Even though a reliever gets listed in our Cheat Sheet, it does not mean he will be traded, but he has been mentioned in an article or by a national writer. This post shares closers and setup relievers who may be moved before Thursday’s trade deadline at 6 P.M. ET.
Cheat Sheet
There are zero guarantees these relievers are traded. However, for our purposes, their controllable years or contract options are shared for posterity in the event they are moved. They are included because they have been mentioned in articles about the trade deadline.
Mason Miller(ATH): Enters his arbitration window in 2026 and is under team control through 2029. (Miller traded to San Diego)Jhoan Duránand Griffin Jax (MIN): Both are under team control through 2027. (Durán traded to Philadelphia)David Bednarand Dennis Santana (PIT): Both are under team control through 2026. (Bednar traded to the Yankees)- Camilo Doval (SF): Under team control through 2027.
- Pete Fairbanks (TB): Team option for 2026 for $7 million with clauses that can reach $11 million.
- Jake Bird (COL): Under team control through 2028.
- Victor Vodnik (COL): Under team control through 2029.
- Seth Halvorsen (COL): Under team control through 2030.
- Anthony Bender (MIA): Under team control through 2027.
- Ronny Henriquez (MIA): Under team control through 2030.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA); Under team control through 2029.
Now for the hired guns: relievers who will or can be free agents at the end of the season.
Right-Handed Relievers
- Robert Suarez (SD) – has an opt-out clause
Ryan Helsley(STL) – traded to the Mets- Raisel Iglesias (ATL)
- Kenley Jansen (LAA)
- Shelby Miller (ARI)
Kyle Finnegan(WSH) – traded to Detroit- Phil Maton (STL)
Tyler Rogers(SF) – traded to the Mets
Left-Handed Relievers
Danny Coulombe(MIN) – traded to TexasSteven Matz(STL) – traded to Boston- Jalen Beeks (ARI)
Caleb Ferguson(PIT) – traded to Seattle- Sean Newcomb (ATH)
Fantasy Flow Charts
Arizona Diamondbacks
- If they trade Shelby Miller, Kevin Ginkel remains the preferred save share; however, the team should start mixing in the newly acquired relievers as potential candidates for next season.
Atlanta Braves
- If they trade Raisel Iglesias but keep Pierce Johnson, he will split saves in a matchup-based approach with Dylan Lee.
- If they trade Iglesias and Johnson, then it’s Lee and Daysbel Hernández sharing saves until Joe Jiménez can return.
Baltimore Orioles
- They should be trading Seranthony Domínguez. This leaves Yennier Cano, Andrew Kittredge, and Keegan Akin atop the leverage ladder. Based on today’s usage pattern, it lines up for Kittredge and Akin to share saves, assuming a matchup-based approach with Cano as the primary setup reliever. This changes if they also deal Kittredge. Stay tuned.
Colorado Rockies
- They should be fielding calls on any reliever a team’s interested in. I believe Jake Bird will be traded, but they will keep Seth Halvorsen and Victor Vodnik.
Los Angeles Angels
- If they move Kenley Jansen, this will give Reid Detmers a chance to close, and getting José Quijada active makes this transition smoother for the team. Robert Stephenson has made little progress in his return-to-play protocols.
Miami Marlins
- There have been rumors that the team would be willing to trade Anthony Bender, Ronny Henriquez, or Calvin Faucher. Fantasy managers would welcome a narrowed field for saves, but this may not be Clayton McCullough’s modus operandi.
Minnesota Twins
- If they trade Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax becomes the preferred save option. If they trade Jax, Louis Varland gets a larger leverage role. Odds remain low that one or both get moved based on how the team’s front office operates, but there’s a chance.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- If they trade David Bednar, it’s Dennis Santana. However, if they trade both, we prefer Isaac Mattson.
San Diego Padres
- In a buy-and-sell model, the team could trade Robert Suarez (Cubs?) and add a less expensive reliever while restructuring its “four horsemen.” However, if this happened, I believe Jeremiah Estrada would become the preferred save option, not Jason Adam. This also brings Adrian Morejon into the hierarchy. He leads all relievers with eight wins this season and has recorded two saves. Suarez could get the left-fielder the team desires, perhaps a catcher as well. Preller may be forced to trade from a strength to address a weakness. There seems to be an undercurrent of conversations about Suarez.
San Francisco Giants
- It’s a bit off the reservation, but two columns posted on Monday suggested the Giants should listen to offers for Camilo Doval. Though a long shot, if he’s traded, it would pave the way for Randy Rodríguez as the team’s closer.
St. Louis Cardinals (Updated on 7.29)
- If they trade Ryan Helsley, then Phil Maton and Steven Matz should also be considered for a move, as they are all on expiring contracts. This would result in JoJo Romero and one of Kyle Leahy or Gordon Graceffo being the match-up-based options during save situations. Recent appearances favor Leahy. The wild card will be Riley O’Brien, who has the velocity, but is he in the “trust tree?”
Tampa Bay Rays
- Recent reports suggest that the team prefers keeping Pete Fairbanks, but if things change, Bryan Baker is insurance for high-leverage events. However, he left his outing early on Saturday with a calf issue. If he misses time, then Edwin Uceta may be used for saves, and if Mason Montgomery can rebound after his demotion, he could work his way into a timeshare. As of July 30, it’s Uceta > Baker > Montgomery for saves if Fairbanks is moved.
The Athletics
- If they trade Mason Miller, this leverage ladder becomes somewhat disarrayed. Justin Sterner could be called upon for saves. Elvis Alvarado has the velocity, but lacks command. Michael Kelly has been a reliable setup reliever since being activated, but I’m not sure he can handle the ninth inning.
Washington Nationals
- If the team finds a buyer for Kyle Finnegan, Jose A. Ferrer will be in line for the majority of save chances with Cole Henry as his right-handed leverage complement.
Buyer Beware (Closer or Preferred Save Share at risk if team buys)
Do not panic, at least for now. There is a slight chance that these relievers could have their roles shifted if their team adds a veteran closer, such as Ryan Helsley, although he would likely displace all of them.
- Daniel Palencia (CHC) – odds are 25 percent
- Will Vest (DET) – odds are 50 percent
Matt Strahm(PHI) – he’s no longer the closer- Robert Garcia (TEX) – odds are greater than 50 percent
- Jeff Hoffman (TOR) – odds are 25 percent
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