Closer Monkey

Closer Monkey’s Leverage Ledger | 11.2.2025

Following the conclusion of the World Series, the quiet period of free agency begins. Teams and players have five days to decide how they will handle their contractual options for 2026. For relievers, there will be pivotal decisions, starting with two of the best closers from 2025 owning opt-outs of their current contracts.

Robert Suarez
Edwin Díaz

No one has recorded more saves than Suarez’s 76 since the start of 2024. It has been speculated that he will receive a four-year deal worth approximately $100 million, almost ensuring he will not return to San Diego. If this happens, then the biggest question for the team will be focused on Mason Miller, courtesy of AJ Casavell for MLB.com in this post:

As for Díaz, his market is also expected to be robust, potentially including a return to the Mets. If he leaves, almost the entire leverage ladder must be rebuilt by John Stearns, who has preferred not to overpay for a closer during his time with the Brewers.

Both Pete Fairbanks ($12 million) and Andrés Muñoz ($7 million) have team options in their respective contracts. Fairbanks can be a free agent at the end of 2026, which may land him on the trade block per Adam Berry of MLB.com:

After posting a career-best 38 saves, Muñoz will have his team option picked up, as he remains underpaid in comparison to his peers. Daniel Kramer, of MLB.com, believes Seattle should be aggressive in adding a veteran reliever to an already strong bullpen:

Other relievers with team or player option decisions due by November 7 at 5 p.m.:

Right Handed Relievers

Andrew Kittredge (CHC) – team option for $9 million
Pierce Johnson (ATL) – team option for $7 million
Tyler Kinley (ATL) – team option for $5 million
Paul Sewald (CLE) – mutual option for $10 million
Scott Barlow (CIN) – team option for $6.5 million
Jonathan Loáisiga (NYY) – team option for $5 million
Liam Hendriks (BOS) – mutual option for $12 million

Left-Handed Relievers

AJ Minter (NYM) – player option for $11 million
Brooks Raley (NYM) – team option for $4.8 million
José Alvarado (PHI) – team option for $9 million
Wandy Peralta (SD) – opt-in for $5.4 million
Tim Hill (NYY) – team option for $3 million
Brent Suter (CIN) – team option for $3 million
Alex Vesia (LAD) – team option for $3.6 million

Free Agent Closers

Switching gears to the relievers available as free agents, we begin with six who recorded at least 18 saves in 2025.

Emilio Pagán – Only four relievers secured more than his 32 saves in 2025. Per this column by Mark Sheldon for MLB.com, the closer is hoping for a reunion with the Reds:

Raisel Iglesias – From June 9 on, he was 1-1 while converting 21 of 22 save opportunities and even chipped in a hold. Across 43.1 innings, he recorded 48 strikeouts against ten walks (24.1 K-BB percentage) with a 0.693 WHIP. He lowered his ERA from 6.75 to 3.21 by the end of the season.

Kenley Jansen – Posted a 1.48 ERA with 13 saves after the All-Star break. He ended the season with 476 career saves, two away from tying Lee Smith for third-most all-time. In his last 36 outings, he had a 1.02 ERA (four earned runs across 35.1 innings).

Kyle Finnegan – He recorded 20 saves for Washington. Following his trade, he went 3-0 with a hold and four saves, giving up three hits and three walks while posting 19 strikeouts in his first 14.1 innings with Detroit. There’s mutual interest in a possible return to the Tigers this offseason.

Ryan Helsley – No reliever had his market value hurt by performance more than Helsley. He converted 21 of 26 saves with the Cardinals but struggled with tipping pitchers and his ratios after being traded to the Mets. He may need a one-year show-me deal for the upcoming season.

Devin Williams – Front offices must discern if the Milwaukee “Airbender” that produced a 1.83 ERA and a 1.023 WHIP with 68 saves across 235.2 innings, or the Yankees version, who owned a 4.79 ERA with a 1.129 WHIP and 18 saves through 62 innings, will be the one a team gets.

Notable Right-handed Set-up Relievers

Brad Keller
Phil Maton
Tyler Rogers
Seranthony Domínguez
Luke Weaver
Shawn Armstrong
Tommy Kahnle
Jakob Junis
Paul Blackburn
Ryne Stanek

Notable Left-handed Set-up Relievers

Taylor Rogers
Gregory Soto
Caleb Ferguson
Sean Newcomb
Andrew Chafin
Danny Coulombe
Jalen Beeks

Our bullpen hierarchies have been updated, although they will remain fluid until the options and opt-outs are finalized in the coming days.

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Closer Monkey’s Leverage Ledger | 10.21.2025

Beginning our end of the season recaps lands on Fantasy Pros preseason ADP as a guide for how fantasy players did targeting relievers. For our purposes, I am using 12-team leagues as the standard. Since 2023, here are the reliever trends in the site’s amalgamated average draft position rankings in five-round pockets:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/gECTn/1/

Adding in sites like Yahoo and ESPN depress how many relievers are taken in the first five rounds where the “never pay for saves” credo has more credence. How did the closers fare in these pockets?

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/c3o5z/1/

Identifying trends can help fantasy managers prepare for the future, which leads us into how the relievers taken in each five round pocket fared.

Rounds 1 – 5 (Picks 1-60)

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/fcVCA/1/

Things did not go as planned for the top two relievers taken across the five sites Fantasy Pros tracks. Emmanuel Clase was showing signs of regression before his season was cut short by an MLB suspension, which may prevent a return.

Things began positively for Devin Williams. He was traded for by the Yankees and the team dropped it’s facial hair policy for the “Airbender.” However, he struggled during early save situations, eventually losing the ninth inning to David Bednar.

An average of 21 saves by the top two relievers was not what fantasy managers were seeking at this price point.

Rounds 6 – 10 (Picks 61-120)

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/fWo06/2/

This group averaged more saves and provided better ratios than the top tier. If Félix Bautista did not suffer a season ending injury and Mason Miller was not traded, this pocket would have averaged 30 or more saves as a group.

But, Josh Hader also ended the season on the injured list and was not going to be ready for the Wild Card round of the playoffs if Houston qualified. Ryan Helsley cratered with the Mets and he and Raisel Iglesias will be free agents.

Overall, this was a preferred spot for teams to take their first closer in 2025. Expect Andrés Muñoz and Jhoan Duran to move up at least a tier in 2026.

Rounds 11 – 15 (Picks 121-180)

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/JmbI5/1/

Ryan Walker could not build off his strong finish in 2024, losing the closer role for part of the season, then recapturing it after the trade deadline. His rollercoaster season makes it tough betting on him as the saves leader for the Giants in 2026.

Robert Suarez proved all the doubters wrong, racking up 40 saves with eyes on opting into free agency. Add Trevor Megill also silenced his critics with 30 saves, though his season was cut short via injury.

Both Tanner Scott and Jeff Hoffman had sporadic seasons, but Hoffman posted 33 saves. All in all, this pocket also performed well in terms of saves, though Suarez, Hoffman, and Megill offset Walker and Scott’s save totals.

Rounds 16-20 (Picks 181-240)

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/WC3Qv/1/

Those who faded Alexis Díaz were vindicated by this decision. His second half struggles did not subside during spring training and resulted in his spending most of 2025 in the minors. Pete Fairbanks, David Bednar, and Kenley Jansen all returned value based on their ADP.

However, the big winner in this pocket was Carlos Estévez, the major league leader in saves this season. Even during preseason podcasts, people preferred Lucas Erceg, which is reflected in their ADP.

Díaz was not the only bust in this pocket; Jordan Romano and Ryan Pressly reached the closer cliff. It’s tough predicting when age affects a reliever’s results, but these two were not worthy of their preseason price points.

Rounds 21 – 25 (Picks 241-300)

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/BNHSS/1/

Although Kyle Finnegan remained a late-round favorite, Aroldis Chapman was the league winner in this ADP pocket. The remaining relievers in this chart illustrate the volatility of waiting too long on filers in 12-team leagues.

If you would like to see the specific ADP from Fantasy Pros, please use this LINK.

As for the Top 25 relievers using SGP (standard gains points) for 2025:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/PnSnz/2/

Only Emilio Pagán surpassed 30 saves as a free agent pickup in most leagues. Cade Smith thrived after his teammate was suspended. Both Will Vest and Dennis Santana performed well as their team’s preferred save share when given the chance despite being undrafted in most preseason leagues.

In the next 25, there are some interesting results since saves are not the only thing driving a reliever’s value in standard leagues:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/89OJg/1/

This wraps up our first recap of the 2025 season.

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Closer Monkey’s Leverage Ledger | 10.11

It all began when the Dodgers began using Roki Sasaki in one-inning outings at Triple-A before placing him into the bullpen near the end of the season. He has thrived as a reliever, which may not be his role entering 2026, but he has adjusted his mechanics with terrific results.

Through four postseason appearances, he’s allowed one baserunner, a one-out double by Max Kepler during a save in the first game of the National League Divisional series. Otherwise, he has retired 16 of 17 batters faced (a 0.189 WHIP) across 5.1 innings with a 75 percent strike rate and five strikeouts (29.4 K%), producing an 18.3 swinging strike percentage.

As Houston Mitchell of the Los Angeles Times noted in his weekly newsletter to subscribers, only three relievers have pitched with a lead during the playoffs:

This coincides with Tanner Scott being unavailable until the World Series if Los Angeles advances:

It seems like there will be fewer instances of the Dodgers using relievers against different hitter lanes if they are relying on Sasaki as their preferred option closing out contests:

In the interim, Sasaki will continue his reprised role, and the team will hope he carries over the momentum to starting games in 2026.

MLB.com beat writers published a slew of updates with five things facing teams heading into the offseason, plus some notes from other sites by team with free agency beginning the day after the World Series concludes.

Leverage Ledger

Arizona Diamondbacks – Steve Gilbert provided a potential timeline for returns by A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez in his questions heading into the offseason post:

Arizona set an MLB record with 17 different pitchers recording at least one save in 2025. The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers finished a distant second, with 12 pitchers recording at least a save during the regular season. Who the team adds may determine what roles the relievers returning from Tommy John surgery fill.

Cincinnati Reds – After reaching the playoffs, can the team return in 2026? There will be questions about how payroll will affect roster construction per Mark Sheldon, especially for the bullpen:

This could make Tony Santillan an early option at closer if the team does not re-sign Emilio Pagán. Also, keep tabs on Connor Phillips. He recorded 19 strikeouts versus five walks (26.9 K-BB%) over his last 12 appearances, spanning 14.1 innings, with a 0.56 WHIP, a 16.2 swinging strike percentage, and a 60.2 percent contact rate allowed.

Los Angeles Angels – How the team handles the bullpen, and specifically the closer, may be determined by the new manager. However, Kenley Jansen finished strong and is open to returning to the team:

Stay tuned.

Minnesota Twins – Having already moved on from Rocco Baldelli as the manager, could the team’s second half provide insight on how fantasy managers should handle the bullpen? In 66 games after the All-Star break, the team won 23 games with nine saves by seven different relievers, which is less than optimal. Here is the note from Matthew Leach in his top questions facing the Twins this winter:

A name to track about his potential future role, David Festa: he could take the Jhoan Duran path to the majors as a reliever.

New York Mets – Representing one of the bullpens with the most potential for a high turnover rate, encapsulated perfectly by Anthony DiComo for MLB.com:

Alex Smith of SNY provided this update about Dylan Ross, who could be a popular 50th-round pick in early Draft Champions contests.

New York Yankees – It’s easier said than done, but here is a note from The Athletic by Chris Kirschner:

Every team craves relievers with high velocity that command their pitches; it’s why relievers command better salaries on contending teams. As a reminder, this free agent class is not as deep as years past. New York may have to trade or convert a starting pitching prospect into a reliever. And getting a former closer may not be a bad idea in case David Bednar has inconsistent outings like previous seasons.

Texas Rangers – Kennedi Landry addressed a question many have for Skip Schumaker this season: the team’s bullpen.

