March 16, 2023
Arizona Diamondbacks – Folks probably aren’t going to be coveting any Arizona relievers in any fantasy drafts this spring, especially when manager Torey Lovullo made it clear that he won’t be naming a closer. Lefty Andrew Chafin signed a one-year deal and has the ability to close. Mark Melancon is still around, and he’s certainly got plenty of ninth-inning experience, though he’s currently nursing an injury. 2022 All-Star Joe Mantiply is also back. One other name to watch is Scott McGough, who saved 38 games for the Yakult Swallows in Japan last year.
Starting 2023 hierarchy: *Chafin | Melancon | Mantiply.
* = closer-by-committee
Holds candidates: Melancon, Mantiply, McGough.
Colorado Rockies – Daniel Bard remains as the Rockies’ closer, but the rest of the bullpen is intriguing with newcomers Pierce Johnson and Brad Hand expected to be in the late-innings mix. Justin Lawrence is also someone that has a good chance to pitch in high-leverage spots. One name to keep an eye on is Tyler Kinley, who was having a terrific season in 2022 before suffering a season-ending injury. He is expected to return midseason.
Starting 2023 hierarchy: Bard | Johnson | Hand.
Holds candidates: Johnson, Hand, Lawrence, Brent Suter.
Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers head into 2023 without a designated closer, with Blake Treinen not expected to pitch this year and Daniel Hudson set to miss the early part of the season. Expect folks like Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol and Caleb Ferguson to be in the mix for saves, with Phillips likely having the slight edge on the group.
Starting 2023 hierarchy: *Phillips | Vesia | Graterol.
* = closer-by-committee
Holds candidates: Vesia, Graterol, Ferguson.
San Diego Padres – The Padres will begin the year with a stable corps of high-leverage relievers, led by closer Josh Hader and setup man Robert Suarez. Luis Garcia and Tim Hill will compete for the seventh-inning role, with Drew Pomeranz potentially factoring into late-inning plans one he returns from injury.
Starting 2023 hierarchy: Hader | Suarez | Garcia.
Holds candidates: Suarez, Garcia, Hill.
San Francisco Giants – The Giants enter 2023 with Camilo Doval as their closer after he recorded 27 saves a year ago. Behind him are the Rogers twins, Taylor and Tyler, as well as John Brebbia. Of note is that the Giants signed former Atlanta closer Luke Jackson, who will miss at least the first month while he finishes his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Jackson will likely compete for holds once he is healthy.
Starting 2023 hierarchy: Doval | Taylor Rogers | Brebbia.
Holds candidates: Taylor/Tyler Rogers, Brebbia.
