Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Blown Saves and Trades

Let’s jump right onto the closer carousel...

The Hurt Ones

• Drew Pomeranz
• Ken Giles

Last week saw Kirby Yates have a season ending injury. This week, Pomeranz is hurt. He suffered should tightness and has hit the IL because of it. It remains to be seen how long he will be out. Pick up Emilio Pagan (47% rostered).

The Safe Ones

• Josh Hader
• Kenley Jansen
• Liam Hendriks
• Aroldis Chapman
• Archie Bradley
• Alex Colome
• Raisel Iglesias

Liam Hendriks has been the best closer in fantasy to this point. He leads the league with nine saves.

The Mostly Safe

• Brad Hand
• Rafael Montero
• Daniel Hudson
• Brandon Kintzler
• Mark Melancon
• Ty Buttrey
• Emilio Pagan
• Ryan Pressly
• Giovanny Gallegos
• Trevor Rosenthal
• Taylor Williams

Well, I guess Giovanny Gallegos is the new closer for the Cardinals? Don't get me wrong, I love Gallegos. Let's just keep it this way, huh, St. Louis? Gallegos (72% rostered) should be owned everywhere.

Taylor Williams has entrenched himself in the ninth inning role for the Mariners. He has six saves on the year. Over 12 innings pitched he owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts.

Ty Buttrey (22% rostered) is the clear closer for the Angels. His ownership should be much higher.

The Committee Members

• Taylor Rogers
• Sergio Romo
• Anthony Bass
• Jordan Romano
• Rowan Wick
• Jeremy Jeffress
• Daniel Bard
• Carlos Estevez
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Trevor Gott
• Tony Watson
• Tyler Rogers

Taylor Rogers is the closer but the Twins win so often that Sergio Romo (40% rostered) will still get a few saves.

Romano (40% rostered) picked up two saves over the past week. The Blue Jays seem like they will use both him and Anthony Bass in the closer's role until Ken Giles is fully recovered.

Daniel Bard (6% rostered) is the arm to own for saves in Colorado.

With Nick Anderson on the IL, saves in Tampa Bay are going to be a fantasy owner’s nightmare. Hopefully Anderson can return soon. The Rays have 12 team saves recorded between nine different pitchers.

The Risky Business

• Edwin Diaz
• Brandon Workman
• Matt Barnes
• Cole Sulser
• Joe Jimenez
• Keone Kela

With Seth Lugo now in the rotation, I guess Edwin Diaz is back as the Mets closer. I can only think of $5.1 million reasons why the Mets would do this.

Closer trade! Brandon Workman is now the Phillies closer. Matt Barnes (28% rostered) takes over for the Red Sox. This should end well for everyone. *Sarcasm*

Joe Jimenez has been dreadful of late. He has given up seven runs on four hits while walking three over his last two appearances. Each time he was only able to get one out. Jose Cisnero (3% rostered) and Buck Farmer (2% rostered) would see save opportunities if the Tigers look elsewhere. The last save the Tigers bullpen recorded was Jimenez back on August 9th.

Kela (57% rostered) has been a bit banged up but should remain the Pirates closer when healthy. Until he gets traded...

The Next In Line

• James Karinchak
• Will Smith

Brad Hand has been solid but James Karinchak has been elite. Karinchak (44% rostered) has struck out more than half of the batters he's faced. No joke! 60 batters faced, 31 strikeouts. All of this with a 0.54 ERA and 0.66 WHIP. How is this real?!?!