Texas was tied for second in blown saves, though these were not necessarily all in the ninth inning, with only the Angels (34) having more in 2025. This team could go in many directions in the future, especially in 2026, making it one of the most intriguing situations to monitor this winter.

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2025 Tout Wars Summary | OBP/IP/SOLDS

It’s an honor to be part of the Tout Wars community. After competing in the Head-to-Head auction league since 2021 and being the league champion in 2023, I switched to the online 15-team live draft this year. There are caveats in this league that intrigued me. It uses on-base percentage instead of batting average, innings pitched rather than wins, and SOLDS in the place of saves. As a relief pitcher expert, participating in a league with SOLDS enhances my content, which is why I made the change.

Many of the experts in this league were returning from the previous season, making things challenging since I was not sure how players, especially relievers, would be valued in this format. For the online draft, each expert chose their draft spot in order of their respective finish in the previous season. The first-place team had the first choice of draft position, and I secured the fifth spot based on qualifying for the playoffs in the head-to-head league in 2024, and I chose the fifth spot in the draft, near the middle, which can work well.

With the format using on-base percentage, I had Aaron Judge and José Ramírez as my preferred options, and Cleveland’s talented third baseman was available, making him my first pick in this league. He was also on my first head-to-head team in 2021. I was shocked to see so many hitters being taken, and with my pick approaching in the second round, Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes remained on the board. There was not a bad choice in this format since wins were not part of the equation, and I went with Skubal, putting two NFBC first round picks on my Tout squad.

This helped mitigate some rookie mistakes in the draft, such as passing on Kyle Schwarber for Brent Rooker at utility. However, a solid base of hitters was amassed, which will be illustrated shortly. As for relievers, they drifted, as they should, because SOLDS should make the most talented and productive relievers more available. I reached for Griffin Jax when closers began to be taken. My background covering relievers makes it easier to let them drift in this type of format and as you can see, I only accrued five points in SOLDS from my drafted roster:

In fact, SOLDS and on-base percentage were my two weak points based on this summary. Sparing all of us from victory laps, because I made mistakes throughout the season, the focal point should be about the format and planning for success in leagues with SOLDS moving forward.

During the three seasons preceding 2025, here are the Main Event averages for relievers (saves) from the top-25 teams in the overall competition as a baseline:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/NeMDA/1/

In a 15-team league with weekly free agent acquisitions (FAAB), one needs around 67 saves to finish in the top 25 in this format. Not all teams are built the same, but it provides insight into how they handle this category.

As for MLB teams, here are recent trends from the previous three years:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/J9RAU/1/

How does this same chart look for SOLDS? I am happy you asked:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7xb7w/1/

As Ron Burgundy would say, things escalated quickly. Fantasy players in this format are not concerned about who may get the next save for the Marlins or White Sox. They can focus on the best relievers on the best teams based on the spike in volume that saves-plus-holds provide. Here are the top-10 teams by SOLDS from 2025, nine were teams with a winning percentage greater than five hundred:

Team	W	L	Win%	Saves	Holds	SOLDS
LAD	93	69	.574	46	124	170
CLE	88	74	.543	47	111	158
CHC	92	70	.568	44	109	153
SDP	90	72	.556	49	103	152
MIL	97	65	.599	45	105	150
CIN	83	79	.512	41	104	145
NYY	94	68	.580	43	100	143
BAL	75	87	.463	38	105	143
NYM	83	79	.512	40	100	140
TOR	94	68	.580	42	95	137

Relievers can be an asset in SOLDS leagues based on usage patterns, not solely reliant on a team’s win percentage. Here are the relievers with at least 30 SOLDS from 2025:

Name	Saves	Holds	SOLDS
Abner Uribe	7	37	44
Carlos Estévez	42	0	42
Robert Suarez	40	0	40
Tony Santillan	7	33	40
Andrés Muñoz	38	0	38
Hunter Gaddis	3	35	38
Aroldis Chapman	32	4	36
Cade Smith	16	19	35
Emilio Pagán	32	2	34
Jeff Hoffman	33	0	33
Jhoan Duran	32	1	33
Devin Williams	18	15	33
Ronny Henriquez	7	26	33
Jeremiah Estrada	3	30	33
Mason Miller	22	10	32
Jose A. Ferrer	11	21	32
JoJo Romero	8	24	32
Bryan Abreu	7	25	32
Tyler Rogers	0	32	32
Raisel Iglesias	29	2	31
David Bednar	27	4	31
Tanner Scott	23	8	31
Brendon Little	1	30	31
Trevor Megill	30	0	30
Alex Vesia	5	25	30

As the season progressed, I added Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagán from this group. Will Vest just missed, but was also a source of SOLDS from the waiver wire. Jose A. Ferrer was a late-season stream option, but was benched for the last week of the season. I also picked up Brad Keller for September’s stretch run, helping my team finish fourth in SOLDS, a net gain of six standings points in the category:

Sometimes, you have to burn and churn your way up the standings, and for SOLDS, I was able to accomplish this feat, which will be noted for next year.

However, as my team entered contention, some tough roster decisions were made on a weekly basis. Ryan Boyer jumped out to a commanding lead, but my team was able to creep closer in the standings, eventually taking the lead in mid-September. There was a logjam in the innings category, so I couldn’t deploy more relievers to protect the ratios; I had to keep seven starters in the active lineup. This was made easier by a mid-season free agency addition of Trevor Rogers for $36.

Additionally, having no injured list cap allowed Yu Darvish and Shane Bieber to be protected from the live draft for use down the stretch. My biggest mistake was Trevor Story. After having him active through a rough patch, I gave up on him and dropped him, before his tremendous finish to the season. If I finished second in the league, this would have haunted me.

At the end of the season, my roster spots were filled as such:

Catcher

Drake Baldwin and Gabriel Moreno (both added via free agency pick-ups)
J.T. Realmuto on the bench (he was drafted)

Corner Infielders

Vinnie Pasquantino and Pete Alonso at 1B and CI (both were drafted)
José Ramírez at 3B (draft)
Yandy Díaz at utlity (acquired via trade)

Middle Infielders

Brandon Lowe at 2B (drafted)
Colson Montgomery at SS (added via free agency)
Xander Bogaerts at MI (drafted)

Outfield

Brent Rooker (drafted)
Dominic Canzone, Gavin Sheets, Daylen Lile, and Will Benson (all added via free agency)

Starting Pitcher

Tarik Skubal, Logan Webb, Tanner Bibee, Ryan Pepiot, Yu Darvish, Shane Bieber (all drafted)
Trevor Rogers (added via free agency)

Relief Pitcher

Emilio Pagán, Brad Keller, Will Vest, Jose A. Ferrer (all added via free agency)

It was a learning experience, and I need to improve my targeting of on-base percentage players in 2026. However, the league was entertaining and represents my second Tout Wars title since 2021. Thanks for reading and here’s hoping for more success in the years to come.

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Under the Hood | 2025 2H vs. 1H Gainers in K-BB% and SwStr%

This process can be challenging due to the sample size, but adjustments or breakouts do occur after the All-Star break. Our first segment features qualified relievers with the highest gains by percentage points in K-BB and swinging strike rate. There will be some overlap between relievers who appear on both lists, but relievers of interest for 2026 will be highlighted in each category.

K-BB% Gainers

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/gqfG6/1/

Relievers of Interest

Jordan Leasure (CHW)

2H Results: 3-1 record, five saves in six opportunities, five holds, 30.1 IP, 41:9 K:BB, 0.792 WHIP
Notable: Allowed 15 hits in the second half; six were home runs.

Unlike many on the list, there were no discernible changes in arsenal or approach. However, his splits by month and half-season illustrate that he improved his strike percentage after the All-Star break, which enhances his results:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/df5Lt/1/

Carrying over these gains and his role will determine his fantasy impact in 2026.

Pete Fairbanks (TB)

2H Results: 0-2 record, 12 saves in 14 save opportunities, 24.1 IP, 28:3 K:BB, 0.905 WHIP
Notable: Allowed 19 hits in the second half; six were home runs.

Remaining healthy for a full season represents a win for those who took him as a fallback option at closer this season. His second half provides mixed results and may make him too costly for the Rays since his incentives will drive his team option for 2026 over $11 million. For our purposes, his splits by month and half-season:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/L9Xpf/1/

He could surprise the fantasy community once again, but if he’s traded, destination and role will determine how many saves he will accrue. I do not plan on paying to find out for next season.

Kyle Finnegan (WSH/DET)

2H Results: 3-1 record, six saves in seven opportunities, 22.1 IP, 28:6 K:BB, 0.987 WHIP
Notable: Will he retain the pitch mix tweak from the Tigers?

During the preseason, I did a deep dive on Finnegan which concluded he should be throwing more four-seam fastballs in the upper-third of the strike zone.

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/BEovM/2/

With this in mind, his usage patterns shifted after being traded to Detroit:

More importantly, he threw more elevated four-seam fastballs from August forward:

Which paired well with his split-fingered fastball locations, attacking hitters at the top and the bottom of the strike zone:

Which resulted in much improved results with the Tigers:

Link:https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/AmYva/2/

Fantasy managers must determine if this was a hot stretch or an alteration which will be maintained next season. As a free agent, he represents a potential bridge option as the closer until a replacement becomes available.

Brad Keller (CHC)

2H Results: 1-1 record, 3 saves and 11 holds, 27.2 IP, 35:8 K:BB, 0.578 WHIP
Notable: Was scoreless in 27 of 28 appearances following the All-Star break, allowing one earned run on a solo home run.

A former starting pitcher, Keller effectively transitioned to relieving in the second half, utilizing five different pitches. His improvement lay in attacking the strike zone more frequently (64.1 strike percentage), resulting in a 12.1 percent swinging strike rate. This chart displays how he attacks hitters by handedness:

Getting this template honed unlocked his second-half results and sets him up for a potential payday. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Cubs and will be a free agent at the end of the postseason.

Mason Miller (ATH/SD)

2H Results: Three saves in four save opportunities, 10 holds, 26 IP, 47:11 K:BB, 0.692 WHIP
Notable: Finished the regular season on a 20-game scoreless streak, spanning 21.1 innings.

For starters, he threw more sliders than fastballs after joining the Padres:

It was a slow process, but fueled his strong finish, highlighted above. Here were his splits by pitch with San Diego:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ilmK1/1/

He is a dominant force during high-leverage events and if Robert Suarez invokes his opt-out and Miller does not get stretched out for a rotation spot next spring, Miller will be the first reliever taken in most drafts.

Jhoan Duran (MIN/PHI)

2H Results: 2-2 record, 17 saves in 20 opportunities, 26.2 IP, 31:3 K:BB, 1.049 WHIP
Notable: Notched 16 of these saves with the Phillies.

If Miller is the first reliever taken, Duran will not be far behind. An improved team concept and a secure role in the ninth inning will put an end to the team’s “floating closer” concept from years past. There were slight tweaks in his pitch usage after joining the Phillies:

Here are his pitch splits by team this season:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/WF8Kz/1/

With health, 40 saves and 90-plus strikeouts could be in store next year.

SwStr% Gainers

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/d35fE/1/

Relievers of Interest

Garrett Whitlock (BOS)

2H Results: 2-2, 13 holds, 26.2 IP, 34:5 K:BB, 0.899 WHIIP
Notable: Ended 2025 on a 13-game scoreless streak, during which he recorded 22 strikeouts versus two walks across 14.1 innings.

As the year progressed, Whitlock’s outings became more streamlined. He recorded more than three outs in 14 contests during the first half, but only worked extended outings in four games after the All-Star break. This helped his whiff rates rise, along with slight adjustments to his arsenal:

He ramped up his change-up during the second half, yielding the following splits by half-season:

Second Half 2025

Sinker: 46.2 percent usage, 20.7 swinging strike percentage, 33.6 percent whiff rate
Slider: 36.3 percent usage, 21.2 swinging strike percentage, 36.2 percent whiff rate
Change-up: 21.2 percent usage, 21.3 swinging strike percentage, 32.7 percent whiff rate

First Half 2025

Sinker: 47.6 percent usage, 14.4 swinging strike percentage, 29.6 percent whiff rate
Slider: 26.4 percent usage, 17.9 swinging strike percentage, 38 percent whiff rate
Change-up: 20.7 percent usage, 16.9 swinging strike percentage, 30.8 percent whiff rate

Plan on his second half patterns persisting in the postseason and next year. He remains a alluring target for those in SOLDS formats or draft and hold leagues.

