down his 4th save […]

Drew Storen (RP, WAS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues Owned in 6% of Fleaflicker, 38% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Rafael Soriano has been yanked from the closer's role in Washington, and Drew Storen has been pitching admirably as his replacement. Racking up three saves over the last 7 days, Storen is now making his way onto our waiver wire sleepers list […]

Mike Fiers (SP / RP, MIL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues Owned in 71% of Yahoo, 29% of Fleaflicker Leagues ANALYSIS: Not to say that Mike Fiers is really a sleeper anymore, seeing as he is owned in almost three out of every four leagues, but he is still under owned, given how he has pitched since returning to Milwaukee's rotation in early August. […]

Getting A Grip On Holds: Relief Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups

While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the players we highlight today feature some sleeper setup men and some relief pitchers looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds […]

Eric O'Flaherty (RP, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ANALYSIS: With the recent news that stud closer Sean Doolittle hit the DL, Eric O'Flaherty has stepped in as the Oakland closer and has made his way onto our waiver wire sleepers list for saves. Let's be honest here - there is no replacing Doolittle. He has been absolutely filthy this year. But […]

Getting A Grip On Holds: Relief Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups

While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the players we highlight today feature some sleeper setup men and some looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could […]

Getting A Grip On Holds: Relief Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups

While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the relief pitcher sleepers we highlight today feature some solid setup men and some looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely their team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be […]

Hector Rondon (RP, CHC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Most Mixed Leagues ANALYSIS: With 16 saves in 20 opportunities, Hector Rondon has emerged as a legitimate major league closer. The 26-year-old righty has  a 3.30 ERA over 46.1 innings pitched, striking out 49 in the process. He draws a remarkable 49.6% ground ball percentage and as a result, has only given […]

Getting A Grip On Holds: Relief Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups

While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the players we highlight today feature some sleeper setup men and some looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to become holds sleepers, and can […]

Jake McGee (RP, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ANALYSIS: Jake McGee is the new Sean Doolittle, and by that I mean he's the new "most dominant closer who also doesn't walk anyone, ever, for real".  Don't believe me?  Consider this: since taking over the closer role for the Rays on June 27th, McGee has pitched 17 innings, during which […]

Getting A Grip: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds

While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the players we highlight today feature some sleeper setup men and some looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds […]

Jake Petricka (RP, CWS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ANALYSIS: With the recent news that Zach Putnam has been placed on the DL earlier today, some more clarity has has been shed onto the White Sox bullpen situation. Jake Petricka should now have the opportunity to handle the closer duties all to himself, at least in the short term, making him […]

Neftali Feliz (RP, TEX) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately ANALYSIS: The closer carousel continues as Joakim Soria has been shipped to the Tigers to either close or setup for incumbent Joe Nathan, opening a spot at the backend of the Texas Rangers bullpen. Enter Neftali Feliz, who should walk right into that open spot and run with it all the way to the […]

Zach Putnam (RP, CHW) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ANALYSIS: It's clear the ChiSox have settled on Zach Putnam as their closer after notching back-to-back saves on July 18th and 19th.  If you own Petricka, you can safely cut him loose now, because despite Ventura's public statements that the closer role will be shared, it's looking more likely that Putnam […]

Joaquin Benoit (RP, SD) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately ANALYSIS: By now you've surely heard the most recent closer carousel news. Huston Street has been sent 90 minutes north and is closing for the Los Angeles Angels, and Joaquin Benoit has inherited the Padres 9th inning duties.  Benoit proved last year he can handle the closing reigns, racking up 24 saves for […]

Getting A Grip: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds

Fantasy Baseball Sleepers For Holds Leagues While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves is for closers, the relief pitchers we highlight today feature some sleeper setup men and some looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be […]

Jake McGee (RP, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE:  Add in Most Leagues ANALYSIS: The Tampa Bay Ray's bullpen has been manned by a number of relievers, but none have been as successful as Jake McGee. McGee seems to have been the closer in waiting for a couple of seasons, and now he's getting more of an opportunity, with 3 saves in […]

Getting A Grip: Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds (Week 15)

While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the players we highlight today feature some sleeper setup men and some looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could […]

Dellin Betances (RP, NYY) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Very Deep Leagues, All Keeper Leagues ANALYSIS: The Yankees' "Killer Bs" never amounted to anything as a starting pitching duo, but while Manny Banuelos has seen elbow trouble ruin his career, Dellin Betances has really come into his own as a set-up man. Standing at an intimidating 6' 8", Betances has […]

Brad Boxberger (RP, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Continue Scouting ANALYSIS: Brad Boxberger has been one of the Rays' more dominant relief pitchers in 2014. He's having a breakout season, pitching to a 2.87 ERA with a.93 WHIP and an impressive 48:12 K:BB ratio in just 31.1 IP. His filthy strikeout stuff is well suited to the closer role, but Boxberger, with just […]

Zach Putnam (RP, CWS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues (that value saves) ANALYSIS: With the news that Ronald Belisario was officially removed from the closer's role, Zach Putnam becomes the most recent addition to our list of saves sleepers to target off the waiver wire. While it hasn't been officially stated that Putnam is the new team closer, he looks like the favorite and is […]

Santiago Casilla (RP, SF) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ANALYSIS: With the recent news that the struggling Sergio Romo has been removed from the closer's role, Santiago Casilla becomes an immediate addition to our waiver wire sleepers list for saves. Bruce Bochy stated that Casilla and Jeremy Affeldt would form a committee, but we prefer Casilla is the better option […]

Joe Smith (RP, LAA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ANALYSIS: Since he came up in 2007, Smith has been a very reliable middle relief option for every team he has played on. In each of his final three seasons in Cleveland before signing with the Angels in 2014, he had a sub-3.00 ERA with 60+ IP. This year, he […]

MLB Closers and Saves Update for June 24th

After a much needed 2 week vacation, I’m back to help you with any bullpen questions you may have. We keep a close look on all the closers, saves and bullpen news and analysis twice a week so you can focus on the rest of your fantasy baseball teams.  Find all the information you need […]

Mark Melancon (RP, PIT) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately ANALYSIS: Racking up saves is 50% opportunity and 50% talent. Mark Melancon has always had the talent, and he's about to get his 2nd 2014 opportunity. After racking up 10 saves while Grilli landed on the DL, Melancon had been relegated to setup duties. All he did over his last 10 outings was throw 9.1 […]

Jake McGee (RP, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ANALYSIS:  Jake McGee is the de facto closer for the Rays.  He was favored to get the gig after Balfour's demotion, and while some may have forgotten because it took a week for the Rays to offer McGee a save opportunity, he is now a waiver wire option that should be added immediately. He has […]

Getting A Grip: Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds (Week 12)

While the holds statistic is hard to determine who will enter the game in the right situation, the sleepers noted today feature some overlooked relief pitchers and some looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely their team is to win, the more likely the following players will be eligible to earn the holds that […]