Devin Williams (NYY)

2H Results: 1-3 record, five saves in eight opportunities, eighth holds, 26.2 IP, 44:11 K:BB, 1.161 WHIP
Notable: Finished the regular season on a nine-game scoreless streak, recording 12 strikeouts verus two walks while posting a 0.556 WHIP.

There will not be a varied arsenal chart for the reliever, though Statcast did credit him with two cutters during the second half. I found this video by Trevor May very interesting about Williams, which may be a key toward a bounce back in 2026. Where he signs will directly impact his fantasy status coming off a down year.

For our purposes, his splits by half-season:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/cyjIx/1/

Through 241 appearances with the Brewers, he owned a 1.023 WHIP with 375 strikeouts versus 112 walks across 235.2 innings. Steamer will foretell a rebound, if he’s near these numbers, 30-plus saves could be in the offing, but it’s highly unlikely he will be back with the Yankees.

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National League Closer Preview | 2026

Understanding this process does not guarantee a pitcher being his team’s closer next year. This post will assess the potential candidates after players can enter free agency, which helps set the stage for which relievers may be at the top of their hierarchy on Opening Day. It will include pending free agents and relievers with options once the World Series transpires.

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Arizona Diamondbacks

Pending Free Agent: Jalen Beeks
Projected 2026 Closer: TBD
Watch List: Brandyn Garcia

In the preseason, fantasy managers wrestled between Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk as the closer, then both landed on the injured list, cutting their seasons short. Shelby Miller emerged as the preferred option in the ninth, until he suffered an injury and was traded to Milwaukee.

Following this, chaos ensued, and Arizona has set an MLB record with 17 different pitchers recording a save this season. Next year’s saves leader is not on the current roster.

Atlanta Braves

Pending Free Agent: Raisel Iglesias
Reliever with an option: Pierce Johnson (Club for $7 million), Tyler Kinley (Club for $5 million)
Projected 2026 Closer: Joe Jiménez

As currently constructed, it’s easy to forget Jiménez went 1-5 with three saves, 82 strikeouts, a 2.62 ERA, and a 0.99 WHIP through 69 games, spanning 68.2 innings in 2024. His 27 holds were tied for fourth in the National League.

Chicago Cubs

Pending Free Agents: Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, Drew Pomeranz
Reliever with an option: Andrew Kittredge (Club for $9 million)
Projected 2026 Closer: Daniel Palencia
Watch List: Matthew Peters

Once again, shoulder issues can be problematic, and repeating his breakout season in 2026 may be difficult for Palencia. At this time last year, fantasy players were coronating Porter Hodge as the closer of the future. If things go awry for Palencia, it will be contact issues:

If Palencia struggles early on or is sidelined with recurring shoulder issues, Ben Brown could emerge as a force during high-leverage events. Stay tuned.

Cincinnati Reds

Pending Free Agent: Emilio Pagán
Relievers with options: Brent Suter (Club for $3 million), Scott Barlow (Club for $5 million)
Projected 2026 Closer: Tony Santillan
Watch List: Zach Maxwell

The team and Terry Francona may be loyal and bring back Pagán. Still, if he signs elsewhere, Santillan has proven he’s capable in the ninth inning, converting seven saves through September 22 while posting a 1.118 WHIP with 72 strikeouts versus 28 walks across 70.2 innings. Those in keeper leagues will track how Maxwell gets used early in the season, but his command must improve if he’s going to emerge as a trusted high-leverage option.

Colorado Rockies

No pending free agents or relievers with options on the 2025 roster
Projected 2026 Closer: Victor Vodnik
Watch List: Welinton Herrera (AFL)

Spring battles for the closer role featured Seth Halvorsen, Victor Vodnik, and Tyler Kinley. It changed hands throughout the season, with Vodnik finishing the season as the closer, setting him up for a return to the role in 2026. This bullpen has some velocity and potential upside, but command and ratios remain hurdles, particularly given the ballpark.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pending Free Agent: Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech
Reliever with an option: Alex Vesia (Club for $3.6 million)
Projected Closer for 2026: Tanner Scott

A leverage ladder in flux, plan on a rebound in 2026 for Tanner Scott. Rosi Sasaki may be used as a reliever in the playoffs, but should return to the rotation next season. Bobby Miller could be a full-time reliever next year, and may emerge as the right-handed complement to Scott, though Edgardo Henriquez has been sneakily effective in the second half.

Miami Marlins

No pending free agents or relievers with options on the 2025 roster
Projected Closer for 2026: TBD

During his first year as manager, Clayton McCullough focuses more on match-ups leading to the ninth inning, rather than reserving a closer for the ninth. It was frustrating from both a writer’s and a fantasy player’s perspective. Ronny Henriquez could get more save opportunities in 2026, but he was deployed against an opponent’s toughest lineup pockets this past year.

Milwaukee Brewers

Pending Free Agent: Shelby Miller
Projected Closer for 2026: Trevor Megill
Watch List: Craig Yoho

Even if Megill does not make another appearance in the regular season, he has already set career highs in saves (30), but will miss in innings by one-third (46). He has proven capable of being a closer, but can he remain healthy for a full season? If not, Abner Uribe will be a popular skills-over-role target for many in next year’s drafts.

New York Mets

Pending Free Agents: Ryan Helsley, Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers, Ryne Stanek
Opt-out: Edwin Díaz ($15.5 million offer)
Relievers with options: Brooks Raley (Club for $4.8 million), Drew Smith (Club for $2 million)
Projected Closer for 2026: TBD
Watch List: Ryan Lambert

Cue the Jeopardy music for Edwin Díaz because the trumpets do not need to return. He can opt out of his current contract and enter free agency for one more big payday, which increases in probability if the team misses the playoffs. If he leaves, an overhaul of the bullpen will be required, placing pressure squarely on the front office.

Philadelphia Phillies

Pending Free Agents: David Robertson; Jordan Romano, Tim Mayza, Walker Buehler
Reliever with an option: José Alvarado (Club for $9 million)
Projected Closer for 2026: Jhoan Duran

Acquiring Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline has rendered the “floating closer” concept useless. He has converted 15 of 17 save chances since joining the Phillies and stabilized the bullpen. He will be one of, if not the, first reliever taken in drafts next year.

Pittsburgh Pirates

No pending free agents or relievers with options on the 2025 roster
Projected Closer for 2026: Dennis Santana
Watch List: Brandon Bidois

How this franchise handles the off-season may be telling, and affect how Paul Skenes views his future with it. Teams do not like hearing about windows of opportunity, but with the cache of starting pitchers arriving, the Pirates must bolster their bullpen to maximize its strength. Santana may open the year as the closer, but signing someone like Devin Williams to a show-me deal like Aroldis Chapman signed in 2024 could be beneficial.

San Diego Padres

Opt-outs: Robert Suarez ($8 million offer), Wandy Peralta ($4.8 million offer)
Projected Closer for 2026: Mason Miller

Another team with more ifs than answers. Robert Suarez should turn down his standing offer of $8 million and enter free agency. He may return, but if he leaves, Mason Miller would be the closer in waiting. However, he could also follow the paths blazed by Seth Lugo and Michael King and be stretched out as a starter. If this happens, Jeremiah Estrada would likely assume a more significant leverage role.

San Francisco Giants

Pending Free Agent: Joey Lucchesi
Projected Closer for 2026: Ryan Walker

After opening the season as the closer, Walker ceded the role to Camilo Doval, then resurfaced after the trade deadline, securing six saves in seven chances through September 22. Could the team sign a free agent at closer and put Walker back into a setup capacity? Absolutely. This makes San Francisco an interesting bullpen to monitor this winter.

St. Louis Cardinals

No pending free agents or relievers with options on the 2025 roster
Projected Closer for 2026: Riley O’Brien
Watch List: Chen-Wei Lin

It is worth noting that Ryan Helsley preferred not to be traded and could return to the team on a free-agent deal, which would shift O’Brien into a setup role alongside JoJo Romero. But if the team prefers spending money elsewhere, O’Brien gets a boost from a fantasy standpoint.

Washington Nationals

Pending Free Agent: Derek Law
Projected Closer for 2026: Jose A. Ferrer

Who manages the Nationals and the team’s approach to free agency this winter will determine who leads the team in saves next year. If Miguel Cairo sheds the interim label and is named manager, Ferrer’s stock takes a slight hit:

Monitor who gets hired and what relievers Washington signs this off-season; it will impact how saves get distributed in 2026.

Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.

Statistical Credits:

American League Closer Preview | 2026

Understanding this process does not guarantee that a pitcher will be his team’s closer next year. This post will assess the potential candidates after players can enter free agency, which helps set the stage for which relievers may be at the top of their hierarchy on Opening Day. It will include pending free agents and relievers with options once the World Series transpires.

As the season winds down, tips help offset costs. If we have helped out, please return the favor. If you would like to leave a tip, please use this link for PayPal. Venmo can be sent to @gjewett9.

Baltimore Orioles

No pending free agents or relievers with options on the 2025 roster
Projected 2026 Closer: Not on the current roster

This season has been disappointing for the Orioles, and if the team plans to contend, it will need to restock its bullpen. Félix Bautista suffered a significant shoulder injury and will miss a large portion of the upcoming season. The team could opt for a veteran with closer experience on a one-year deal as a bridge to Bautista’s eventual return, which makes sense. Adding a reliable right-handed set-up reliever should also be a priority for 2026.

Boston Red Sox

Pending free agent: Justin Wilson
Reliever with an option: Liam Hendriks (Mutual for $12 million)
Projected 2026 Closer: Aroldis Chapman

Removing speculation about next year, the team extended Aroldis Chapman. There will be games he’s deployed against an opponent’s best hitting pocket if it contains a left-handed hitter, but through games played on September 21, he has recorded 31 of his team’s 43 saves.

Chicago White Sox

Pending free agent: Tyler Alexander
Projected 2026 Closer: Jordan Leasure
Watch List: Peyton Pallette

In the team’s first 156 games, eight different relievers have recorded 24 saves under first-year manager Will Venable. Only two (Jordan Leasure and Grant Taylor) have posted at least five. Usage patterns have remained unpredictable throughout the season, making it challenging to designate anyone a closer under his guidance. There is also a chance Taylor could be stretched out for a spot in the rotation next year, similar to how the franchise has developed Chris Sale and Garrett Crochet in the past. Amid a rebuild, paying top dollar for a closer does not fit the team’s modus operandi.

As for Leasure, he has recorded a win, three saves, and two holds while posting a 0.364 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against two walks across 11 scoreless frames. Can he build on this momentum next year?

Cleveland Guardians

Pending free agent: Jakob Junis
Projected 2026 Closer: Cade Smith

It has not all been smooth sailing for Cade Smith since taking over as the closer. However, he has recorded triple-digit strikeouts in each of the last two seasons and converted 12 of 15 saves since August 4. Entering the off-season, planning on Emmanuel Clase not pitching again in the majors remains a possibility. If he does get cleared for a return, it is likely to be with a different franchise.

Detroit Tigers

Pending free agents: Kyle Finnegan, Tommy Kahnle, Rafael Montero
Reliever with an option: Paul Sewald (Mutual for $10 million)
Projected 2026 Closer: TBD

Prefacing this with A.J. Hinch’s preference for not labeling his relievers as closers, the Tigers would be better off pushing all their chips in this winter and reinforcing the bullpen. Continued half-measures in free agency and churning through veterans in hopes of rebounds have not worked. Could Finnegan return on a team-friendly deal below market value at closer? Absolutely. But more must be done in the team’s evaporating “Skubal window.”

Houston Astros

No pending free agents or relievers with options on the 2025 roster
Projected 2026 Closer: Josh Hader
Watch List: Brett Gillis

Not only did Josh Hader rebound in 2025, but he was also elite until a shoulder issue sidelined him on August 15. Shoulder injuries can be scary, which makes him a reliever fantasy managers will monitor closely this winter. If you are risk-averse, he may not be on your radar for 2026. It also may make Bryan Abreu a must-handcuff or sneaky late-round target.

Kansas City Royals

Pending Free Agent: Hunter Harvey
Projected 2026 Closer: Carlos Estévez
Watch List: Dennis Colleran

Exceeding anyone’s expectations with his first 40-save campaign, Carlos Estévez will return as the closer in 2026. This year, he was a value in the preseason; next year, fantasy players will pay full price for his save total, making him riskier from a price point perspective.

Los Angeles Angels

Pending Free Agents: Kenley Jansen, Andrew Chafin, Luis García
Projected 2026 Closer: TBD
Watch List: Najer Victor

A reunion of Kenley Jansen and the Angels feels inevitable as he pursues 500 career saves. This lets Ben Joyce and Robert Stephenson return to full health without the pressure of being the closer.

Minnesota Twins

No pending free agents
Reliever with an option: Justin Topa (Club for $2 million)
Projected 2026 Closer: David Festa

Remember when Jhoan Duran was an oft-injured starting pitcher prospect who remained healthy and thrived as a reliever? In 25 career major league appearances, David Festa‘s splits by these two pitches:

Change-up: 28 K-BB%, .268 weighted on-base average (wOBA), 20.4 SwStr%
Slider: 22.3 K-BB%, .266 weighted on-base average (wOBA), 14.4 SwStr%

Health and his eventual role will determine how prescient this will be, but crazier things have happened.

New York Yankees

Pending Free Agents: Devin Williams, Luke Weaver
Relievers with options: Jonathan Loáisiga (Club for $5 million), Tim Hill (Club for $3 million)
Projected 2026 Closer: David Bednar

Since his acquisition, David Bednar has converted eight of 11 save opportunities with 14 games finished of 19 appearances, spanning 21.2 innings. He has posted a 0.923 WHIP with 30 strikeouts against seven walks (27.1 K-BB%) and a 15.5 swinging strike percentage.

Seattle Mariners

Pending Free Agent: Caleb Ferguson
Reliever with an option: Andrés Muñoz (Club for $6 million)
Projected 2026 Closer: Andrés Muñoz

Faced with a decision even a caveman can handle, the Mariners will trigger their option to retain Muñoz. Once again, the team should target veterans capable of setting up for him, but they do well making the most of their bullpen options.

Tampa Bay Rays

No pending free agents
Reliever with an option: Pete Fairbanks (Club for $11 million)
Projected 2026 Closer: TBD

Hitting his contract bonuses this season, Fairbanks has raised his potential salary from $7 million to over $11 million by virtue of his career highs in innings (58.1) and saves (27). But if the team picks up his option, which goes against how the Rays construct a bullpen, Fairbanks will be a free agent at the end of 2026. He’s a likely candidate for a trade before the season begins.

If this happens, and Griffin Jax does not enter the rotation, he’s my pick for closer next year. However, if Jax is stretched out as a starter, our preference shifts to Edwin Uceta, although it could revert to a matchup-based bullpen.

Texas Rangers

Pending Free Agents: Shawn Armstrong, Phil Maton, Chris Martin, Hoby Milner, Danny Coulombe
Projected 2026 Closer: TBD
Watch List: Eric Loomis

A massive roster overhaul looms for this franchise. Can Emiliano Teodo and Marc Church step up while remaining healthy next year? Will Josh Sborz return? Will they bring in a veteran on an incentive-based deal? From a fantasy perspective, does it matter?

The Athletics

Pending Free Agent: Sean Newcomb, José Leclerc
Projected 2026 Closer: TBD

Since trading Mason Miller, five different relievers have combined for ten saves in a match-up-based approach by Mark Kotsay. Next year’s preferred save share is not on the roster.

Toronto Blue Jays

Pending Free Agent: Seranthony Domínguez
Projected 2026 Closer: Jeff Hoffman

To say the least, it’s been a tumultuous first season as a closer for Jeff Hoffman. Through his team’s first 156 games, he has suffered seven blown saves and allowed 15 home runs while converting 32 saves. His results have varied by month, and he’s entering the postseason with diminished velocity:

He will be an intriguing reliever for debate this winter regarding his fantasy value.

Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.

Statistical Credits:

Updated Closer Monkey Rankings | 9.15.2025

Recognizing that ranking relievers can become outdated within hours, Closer Monkey’s updated rankings incorporate in-season results with rest-of-season potential, yielding a number often worth debating. Each week, we provide rankings for saves, SOLDS, and holds. They are a combination of season-to-date, the last 14-day results, and rest-of-season projections, causing fluctuations in reliever valuation.

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Before each ranking, the leaderboards from the last 30 days will be included (through games played on September 14). First, saves:

Name	Saves
Jhoan Duran	10
Aroldis Chapman	9
Cade Smith	9
Carlos Estévez	8
Jose A. Ferrer	8
Raisel Iglesias	7
Shawn Armstrong	6
Dennis Santana	6
Andrés Muñoz	6
Andrew Kittredge	5
David Bednar	5
Robert Suarez	5
Ryan Walker	5
Pete Fairbanks	5
JoJo Romero	4
Kenley Jansen	4
Bryan Abreu	4

Updated Top 40 Relievers for Saves

Rank	Relievers
1	Aroldis Chapman
2	Jhoan Duran
3	Robert Suarez
4	Andrés Muñoz
5	Carlos Estévez
6	Edwin Díaz
7	David Bednar
8	Cade Smith
9	Raisel Iglesias
10	Jeff Hoffman
11	Bryan Abreu
12	Ryan Walker
13	Jose A. Ferrer
14	Dennis Santana
15	Kenley Jansen
16	Emilio Pagán
17	Pete Fairbanks
18	Shawn Armstrong
19	Andrew Kittredge
20	Will Vest
21	Abner Uribe
22	Riley O’Brien
23	Tanner Scott
24	Kyle Finnegan
25	Jordan Leasure
26	Victor Vodnik
27	JoJo Romero
28	Mason Miller
29	Keegan Akin
30	Matt Brash
31	Calvin Faucher
32	Clayton Beeter
33	Blake Treinen
34	Bryan Baker
35	Hunter Gaddis
36	Brad Keller
37	John Curtiss
38	Andrew Saalfrank
39	Tyler Phillips
40	Adrian Morejon

Last 30 days SOLDS leaderboard:

Name	Saves	Holds	SOLDS
Jhoan Duran	10	0	10
JoJo Romero	4	6	10
Jose A. Ferrer	8	1	9
Aroldis Chapman	9	0	9
Cade Smith	9	0	9
Carlos Estévez	8	0	8
Brad Keller	1	7	8
Andrew Kittredge	5	3	8
Hunter Gaddis	0	8	8
Clayton Beeter	1	6	7
Tony Santillan	3	4	7
Garrett Whitlock	0	7	7
Raisel Iglesias	7	0	7
Caleb Thielbar	0	7	7
Shawn Armstrong	6	1	7
Abner Uribe	3	4	7
Matt Strahm	0	7	7
Matt Brash	1	6	7
David Robertson	0	7	7

Top 75 for SOLDS

Rank	Reliever
1	Jhoan Duran
2	Aroldis Chapman
3	Robert Suarez
4	Edwin Díaz
5	Carlos Estévez
6	Andrés Muñoz
7	Abner Uribe
8	Mason Miller
9	Cade Smith
10	David Bednar
11	Brad Keller
12	Ryan Walker
13	Bryan Abreu
14	Raisel Iglesias
15	Andrew Kittredge
16	Jeff Hoffman
17	Adrian Morejon
18	JoJo Romero
19	Will Vest
20	Jose A. Ferrer
21	Luke Weaver
22	Hunter Gaddis
23	Matt Brash
24	Dennis Santana
25	Bryan Baker
26	Garrett Cleavinger
27	Tanner Scott
28	Jeremiah Estrada
29	Garrett Whitlock
30	Ronny Henriquez
31	Kenley Jansen
32	Lucas Erceg
33	Caleb Thielbar
34	Riley O’Brien
35	Matt Svanson
36	Shawn Armstrong
37	Devin Williams
38	Jared Koenig
39	Matt Strahm
40	Tony Santillan
41	Emilio Pagán
42	Pete Fairbanks
43	Bryan King
44	Tyler Kinley
45	David Robertson
46	Fernando Cruz
47	Clayton Beeter
48	Tyler Rogers
49	Edwin Uceta
50	Andrew Saalfrank
51	Brooks Raley
52	Victor Vodnik
53	Keegan Akin
54	Jordan Leasure
55	Tanner Banks
56	Dylan Lee
57	Brendon Little
58	Tyler Phillips
59	Gregory Soto
60	Seranthony Domínguez
61	Blake Treinen
62	Enyel De Los Santos
63	Greg Weissert
64	Orion Kerkering
65	Kyle Leahy
66	José Buttó
67	Aaron Ashby
68	PJ Poulin
69	Isaac Mattson
70	Jimmy Herget
71	Calvin Faucher
72	Griffin Jax
73	Tyler Holton
74	Luis García
75	Robert Garcia

Last 30 days holds leaderboard:

Name	Holds
Hunter Gaddis	8
Brad Keller	7
Garrett Whitlock	7
Caleb Thielbar	7
Matt Strahm	7
David Robertson	7
JoJo Romero	6
Clayton Beeter	6
Matt Brash	6
Ronny Henriquez	6
Rico Garcia	6
Luke Weaver	6
Fernando Cruz	6
Bryan Baker	5
Devin Williams	5
Cole Henry	5
Mason Miller	5
Bryan King	5
Tyler Rogers	5
Brooks Raley	5
Isaac Mattson	5
Gabe Speier	5

Top 50 for Holds

Rank	Reliever
1	Mason Miller
2	Hunter Gaddis
3	Brad Keller
4	Garrett Whitlock
5	Caleb Thielbar
6	Ronny Henriquez
7	Matt Svanson
8	Luke Weaver
9	Jeremiah Estrada
10	Devin Williams
11	Bryan Baker
12	Tyler Kinley
13	Lucas Erceg
14	Bryan King
15	Matt Brash
16	Garrett Cleavinger
17	Jared Koenig
18	JoJo Romero
19	Adrian Morejon
20	Matt Strahm
21	Tony Santillan
22	Edwin Uceta
23	Tyler Rogers
24	Riley O’Brien
25	Clayton Beeter
26	David Robertson
27	Brooks Raley
28	Blake Treinen
29	Brendon Little
30	Gabe Speier
31	Eduard Bazardo
32	Jimmy Herget
33	Isaac Mattson
34	Gregory Soto
35	Aaron Ashby
36	Dylan Lee
37	PJ Poulin
38	Enyel De Los Santos
39	Robert Garcia
40	José Buttó
41	Tyler Holton
42	Joel Peguero
43	Pierce Johnson
44	Tanner Banks
45	Seranthony Domínguez
46	Ryan Helsley
47	John Curtiss
48	Mike Vasil
49	Griffin Jax
50	Luis García

Closer Monkey Emails for 2025

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Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.

Statistical Credits:

Closer Monkey Month in Review | June 2025

As the sample sizes grow and teams pass the halfway point of the season, it helps break down performance in monthly splits. Using underlying metrics and hard statistical data, some intriguing names emerge in the June leaderboards with the Trade Deadline fast approaching.

League Saves through June

2025: 632 saves
2024: 639 saves
2023: 636 saves

Blown saves through June

2025: 369
2024: 367
2023: 361

Save Opportunities through June

2025: 1,001
2024: 1,006
2023: 997

No matter how the relievers and team approaches change, the numbers remain consistent across the last three years. With this in mind, here are the save trends by individual relievers since 2023:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/gFRE8/1/

Last year, Ryan Helsley (30) and Emmanuel Clase (25) had more than 24 saves, but they are the only two since 2023 to accomplish this feat.

Individual Results and Trends from June 2025

Mining the data from qualified relievers only in June, there were some relievers of interest, and some strong performances by relievers on the trade deadline radar. Beginning with the top performers by my four favorite categories, these relievers met the standards for all four of the following:

K-BB percentage greater than 20 percent, a swinging strike rate above 16 percent, a strike percentage over 66 percent, and a contact rate allowed below 66 percent:

Name	K-BB%	SwStr%	Strike%	Contact%
Aroldis Chapman	45.9%	26.3%	73.0%	57.9%
Josh Hader	42.9%	23.9%	68.7%	58.3%
Griffin Jax	40.0%	26.0%	68.5%	49.3%
Devin Williams	33.3%	20.4%	67.3%	60.5%
Bennett Sousa	31.7%	20.5%	70.9%	64.8%
Jason Adam	23.4%	19.3%	68.5%	62.9%
Reid Detmers	23.1%	16.5%	68.9%	65.7%

Aroldis Chapman will be a topic of debate. He’s signed to a one-year contract, and while his team maintains it’s going to finish better than last year, does keeping the potentially highly sought-after southpaw on the roster past the trade deadline make sense?
Devin Williams has taken a complete 180 from his rough start in New York. He’s a pending free agent and will continue adding to his allure this winter.

These relievers missed the cut but qualified in three of the four categorical requirements listed above:

Name	K-BB%	SwStr%	Strike%	Contact%
Bryan Abreu	39.6%	23.1%	61.5%	50.9%
David Bednar	36.1%	16.7%	66.7%	66.7%
Edwin Uceta	34.6%	20.9%	64.0%	58.9%
Edwin Diaz	33.3%	18.8%	63.2%	62.5%
Shelby Miller	33.3%	16.9%	71.1%	66.7%
Braydon Fisher	32.7%	15.0%	66.8%	65.0%
Dylan Lee	31.8%	17.2%	71.2%	68.5%
Will Vest	29.3%	16.5%	68.8%	67.4%
Nick Mears	26.8%	16.1%	72.5%	71.1%
Jeffrey Springs	25.5%	16.2%	68.6%	69.0%
Raisel Iglesias	22.0%	15.8%	68.5%	65.7%
Mason Montgomery	22.0%	19.3%	67.6%	66.1%

Bryan Abreu had a tremendous June and has been valuable as a ratio eraser despite not getting a save, finishing 25th in SGP.
Will this be the year David Bednar gets traded? I have advised against this in years past, but this year, the Pirates should be selling him and Dennis Santana.
Speaking of potential trade bait, Shelby Miller had a strong June. This was the iteration I was expecting last year, but I digress. If Arizona drifts further in the standings, Miller, on an expiring contract, should be moved.

Saves Leaders

Name	Saves
Josh Hader	9
Tanner Scott	8
Trevor Megill	8
Camilo Doval	7
Aroldis Chapman	6
Félix Bautista	6
Devin Williams	6
Emmanuel Clase	6
Jeff Hoffman	6
Carlos Estévez	6
David Bednar	5
Shelby Miller	5
Will Vest	5
Pete Fairbanks	5
Robert Suarez	5

Holds Leaders

Name	Holds
Abner Uribe	9
Jared Koenig	8
Jeremiah Estrada	7
Seranthony Domínguez	7
Tyler Rogers	7
Greg Weissert	6
Bryan Baker	6
Phil Maton	6
Ryan Thompson	6
Bryan Abreu	6
Gregory Soto	6
Hoby Milner	6
Anthony Bender	6

SOLDS Leaders

Name	Saves	Holds	SOLDS
Tanner Scott	8	2	10
Josh Hader	9	0	9
Greg Weissert	3	6	9
Abner Uribe	0	9	9
Bryan Baker	2	6	8
Trevor Megill	8	0	8
Jared Koenig	0	8	8
Jeremiah Estrada	1	7	8
Aroldis Chapman	6	1	7
Seranthony Domínguez	0	7	7
Devin Williams	6	1	7
Tyler Rogers	0	7	7
Shelby Miller	5	2	7
Camilo Doval	7	0	7

Strikeouts and Swinging Strike Percentage Leaders

Name	Strikeouts	Name	SwStr%
Bryan Abreu	26	Aroldis Chapman	26.3%
Edwin Uceta	23	Griffin Jax	26.0%
Josh Hader	22	Josh Hader	23.9%
Justin Wrobleski	21	Fernando Cruz	23.5%
Reid Detmers	20	Bryan Abreu	23.1%
Aroldis Chapman	19	Edwin Uceta	20.9%
Seranthony Domínguez	19	Bennett Sousa	20.5%
Braydon Fisher	19	Devin Williams	20.4%
Félix Bautista	19	Jason Adam	19.3%
Jason Adam	19	Mason Montgomery	19.3%
Fernando Cruz	19	Mason Miller	18.8%
Angel Zerpa	18	Edwin Díaz	18.8%
Griffin Jax	18	Phil Maton	18.8%
Hogan Harris	18	Grant Anderson	17.5%
Jake Bird	18	Tyler Kinley	17.4%
Casey Legumina	17	Brandon Eisert	17.3%
David Morgan	17	Dylan Lee	17.2%
Hoby Milner	17	Yuki Matsui	17.0%
Brendon Little	17	Shelby Miller	16.9%

K-BB Percentage and WHIP Leaders

Name	K-BB%	Name	WHIP
Aroldis Chapman	45.9%	Aroldis Chapman	0.36
Josh Hader	42.9%	Bennett Sousa	0.41
Griffin Jax	40.0%	Adrian Morejon	0.45
Bryan Abreu	39.6%	Alex Vesia	0.46
David Bednar	36.1%	Dylan Lee	0.47
Edwin Uceta	34.6%	Josh Hader	0.51
Fernando Cruz	34.2%	Dennis Santana	0.51
Felix Bautista	34.1%	Devin Williams	0.52
Devin Williams	33.3%	Shawn Armstrong	0.56
Edwin Diaz	33.3%	Mike Vasil	0.56
Shelby Miller	33.3%	Isaac Mattson	0.60
Braydon Fisher	32.7%	Matt Brash	0.60
Steven Okert	32.5%	Rafael Montero	0.62
Dylan Lee	31.8%	Will Vest	0.64
Bennett Sousa	31.7%	Yariel Rodriguez	0.64
Alex Vesia	31.3%	Braydon Fisher	0.68
Casey Legumina	31.1%	Casey Legumina	0.69
J.T. Ginn	30.6%	David Bednar	0.70
Will Vest	29.3%	2 tied with	0.71

Updated 2025 Leaderboards (through June 30)

Saves Leaders

Name	Saves
Josh Hader	23
Robert Suarez	23
Carlos Estévez	22
Jeff Hoffman	19
Andrés Muñoz	18
Kyle Finnegan	18
Trevor Megill	18
Emilio Pagán	18
Emmanuel Clase	18
Tanner Scott	18
Edwin Díaz	16
Félix Bautista	16
Ryan Helsley	16
Mason Miller	16
Pete Fairbanks	15
Kenley Jansen	15
Aroldis Chapman	14
Will Vest	13
Camilo Doval	13

Holds Leaders

Name	Holds
Abner Uribe	23
Bryan Abreu	20
Jason Adam	19
Tyler Rogers	18
Phil Maton	17
Tony Santillan	17
Gregory Soto	17
Jeremiah Estrada	17
Hunter Gaddis	17
Griffin Jax	17
Bryan King	16
Brendon Little	15
Cade Smith	15
Alex Vesia	15
Jared Koenig	15
Jose A. Ferrer	15
Lucas Erceg	14
Reed Garrett	14
Greg Weissert	14
Ryan Zeferjahn	14

SOLDS Leaders

Name	Saves	Holds	SOLDS
Tanner Scott	18	7	25
Abner Uribe	1	23	24
Josh Hader	23	0	23
Robert Suarez	23	0	23
Carlos Estévez	22	0	22
Bryan Abreu	0	20	20
Camilo Doval	13	7	20
Emilio Pagán	18	2	20
Jason Adam	0	19	19
Phil Maton	2	17	19
Tommy Kahnle	8	11	19
Tony Santillan	2	17	19
Emmanuel Clase	18	1	19
Jeremiah Estrada	2	17	19
Jeff Hoffman	19	0	19
Andrés Muñoz	18	0	18
Tyler Rogers	0	18	18
Shelby Miller	10	8	18
Cade Smith	3	15	18
Kyle Finnegan	18	0	18
Trevor Megill	18	0	18
Alex Vesia	3	15	18
Devin Williams	11	7	18

Closer Monkey Emails for 2025

This year, the daily emails will change. Those interested in daily free updates with links should subscribe to our page at Substack. Subscribers to the former site will not transfer over; readers must register using the new link.

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Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.

Statistical Credits:

Closer Monkey Quarterly Review

With most teams reaching one-quarter of their 162 games played, it’s time to delve into results by their relievers. Our compiled statistics reflect outcomes from games played through May 14, 2025, and the last 365 days (the statistical year).

Before going through the team’s closer(s), some leaderboards for the last 365 days.

Last Statistical Year Leaders

Name	Saves
Emmanuel Clase	45
Ryan Helsley	45
Josh Hader	39
Robert Suarez	39
Kyle Finnegan	39
Carlos Estévez	32
Mason Miller	31
Raisel Iglesias	30
Andrés Muńoz	29
Pete Fairbanks	28
Jhoan Durán	28
Tanner Scott	27
Kirby Yates	27
Kenley Jansen	27
Edwin Díaz	24
Trevor Megill	22
Camilo Doval	22

Name	Saves	Holds	SOLDS
Emmanuel Clase	45	1	46
Ryan Helsley	45	0	45
Bryan Abreu	1	41	42
Tanner Scott	27	14	41
Robert Suarez	39	1	40
Josh Hader	39	0	39
Kyle Finnegan	39	0	39
Lucas Erceg	13	24	37
Cade Smith	4	33	37
Hunter Gaddis	0	37	37
Yennier Cano	3	33	36
Jason Adam	1	35	36
Tyler Rogers	1	35	36
Kirby Yates	27	8	35
Ryan Walker	17	18	35
Griffin Jax	5	30	35

Reliever	SwStr%	Name	K-BB%
Josh Hader	21.5%	Mason Miller	31.2%
Dylan Lee	19.6%	Griffin Jax	30.6%
Mason Miller	19.6%	Jeremiah Estrada	30.4%
Griffin Jax	19.2%	A.J. Puk	29.9%
Jeremiah Estrada	18.4%	Josh Hader	29.6%
Jason Adam	18.0%	Cade Smith	29.4%
Andrés Muñoz	17.1%	Jeff Hoffman	29.1%
Edwin Díaz	17.0%	Mark Leiter Jr.	28.5%
Kirby Yates	16.9%	Kirby Yates	28.3%
Fernando Cruz	16.9%	Chris Martin	28.0%
Mark Leiter Jr.	16.9%	Edwin Díaz	27.9%
Tanner Scott	16.6%	Dylan Lee	27.6%
Jeff Hoffman	16.6%	Aroldis Chapman	25.7%
José Leclerc	16.5%	Alex Vesia	25.6%
Angel Chivilli	16.5%	Tony Santillan	25.4%
Ryne Stanek	16.5%	David Robertson	25.0%
A.J. Puk	16.3%	Raisel Iglesias	24.3%
Raisel Iglesias	16.3%	Fernando Cruz	24.1%
Brendon Little	16.3%	Matt Strahm	23.5%
Ryan Helsley	16.2%	Edwin Uceta	23.4%
Luke Weaver	15.8%	Keegan Akin	23.3%

Name	SO	Name	WHIP
Jeremiah Estrada	114	Raisel Iglesias	0.79
Cade Smith	106	Hunter Gaddis	0.80
Josh Hader	104	A.J. Puk	0.81
Griffin Jax	102	Tyson Miller	0.81
Mason Miller	101	Josh Hader	0.85
Kirby Yates	99	Lucas Erceg	0.85
Bryan Abreu	99	Nick Martinez	0.85
Luke Weaver	98	Kyle Leahy	0.88
Fernando Cruz	97	Jason Adam	0.89
Aroldis Chapman	96	Matt Strahm	0.89
Alex Vesia	96	Brant Hurter	0.89
Keegan Akin	96	Emmanuel Clase	0.90
Jeff Hoffman	95	Tyler Holton	0.90
Jason Adam	93	Andrés Muñoz	0.91
Mark Leiter Jr.	92	Manuel Rodríguez	0.92

Reliever Breakdowns by Team

American League East

Baltimore Orioles

Closer: Félix Bautista

2025: 12 IP, 7 saves, 15:6 K:BB (18.8 K-BB%), 1.00 WHIP, 15.5 SwStr%, 61.5 Strike%
He’s not appeared in consecutive games yet, but his workload should increase by June.
Help may be on the way in the form of Andrew Kittredge by next week.

Bautista has been solid despite working with reduced velocity after returning from Tommy John surgery. His team’s early struggles have not affected his save total, even though he has not appeared in back-to-back games yet.

Boston Red Sox

Closer: Aroldis Chapman

2025: 16 IP, 6 saves, 22:6 K:BB (24.6 K-BB%), 1.00 WHIP, 19.4 SwStr%, 68.1 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 64 IP, 19 saves, 96:28 K:BB (25.7 K-BB%), 1.14 WHIP, 15.1 SwStr%, 66.3 Strike%

Chapman has performed well, but his leverage ladder has not.

New York Yankees

Luke Weaver

2025: 20 IP, 4 saves, 22:6 K:BB (22.2 K-BB%), 0.60 WHIP, 14.1 SwStr%, 68.1 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 78 IP, 8 saves, 98:28 K:BB (23 K-BB%), 0.95 WHIP, 15.8 SwStr%, 64.5 Strike%

Devin Williams

2025: 14 IP, 4 saves, 16:11 K:BB (7.4 K-BB%), 1.79 WHIP, 11.7 SwStr%, 60.4 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 35.2 IP, 18 saves, 54:22 K:BB (20.5 K-BB%), 1.29 WHIP, 15.1 SwStr%, 61.3 Strike%
Last 14 Days: 4 IP, 6:3 K:BB (16.7 K-BB%), 1.25 WHIP, 16.7 SwStr%, 65.2 Strike%

This represents one of the most intriguing bullpens for the remainder of the season. Quotes from Aaron Boone make it sound like he wants Williams in the ninth inning, but Weaver’s been the better pitcher over the last 365 days.

Tampa Bay Rays

Closer: Pete Fairbanks

2025: 17 IP, 8 saves. 16:9 K:BB (9.5 K-BB%), 1.29 WHIP, 11.8 SwStr%, 60.4 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 54.1 IP, 28 saves, 49:18 K:BB (14.1 K-BB%), 1.09 WHIP, 10.9 SwStr%, 64.9 Strike%

Will this be the year Tampa Bay trades Fairbanks? He could be cheaper target before the trade deadline, which feels like something the Cubs would be interested in.

Toronto Blue Jays

Closer: Jeff Hoffman

2025: 19.1 IP, 9 saves, 31:4 K:BB (33.3 K-BB%), 1.19 WHIP, 16.5 SwStr%, 70.6 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 67.2 IP, 17 saves, 95:14 K:BB (29.1 K-BB%), 1.05 WHIP, 16.6 SwStr%, 68.4 Strike%

There have been some bumps in the road during recent appearances, but his salary and numbers above suggest it’s a blip, not a trend.

American League Central

Chicago White Sox

Three different relievers have recorded the team’s three saves. Cam Booser could be a viable option for those in league-only formats, and they just traded for Miguel Castro, but this bullpen will be in constant flux. If Grant Taylor works as a reliever upon promotion, I will be interested.

Cleveland Guardians

Closer: Emmanuel Clase

2025: 18.1 IP, 9 saves, 19:4 K:BB (18.1 K-BB%), 1.58 WHIP, 17.3 SwStr%, 70.2 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 72.1 IP, 45 saves, 63:13 K:BB (17.7 K-BB%), 0.90 WHIP, 14.1 SwStr%, 71.4 Strike%

Clase has emerged from his early season slump by converting his last five save chances.

Detroit Tigers

Primary Save Share: Will Vest

2025: 20 IP, 4 saves, 23:7 K:BB (20.3 K-BB%), 1.05 WHIP, 13.8 SwStr%, 65.6 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 73.1 IP, 6 saves, 79:21 K:BB (19.4 K-BB%), 1.08 WHIP, 11.3 SwStr%, 66.4 Strike%

It appears the baton has been passed from Jason Foley to Tommy Kahnle, and now Vest is the preferred option for save chances by A.J. Hinch.

Kansas City Royals

Closer: Carlos Estévez

2025: 19.2 IP, 12 saves, 18:10 K:BB (9.4 K-BB%), 1.22 WHIP, 9.4 SwStr%, 62.3 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 63 IP, 32 saves, 54:22 K:BB (12.7 K-BB%), 0.98 WHIP, 11 SwStr%, 66.2 Strike%

HLR: Lucas Erceg

2025: 19 IP, 1 save, 14:1 K:BB (20.6 K-BB%), 0.47 WHIP, 11.2 SwStr%, 66.2 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 64.2 IP, 13 saves, 64:9 K:BB (22.1 K-BB%), 0.85 WHIP, 13.4 SwStr%, 65.8 Strike%

While fantasy managers await for Erceg to get save chances, Estévez keeps outperforming his underlying data. Will his recent uptick in velocity prevent regression? Stay tuned.

Minnesota Twins

Closer: Jhoan Durán

2025: 20.1 IP, 8 saves, 24:9 K:BB (18.5 K-BB%), 0.98 WHIP, 16 SwStr%, 67.7 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 67.2 IP, 82:23 K:BB (20.7 K-BB%). 1.18 WHIP, 14.9 SwStr%, 66 Strike%

He’s tweaked his arsenal and been solid this season.

American League West

Houston Astros

Closer: Josh Hader

2025: 18 IP, 10 saves, 26:5 K:BB (29.6 K-BB%), 0.89 WHIP, 19.4 SwStr%, 70.5 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 72 IP, 39 saves, 104:22 K:BB (29.6 K-BB%). 0.85 WHIP, 21.5 SwStr%, 68.2 Strike%

Hader remains an elite option in his position.

Los Angeles Angels

Closer: Kenley Jansen

2025: 11 IP, 7 saves, 11:3 K:BB (16.7 K-BB%), 1.45 WHIP, 11.5 SwStr%, 68.7 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 52 IP, 27 saves, 54:14 K:BB (19.3 K-BB%). 1.10 WHIP, 11.3 SwStr%, 69.3 Strike%

With Ben Joyce out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, Jansen will benefit from the return of Robert Stephenson. And if he struggles, “Bob-Steve” could assume closer duties after the All-Star break.

Seattle Mariners

Closer: Andrés Muñoz

2025: 19 IP, 25:8 K:BB (24.7 K-BB%), 0.79 WHIP, 17.4 SwStr%, 62.6 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 61.2 IP, 29 saves, 82:27 (22.8 K-BB%), 0.91 WHIP, 17.1 SwStr%, 63 Strike%

A healthy and productive Muñoz is terrific for Seattle and fantasy managers.

Texas Rangers

Closer: Luke Jackson

2025: 13 IP, 12:7 K:BB (8.6 K-BB%), 1.54 WHIP, 9.3 SwStr%, 62.4 Strike%

Sidelined recently by a comeback line drive, his peripheral results suggest he’s on thin ice as a closer. He allows too much contact, does not produce whiffs, and can be predictable when his command struggles. Heed the WHIP and take note of who emerges as potential replacements.

The Athletics

Closer: Mason Miller

2025: 15.1 IP, 30:6 K:BB (30.6 K-BB%). 0.98 WHIP, 21.5 SwStr%, 65.4 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 64 IP, 101:23 K:BB (31.2 K-BB%), 0.95 WHIP, 19.6 SwStr%, 66.6 Strike%

Showing no signs of slowing down as a top-tier closer. Use the last 365 days’ results as a template for expectations.

National League East

Atlanta Braves

Closer: Raisel Iglesias

2025: 16.1 IP, 19:4 K:BB (20.8 K-BB%), 1.41 WHIP, 14.9 SwStr%, 69 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 69.1 IP, 76:12 K:BB (24.3 K-BB%). 0.79 WHIP, 16.3 SwStr%, 70.8 Strike%

He has not performed well in terms of quality of contact this season, but his pedigree keeps him at the top of his hierarchy. Will Atlanta trade for his potential replacement if he does not bounce back?

Miami Marlins

Primary Save Share: Jesús Tinoco

2025: 13.2 IP, 9:6 K:BB (5.3 K-BB%). 1.24 WHIP, 7.8 SwStr%, 61.8 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 54.1 IP, 51:18 K:BB (15.1 K-BB%), 1.03 WHIP, 11 SwStr%, 64.7 Strike%

If Tinoco can carry over his last 365 days’ results for the remainder of the season, he could record 10 or more saves. Tread lightly if they do not.

New York Mets

Closer: Edwin Díaz

2025: 17 IP, 24:8 K:BB (22.9 K-BB%), 1.12 WHIP, 14.9 SwStr%, 59.9 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 54 IP, 83:22 K:BB (27.9 K-BB%). 1.09 WHIP, 17 SwStr%, 62.3 Strike%

As his dominant 2022 drifts from our memory banks, he’s still a very good closer, but that season may represent an outlier, not a level he can attain again.

Philadelphia Phillies

José Alvarado

2025: 19.1 IP, 24:4 K:BB (24.4 K-BB%), 1.24 WHIP, 10.5 SwStr%, 65.1 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 63.1 IP, 71:25 K:BB (17 K-BB%), 1.31 WHIP, 12.5 SwStr%, 61.5 Strike%
Last 14 Days: 4.2 IP, 3:2 K:BB (5 K-BB%), 1.50 WHIP, 7.5 SwStr%, 56.3 Strike%

Jordan Romano

2025: 15.1 IP, 17:6 K:BB (15.9 K-BB%), 1.57 WHIP, 12.9 SwStr%, 66 Strike%
Last 14 Days: 5 IP, 7:0 K:BB (38.9 K-BB%), 0.60 WHIP, 15.9 SwStr%, 68.3 Strike%

First, Rob Thomson’s “floating closer” caps the upside of any reliever for the Phillies. However, Romano has found his form in recent outings and could put together a burst of productivity like Craig Kimbrel did in 2023. Monitor both relievers’ outcomes closely over the next two weeks.

Washington Nationals

Closer: Kyle Finnegan

Last Statistcal Year: 63 IP, 39 saves, 60:23 K:BB (13.3 K-BB%), 1.48 WHIP, 10.2 SwStr%, 66.7 Strike%
2025: 15.2 IP, 13 saves, 16:7 K:BB (13.2 K-BB%), 1.40 WHIP. 8.9 SwStr%, 63.2 Strike%

If there was a poster boy for not sexy but productive at closer, it’s Finnegan, the “finnisher.”

National League Central

Chicago Cubs

Ryan Pressly

2025: 14.1 IP, 4 saves, 7:9 K:BB (-2.9 K-BB%), 1.88 WHIP, 7.1 SwStr%, 60.8 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 55.2 IP, 8 saves, 42:21 K:BB (8.8 K-BB%), 1.37 WHIP, 11 SwStr%, 64.5 Strike%

Porter Hodge

2025: 18.1 IP, 2 saves, 18:11 K:BB (8.8 K-BB%), 1.53 WHIP, 12 SwStr%, 63.8 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 61.1 IP, 11 saves, 70:30 K:BB (16.4 K-BB%), 1.08 WHIP, 13.2 SwStr%, 62.7 Strike%

Neither reliever has taken control of the closer position, making this one of the most unsettled bullpens in baseball. Can Pressly work in the strike zone and induce more whiffs? Will Hodge reduce his walk rates and not implode on occasion?

Cincinnati Reds

Closer: Emilio Pagán

2025: 20 IP, 22:6 K:BB (20.8 K-BB%), 0.85 WHIP, 15 SwStr%, 67.2 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 38.2 IP, 10 saves, 41:10 K:BB (20.3 K-BB%), 1.06 WHIP, 14.2 SwStr%, 68.9 Strike%
Last 14 Days: 5.2 IP, 1 saves, 8:4 K:BB (14.8 K-BB%), 1.76 WHIP, 16.4 SwStr%, 62.7 Strike%

Trusting Pagán comes with apprehension, but Terry Francona is loyal, helping his cause. Tony Santillan may get some ancillary save chances soon, and Luis Mey has performed well in lower-leveraged outings. Can he do the same in high-leverage ones?

Milwaukee Brewers

Closer: Trevor Megill

2025: 12.1 IP, 5 saves, 15:7 K:BB (15.1 K-BB%), 1.30 WHIP, 13.5 SwStr%, 63 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 49 IP, 22 saves, 57:18 K:BB (19.6 K-BB%), 1.10 WHIP, 14.3 SwStr%, 66.6 Strike%

His usage patterns and results have been sporadic. Can he log more than 50 innings throughout a season?

Pittsburgh Pirates

Dennis Santana

2025: 18.1 IP, 4 saves, 11:3 K:BB (11.8 K-BB%), 0.87 WHIP, 14.5 SwStr%, 71.9 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 72.1 IP, 5 saves, 67:17 K:BB (17.6 K-BB%), 1.01 WHIP, 14.4 SwStr%, 68.6 Strike%
Last 14 Days: 6 IP, 1 save, 4:0 K:BB (18.2 K-BB%), 0.83 WHIP, 13.2 SwStr%, 72.4 Strike%

David Bednar

2025: 12.2 IP, 3 saves, 19:3 K:BB (29.1 K-BB%), 1.34 WHIP, 16.4 SwStr%, 67.1 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 54.1 IP, 57:26 K:BB (12.8 K-BB%), 1.40 WHIP, 14 SwStr%, 66 Strike%
Last 14 Days: 5.2 IP, 0 saves, 10:0 K:BB (43.5 K-BB%), 0.88 WHIP, 13.7 SwStr%, 68.4 Strike%

Under Don Kelly, Santana has appeared in the ninth inning four times, but Bednar did receive a save chance against the Mets. This may be a match-up-based situation until clarity presents itself.

St. Louis Cardinals

Closer: Ryan Helsley

2025: 15 IP, 8 saves, 16:10 K:BB (9 K-BB%), 1.53 WHIP, 12.8 SwStr%, 64 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 62.1 IP, 74:22 K:BB (17.7 K-BB%), 1.28 WHIP, 16.2 SwStr%, 66.7 Strike%

Like Díaz above, his outlier season may have already taken place. Use his last 365 days’ results as a closer representation of his skills going forward.

National League West

Arizona Diamondbacks

A.J. Puk

Last Statistical Year: 65.1 IP, 7 saves, 88:13 K:BB (29.9 K-BB%), 0.81 WHIP, 16.3 SwStr%, 69.8 Strike%

Justin Martinez

2025: 10 IP, 3 saves, 11:6 K:BB (11.9 K-BB%), 1.10 WHIP, 10.4 SwStr%, 59.1 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 70 IP, 11 saves, 86:33 K:BB (17.8 K-BB%), 1.29 WHIP, 13.2 SwStr%, 62.4 Strike%

Shelby Miller

2025: 18.2 IP, 3 saves, 21:7 K:BB (18.4 K-BB%), 1.02 WHIP, 13.1 SwStr%, 66.3 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 58 IP, 5 saves, 55:14 K:BB (17.7 K-BB%), 0.97 WHIP, 11.6 SwStr%, 66.9 Strike%

It’s been a revolving door during save chances this season, and things may remain unsettled until Puk can return. Miller has been surprisingly solid and may stay in the mix even after the injured relievers return from the injured list.

Colorado Rockies

Seth Halvorsen

2025: 16.2 IP, 1 save, 17:7 K:BB (14.5 K-BB%), 1.26 WHIP, 16 SwStr%, 63.9 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 29 IP, 3 saves, 30:9 K:BB (18.3 K-BB%), 1.07 WHIP, 14.9 SwStr%, 65.2 Strike%

Zach Agnos

2025: 11 IP, 2 saves, 5:1 K:BB (9.1 K-BB%), 1.09 WHIP, 16.5 SwStr%, 62.2 Strike%

Just when it seemed like Agnos was taking over the preferred save share, the team changed managers, coinciding with Halvorsen’s improved performance in recent outings. He’s the preferred option right now for the few save chances this team generates.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Primary Save Share: Tanner Scott

2025: 19.2 IP, 9 saves, 19:1 K:BB (26.1 K-BB%), 0.76 WHIP, 12.9 SwStr%, 73 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 75.2 IP, 27 saves, 87:21 K:BB (22.8 K-BB%). 0.95 WHIP, 16.6 SwStr%, 70 Strike%

It’s been an intriguing transformation for Scott with his new team. He’s produced fewer strikeouts but is working with better command and has been very productive while receiving the “brunt” of save chances.

San Diego Padres

Closer: Robert Suarez

2025: 19 IP, 15 saves, 21:8 K:BB (18.6 K-BB%), 0.79 WHIP, 11.2 SwStr%, 66.4 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 65.2 IP, 64:20 K:BB (16.6 K-BB%), 1.10 WHIP, 11.9 SwStr%, 66.5 Strike%

His results tailed off in the second half of last year, and he proved his critics (me included) wrong with a hot start this season. However, note his previous 365-day WHIP and K-BB percentage; these are new baselines as we move forward.

San Francisco Giants

Closer: Ryan Walker

2025: 15 IP, 7 saves, 15:7 K:BB (11.6 K-BB%), 1.53 WHIP, 7.5 SwStr%, 59.9 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 73 IP, 17 saves, 84:21 K:BB (22 K-BB%), 0.95 WHIP, 10.9 SwStr%, 65.9 Strike%

Camilo Doval

2025: 19.2 IP, 5 saves, 14:7 K:BB (9.5 K-BB%). 0.76 WHIP, 12.8 SwStr%, 62.3 Strike%
Last Statistical Year: 62.2 IP, 22 saves, 71:35 K:BB (13 K-BB%), 1.37 WHIP, 13.3 SwStr%, 60.3 Strike%

In a terrific piece of irony, it feels like neither reliever performs well when the other does. Walker remains the closer, but if he struggles with contact in the coming weeks, his hold on the role will remain tenuous.

Closer Monkey Emails for 2025

Premium subscribers can still use this link for daily, ad-free content or submit a $25 payment via Venmo to @gjewett9.

Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.

Statistical Credits:

Month in Review for Relievers | March/April 2025

Assessing reliever performances through the first month-plus comes with apprehension because small sample sizes can be misleading. Focusing on the data and some underlying indicators helps fantasy players remain ahead of the competition.

Total Saves

2025: 243 saves recorded between March and April
2024: 248 saves recorded between March and April
2023: 210 saves recorded between March and April

Blown Saves

2025: 126 blown saves between March and April
2024: 132 blown saves between March and April
2023: 118 blown saves between March and April

Save Chances

2025: 369 save chances between March and April
2024: 380 save chances between March and April
2023: 328 save chances between March and April

Saves and blown saves are slightly down when compared with last year, but offense has been on the rise, affecting ratios:

2025: 3,979 runs scored between March and April
2024: 3,408 runs scored between March and April
2023: 3,744 runs scored between March and April

Even worse news lies in how saves are being dispersed on many teams. This season, 85 different pitchers have recorded a save. Last year, 69 pitchers recorded at least one save in this timeframe; in 2023, 72 pitchers notched a save by the end of April.

Individual Results and Trends

At the end of April, there were four relievers with at least eight saves without a blown save:

Robert Suarez (SD) – 12
Andrés Muñoz (SEA) – 11
Mason Miller (ATH) – 9
Josh Hader (HOU) – 8

These four closers are off to strong starts. But did they all record a WHIP below one, a K-BB percentage greater than 23, a swinging strike percentage over 15, and a strike percentage above 66?

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ksTC3/1/

Miller and Hader met this criteria, but the other two did not. Some intriguing names on this list, including Aroldis Chapman, who has carried over his strong second half from last year into the first month-plus of this season.

Shifting into the leaders at the end of April, these relievers recorded the most SOLDS (saves plus holds):

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/blxo0/1/

And the leaders in holds:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/8ImQ9/1/

Two key indicators for sustained success by relievers are K-BB percentage and swinging strike rate. Leaders from each category are as follows:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/pPUv3/2/

Strikeouts and WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) should also be monitored closely by fantasy managers. Here are the leaders in these categories during the first month-plus this season:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/L8jqW/1/

It’s been a tremendous first-month providing information for the Closer Monkey community. More volatility lies on the horizon, so stay safe and be well until these situations arise.

Statistical Credits:

Updated 2025 Bullpen Hierarchies

Roles may be changed or redefined, and injuries will alter a team’s bullpen hierarchy. However, with Spring Training games in full swing, it’s time for our updated hierarchies. These are subject to change and will be updated on our team pages until Opening Day.

American League East

Baltimore Orioles – “The Mountain” will return as the closer this season. Félix Bautista recorded 33 saves with 110 strikeouts against 26 walks (35.4 K-BB%) in 2023 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He’s been throwing live bullpen sessions and will anchor this bullpen in 2025. His stock will rise appreciably with a strong spring, but fantasy managers will focus on his command.

Updated Hierarchy: Félix Bautista | Yennier Cano | Seranthony Domínguez

Boston Red Sox – Forecasting the Red Sox closer comes with apprehension. Although the team signed Liam Hendriks for the role in 2025, he suffered a setback with “forearm soreness,” preventing his return this season. Can he remain healthy throughout 2025? Will he be effective? Those in keeper leagues should stash Justin Slaten. He flourished as a Rule 5 pick with a 1.01 WHIP and 22.3 K-BB percentage as a rookie. A wild card in this mix could be Garrett Whitlock. His splits by role:

Whitlock as a SP: 109 IP, 102:23 K:BB (17.4 K-BB%), .328 weighted on-base average, 1.27 WHIP
Whitlock as an RP: 132.2 IP, 150:29 K:BB (22.7 K-BB%), .273 weighted on-base average, 1.05 WHIP

As of today, pedigree propels Hendriks atop the hierarchy, but his hold will be tenuous unless he’s terrific at Spring Training. The team also added Aroldis Chapman. Boston needs a left-handed reliever with velocity, and he could also factor into save situations if the team takes a match-up-based approach.

Updated Hierarchy: *Liam Hendriks | *Aroldis Chapman | *Justin Slaten

*= closer-by-committee

New York Yankees – Trading for Devin Williams clarifies the closer position, but he also helped change the team’s archaic facial hair policy. “The Airbender” was terrific after missing the first four months of the season but converted 14 of 15 save chances while being scoreless in 20 of his 22 regular season appearances, recording 38 strikeouts against 11 walks. Luke Weaver will be the stopper (HLR) with an adapted arsenal. He’s one of five relievers with at least 100 strikeouts this season. He’s also converted all four save chances with six wins and 22 holds through 61 appearances.

Updated Hierarchy: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Ian Hamilton

Tampa Bay Rays – Despite losing Pete Fairbanks, the Rays bullpen flourished in the second half. When he’s healthy, he remains the closer. He’s recorded 48 saves over the last two seasons but produced a reduced K-BB percentage and swinging strike rate in 2024. Health remains his hurdle. He begins 2025 as the closer, but change may be afoot as the season ensues. Dynasty league players should monitor Edwin Uceta and Hunter Bigge closely.

Updated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Garrett Cleavinger

Toronto Blue Jays – Signing Jeff Hoffman to a three-year contract puts him atop the revamped hierarchy. He’s been one of baseball’s best relievers over the previous two seasons. Toronto also re-signed Yimi García and has Chad Green through the end of 2025, rounding out the high-leverage triumvirate.

Updated Hierarchy: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green

American League Central

Chicago White Sox – After enduring the most losses in MLB history, prognosticating a closer for a team in this steep rebuilding process remains challenging. Justin Anderson ended the season as the highest-leveraged reliever. Since wins may be difficult again, getting a veteran reliever with “closer” experience would benefit the rebuilding. However, the team was not aggressive in the free-agent reliever market. Keeper league players hope Prelander Berroa (left his first spring outing with elbow soreness) or Jordan Leasure improve in 2025. Also keep tabs on non-roster invitees, James Karinchak and Mike Clevinger, who closed in college per Scott Merkin.

Updated Hierarchy: *Mike Clevinger | *Justin Anderson | *Fraser Ellard

*= closer-by-committee

Cleveland Guardians – Since the start of 2022, no reliever has recorded more saves than Emmanuel Clase. He’s secured 40-plus saves in the last three years with a 0.84 WHIP over 221.2 innings. Although he’s on a team-friendly deal, it escalates in 2025 and reaches ten million in 2027. For a franchise that prefers keeping payroll down, he could be moved when his stock’s at its peak. Stay tuned. Dynasty league players will track Cade Smith, Andrew Walters, and Franco Aleman.

Updated Hierarchy: Emmanuel Clase | Paul Sewald | Cade Smith

Detroit Tigers – A.J. Hinch mixed and matched with aplomb while getting his team into the playoffs. Jason Foley led the team with 28 saves. Tyler Holton recorded seven wins, eight saves, and 14 holds across 66 appearances. How far the team goes and how the bullpen performs may determine how it’s structured in 2025. Beau Brieske and Will Vest emerged as the preferred right-handed options in the playoffs. Detroit also signed Tommy Kahnle and John Brebbia in the off-season. Last, Alex Lange could regain the closer role if his rehab goes well and his command improves during his 60-day injured list stint.

Updated Hierarchy: *Beau Brieske | *Tommy Kahnle | *Jason Foley

*= closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals – Although most believed Hunter Harvey would usurp James McArthur’s closer role, Lucas Erceg emerged after his acquisition. In his 23 games with the Royals, he converted 11 of his 13 save opportunities with 31 strikeouts against three walks across 25 innings. However, the team also signed Carlos Estévez to a two-year, $22.2 million contract and announced the team would share save situations in the upcoming season. We project Estévez as the preferred save share, with Erceg being the “stopper.”

Updated Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Hunter Harvey

Minnesota Twins – What felt like a slam dunk has become murky. Jhoan Durán took a step back, though it’s possible his oblique injury affected his performance throughout the season. He should get a mulligan for 2024, but his spring performance should be tracked closely. Griffin Jax emerged as a trusted high-leverage option, posting a robust 95 strikeouts against 15 walks (29 K-BB percentage) in 2024. Stay tuned.

Updated Hierarchy: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands

American League West

A’s – Many did not believe Mason Miller would be used as the closer this season. All he did was set the franchise record for saves by a rookie with 28, including throwing the last pitch at Oakland Coliseum. Reports indicate he will remain in this role moving forward, which makes him a terrific target for 2025. He recorded 104 strikeouts with a 0.88 WHIP through 65 innings across 55 appearances.

Updated Hierarchy: Mason Miller | José Leclerc | Tyler Ferguson

Houston Astros – With Josh Hader signed on a long-term deal, it’s no surprise he’s the projected closer for 2025. After trading Ryan Pressly, look for Bryan Abreu as the eighth-inning option, but the rest of the bullpen will be a work in progress.

Updated Hierarchy: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Forrest Whitley

Los Angeles Angels – Good news will come in two parts for 2025: an emerging Ben Joyce and the return of Robert Stephenson. Joyce introduced a “splinker” into his arsenal on June 16 and produced 25 scoreless appearances in his last 27 games with 33 strikeouts against 11 walks across 31 innings. The Angels signed Kenley Jansen to a one-year contract to provide Joyce with more runway for the future. He takes over as the closer and can tutor Joyce on the rigors of becoming one in the future.

Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Ben Joyce | Brock Burke

Seattle Mariners – Forced into the closer role because of injuries throughout the leverage ladder, Andrés Muñoz converted 22 of 27 save chances with a 0.96 WHIP through 57.1 innings. He pitched through lingering back tightness and elbow soreness at the end of the season. Returns by Matt Brash and Gregory Santos will be pivotal for the team’s progress, but Muñoz remains atop the hierarchy, barring injury, on Opening Day.

Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Gregory Santos | Collin Snider

Texas Rangers – Forced into a complete rebuild in the bullpen, the team signed Chris Martin, traded for Robert Garcia, and hopes Marc Church can emerge as a leverage option in 2025. It feels like an offseason of half-measures for a team with playoff aspirations. Plan on Martin getting the first save chance, but another pitcher may emerge as the closer during the season. Jon Gray will be a wild card or flamethrower, and Emiliano Teodo may enter the picture later this year.

Updated Hierarchy: *Chris Martin | *Robert Garcia | Jacob Webb

*= closer-by-committee

National League East

Atlanta Braves – Since his debut with Atlanta on August 5, 2022, Raisel Iglesias has logged 150 appearances, posting a 1.86 ERA (second lowest in this timeframe) with 11 wins, 67 saves, and a 0.907 WHIP. He will be entering the final year of his contract in 2025, which means change may be coming at the closer position in 2026, but for next year, he remains a reliable target for saves. The bigger question is, who sets up for him with Joe Jiménez sidelined after undergoing knee surgery?

Updated Hierarchy: Raisel Iglesias | Pierce Johnson | Dylan Lee

Miami Marlins – After the team traded Tanner Scott, Calvin Faucher received the majority share of saves until he was sidelined with an injury. Jesús Tinoco took over as the most trusted high-leverage option over the last six weeks, and this may be a spring battle for roles. However, there’s no clear plan in place for the franchise, making the closer role speculative at best. Stay tuned.

Updated Hierarchy: *Calvin Faucher | Jesús Tinoco | Anthony Bender

*= closer-by-committee

New York Mets – Riding a second-half resurgence buoyed by throwing more four-seam fastballs and being less reliant on his slider, Edwin Díaz reestablished himself as a top-tier closer. Can he maintain this throughout the entirety of 2025? Here’s hoping so. He will be a top target in preseason drafts and rankings.

Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | A.J. Minter | Reed Garrett

Philadelphia Phillies – After using the “floating closer” concept most of the season, Rob Thomson used Carlos Estévez as his closer after the trade deadline. However, Estévez and Jeff Hoffman departed via free agency. Taking a shot on Jordan Romano as the replacement appears risky. His velocity this spring will determine his effectiveness during save situations. If he struggles, will the Phillies turn to Orion Kerkering as the closer?

Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Orion Kerkering | Matt Strahm

Washington Nationals – In a surprise off-season move, the team declined arbitration on Kyle Finnegan, letting their closer enter free agency. Washington signed Jorge López and Lucas Sims to one-year, three-million-dollar deals. It also hopes Jose A. Ferrer will be ready as its high-leverage left-handed option, capable of closing out games when needed. (UPDATED 2/25) Per Robert Murray, the Nationals agreed on a one-year, six million dollar deal with Finnegan, who will resume his closer role with the team.

Updated Hierarchy: Kyle Finnegan | Jorge López | Jose A. Ferrer

National League Central

Chicago Cubs – Porter Hodge ended 2024 with 18 scoreless appearances over his last 19 games, converting eight of nine save chances with 26 strikeouts against nine walks. However, he projects as the HLR after the team traded for Ryan Pressly. He waived his no-trade clause for the chance at closing games on the precipice of free agency.

Updated Hierarchy: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Ryan Brasier

Cincinnati Reds – Streaky in his performances in high-leverage events and spotty at times with his command, Alexis Díaz remains a fantasy enigma. He’s recorded 55 saves in the last two years, but his declining K-BB percentage and rising WHIP do not foster trust from fantasy managers. He projects as the Opening Day closer, but his potential volatility makes him a risky investment for 2025. Keep tabs on Scott Barlow, Tony Santillan, and how the team uses Graham Ashcraft this season.

Updated Hierarchy: Alexis Díaz | Scott Barlow | Tony Santillan

Milwaukee Brewers – Trading Devin Williams paves the way for Trevor Megill as the closer entering 2025. He did struggle in the second-half but converted 20 of 22 save opportunities while his teammate was on the injured list last year. Abner Uribe remains on the periphery of the leverage ladder and if he improves his command, could be a factor for saves as the season progresses. Those in keeper leagues should track Craig Yoho and Jacob Miriorowski’s progress closely this spring.

Updated Hierarchy: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Abner Uribe

Pittsburgh Pirates – What seemed like an easy prognostication at the beginning of 2024 has become much more complex as it has concluded. David Bednar was removed from the closer role and was ineffective this season after undergoing two oblique injuries. He’s dealt with side or back injuries in three of the past four seasons. Can he rebound? We side with yes, but a strong spring would ease concerns about 2025 for the “Renegade.”

Updated Hierarchy: David Bednar | Dennis Santana | Colin Holderman

St. Louis Cardinals – A revamped bullpen anchored by Ryan Helsley resulted in a franchise record 49 saves. Andrew Kittredge and JoJo Reyes performed well in set-up roles as well. Can Helsley repeat this production level in 2025, and will he be traded? More significant questions will be who sets up for him.

Updated Hierarchy: Ryan Helsley | Ryan Fernandez | Matthew Liberatore

National League West

Arizona Diamondbacks – Limping toward the finish line, there were more questions than answers about the bullpen at the end of 2024. A.J. Puk suffered an ugly loss in a “must-win” game, and Justin Martinez showed flashes of brilliance mixed with traffic-induced save situations. Based on in-season usage patterns, Martinez should open 2025 as the closer, but a match-up-based approach could also be deployed. Hopefully, clarity will emerge this spring.

Updated Hierarchy: *Justin Martinez | *A.J. Puk | Kevin Ginkel

*= closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies – The Rockies had a revolving door at the closer position this season. At the beginning of the season, Justin Lawrence and Tyler Kinley were the top two relievers in the hierarchy. Victor Vodnik emerged as the closer in early July until he landed on the injured list in late August. Kinley reemerged, converting all six save chances until he was on the injured list in September. Rookie Seth Halvorsen took over the top of the hierarchy, and a spring battle will decide who gets the gig on Opening Day. Early reports speculate on a three-reliever camp competition between Halvorsen, Vodnik, and Kinley.

Updated Hierarchy: *Seth Halvorsen | *Victor Vodnik | *Tyler Kinley

*= closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – Throwing caution into the wind, the team signed Tanner Scott to a four-year contract and announced he would receive the “brunt” of save opportunities. With injuries to Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips, Los Angeles also re-signed postseason hero Blake Treinen and free agent Kirby Yates. There is less fluidity in the leverage ladder, with only Alex Vesia possessing minor league options, but more depth at the onset of 2025.

Updated Hierarchy: *Tanner Scott | *Kirby Yates | Blake Treinen

*= closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – Robert Suarez was dominant in the first half, throwing his four-seam fastball and converting 22 of his first 24 save chances. Fatigue and predictability affected his results in the second half. One should not run from the Padres closer, but a more diverse use of his arsenal will prevent further migration toward the mean. He will be the closer on Opening Day, but his runway was reduced slightly by the second-half struggles ahead of the playoffs and his potential opt-out clause at the end of 2025. Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada remain sneaky options for saves later this season.

Updated Hierarchy: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada

San Francisco Giants – It’s too early to give up on Camilo Doval as a reliever, and it’s tough to trust him next season after struggling with a rising WHIP and declining K-BB percentage. Things become trickier with the emergence of Ryan Walker. He took over as the closer and converted all ten save chances from August 10-on with 28 strikeouts versus five walks during his last 17 appearances, spanning 19.2 innings. Doval may need a change of scenery, and Walker has been confirmed as the closer by manager, Bob Melvin.

Updated Hierarchy: Ryan Walker | Tyler Rogers | Camilo Doval

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Statistical Credits: