With one week until the trade deadline, it’s moving season for teams vying for the postseason and their front offices looking to justify roster additions. How many teams remain in contention for the last Wild Card spot will determine how robust the reliever market will be. Burning questions include:
- Will San Diego trade Mason Miller? Adrian Morejon? Both? Neither? Recent reports indicate that Miller will not be moved.
- Which Angels’ relievers get traded? Royals? Reds?
- Do the Mets trade Luke Weaver? If so, to which team?
- Should St. Louis sell high on Riley O’Brien?
Because teams continue using matchup-based approaches and managed workloads, 211 relievers have already recorded a save this season, well ahead of the pace from the two previous seasons. However, the number of relievers with at least 15 saves remains well behind pace compared to 2024 and 2025:
When assessing the rankings, understand that they remain fluid as sample sizes grow. They are a mix of in-season results and rest-of-season potential. Rankings should be part of a fantasy player’s toolkit, not the sole source of evaluation. This week may look different. I have continued to use updated SGPs (standard gains points) for the season and the last two weeks, with an eye on rest-of-season potential.
Each category will have an updated leaderboard featuring the leaders for the season and July, based on games played through July 26.
Stock Up for Saves
- Edwin Díaz (LAD): He will be activated on Wednesday and return as the closer, according to Dave Roberts in this post by Dylan Hernandez. His velocity and ability to work consecutive contests will be monitored closely.
- Mason Montgomery (PIT): Yes, he allowed a two-run home run during his second save, but he was reserved for a matchup against Pete Crow-Armstrong in the ninth by the Pirates and may receive a larger share of save opportunities moving forward. He’s earned it, racking up 18 strikeouts against two walks (51.6 K-BB%) through 8.2 innings in July.
- Steven Cruz (KC): Securing his second save in July on Sunday, Cruz has recorded a 1.03 WHIP with eight strikeouts and three walks across 9.2 innings. Retooling for 2027, it makes sense for the Royals to see what he’s capable of in high-leverage situations.
Saves Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Cade Smith |
| 3 | Jhoan Duran |
| 4 | Bryan Baker |
| 5 | David Bednar |
| 6 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 7 | Louis Varland |
| 8 | Jacob Latz |
| 9 | Trevor Megill |
| 10 | Josh Hader |
| 11 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 12 | Devin Williams |
| 13 | Riley O’Brien |
| 14 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 15 | Paul Sewald |
| 16 | Emilio Pagán |
| 17 | Edwin Díaz |
| 18 | Mason Montgomery |
| 19 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 20 | Tyler Wells |
| 21 | Kenley Jansen |
| 22 | Jordan Romano |
| 23 | Grant Taylor |
| 24 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 25 | Clayton Beeter |
| 26 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 27 | Gregory Soto |
| 28 | Jacob Webb |
| 29 | Alex Lange |
| 30 | Hogan Harris |
| 31 | Tanner Scott |
| 32 | Steven Cruz |
| 33 | Erik Miller |
| 34 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 35 | Luke Weaver |
| 36 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 37 | Abner Uribe |
| 38 | Caleb Kilian |
| 39 | Andrew Morris |
| 40 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 41 | Aaron Ashby |
| 42 | Gavin Hollowell |
| 43 | Luis Medina |
| 44 | Carmen Mlodzinski |
| 45 | Adrian Morejon |
| 46 | Jordan Hicks |
| 47 | Paul Blackburn |
| 48 | Juan Morillo |
| 49 | Jakob Junis |
| 50 | Dylan Lee |
| 51 | Kevin Kelly |
| 52 | Bryan Hudson |
| 53 | Didier Fuentes |
| 54 | George Soriano |
| 55 | Samy Natera Jr. |
| 56 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 57 | Brennan Bernardino |
| 58 | Brent Headrick |
| 59 | Michael Petersen |
| 60 | Hunter Gaddis |
Stock Up for SOLDS
- Daniel Lynch IV (KC): He has recorded two wins and three SOLDS in July with a 0.54 WHIP across 9.1 innings.
- Paul Blackburn (NYY): Forging a larger leverage presence in his bullpen, he has a win, a save, and two holds with a 0.63 WHIP over 14.1 innings in July. One would prefer his walk rate to decrease, but his team does not have a day off until August 6.
SOLDS Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for SOLDS
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Cade Smith |
| 3 | Jhoan Duran |
| 4 | David Bednar |
| 5 | Bryan Baker |
| 6 | Tanner Scott |
| 7 | Dylan Lee |
| 8 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 9 | Jacob Latz |
| 10 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 11 | Josh Hader |
| 12 | Trevor Megill |
| 13 | Louis Varland |
| 14 | Luke Weaver |
| 15 | Adrian Morejon |
| 16 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 17 | Grant Taylor |
| 18 | Abner Uribe |
| 19 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 20 | Riley O’Brien |
| 21 | Michael Petersen |
| 22 | Mason Montgomery |
| 23 | Brent Headrick |
| 24 | Tyler Wells |
| 25 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 26 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 27 | Kevin Kelly |
| 28 | Devin Williams |
| 29 | Emilio Pagán |
| 30 | Tyler Rogers |
| 31 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 32 | Gabe Speier |
| 33 | Jacob Webb |
| 34 | Edwin Díaz |
| 35 | Fernando Cruz |
| 36 | Brooks Raley |
| 37 | Steve Okert |
| 38 | Jakob Junis |
| 39 | Kenley Jansen |
| 40 | Didier Fuentes |
| 41 | Paul Sewald |
| 42 | Justin Slaten |
| 43 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 44 | Brock Burke |
| 45 | Erik Miller |
| 46 | Aaron Ashby |
| 47 | Jordan Hicks |
| 48 | Alex Vesia |
| 49 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 50 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 51 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 52 | Andrew Morris |
| 53 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 54 | Clayton Beeter |
| 55 | Yennier Cano |
| 56 | George Soriano |
| 57 | Dylan Dodd |
| 58 | Gregory Soto |
| 59 | Orion Kerkering |
| 60 | Juan Morillo |
| 61 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 62 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 63 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 64 | Hogan Harris |
| 65 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 66 | Kevin Ginkel |
| 67 | Cole Sulser |
| 68 | Tejay Antone |
| 69 | Chad Patrick |
| 70 | Bradgely Rodriguez |
| 71 | Tyler Holton |
| 72 | Paul Blackburn |
| 73 | Taylor Rogers |
| 74 | Brennan Bernardino |
| 75 | Samy Natera Jr. |
Stock Up for Holds
- Justin Slaten (BOS): Not only has he racked up six holds in July, but he’s posted a 0.75 WHIP with a 32 K-BB% through 6.2 innings.
- Cole Sulser (TB): Relievers revive their careers in this leverage ladder, and the latest reclamation project has been Sulser. He’s notched six holds with 13 strikeouts against two walks (25 K-BB%) across 11.2 innings in July.
Holds Leaderboards
Updated RP Rankings for Holds
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Tanner Scott |
| 2 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 3 | Adrian Morejon |
| 4 | Dylan Lee |
| 5 | Luke Weaver |
| 6 | Abner Uribe |
| 7 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 8 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 9 | Brent Headrick |
| 10 | Steven Okert |
| 11 | Gabe Speier |
| 12 | George Soriano |
| 13 | Brooks Raley |
| 14 | Fernando Cruz |
| 15 | Andrew Morris |
| 16 | Michael Petersen |
| 17 | Mason Montgomery |
| 18 | Garrett Cleavinger |
| 19 | Alex Vesia |
| 20 | Tyler Rogers |
| 21 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 22 | Jakob Junis |
| 23 | Kevin Kelly |
| 24 | Dylan Dodd |
| 25 | Jusitn Slaten |
| 26 | Cole Sulser |
| 27 | Brock Burke |
| 28 | Juan Morillo |
| 29 | Didier Fuentes |
| 30 | Orion Kerkering |
| 31 | Jonathan Bowlan |
| 32 | Aaron Ashby |
| 33 | Tyron Guerrero |
| 34 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 35 | Ryne Stanek |
| 36 | Samy Natera Jr. |
| 37 | Brandyn Garcia |
| 38 | Jordan Hicks |
| 39 | Paul Blackburn |
| 40 | Bradegly Rodriguez |
AL-Only RP Rankings for Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Cade Smith |
| 2 | Bryan Baker |
| 3 | David Bednar |
| 4 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 5 | Louis Varland |
| 6 | Jacob Latz |
| 7 | Josh Hader |
| 8 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 9 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 10 | Tyler Wells |
| 11 | Kenley Jansen |
| 12 | Grant Taylor |
| 13 | Ryan Zeferjahn |
| 14 | Alex Lange |
| 15 | Hogan Harris |
| 16 | Steven Cruz |
| 17 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 18 | Andrew Kittredge |
| 19 | Andrew Morris |
| 20 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 21 | Luis Medina |
| 22 | Paul Blackburn |
| 23 | Jakob Junis |
| 24 | Kevin Kelly |
| 25 | Bryan Hudson |
NL-Only RP Rankings for Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Jhoan Duran |
| 3 | Trevor Megill |
| 4 | Devin Williams |
| 5 | Riley O’Brien |
| 6 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 7 | Paul Sewald |
| 8 | Emilio Pagán |
| 9 | Edwin Díaz |
| 10 | Mason Montgomery |
| 11 | Jordan Romano |
| 12 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 13 | Clayton Beeter |
| 14 | Gregory Soto |
| 15 | Jacob Webb |
| 16 | Tanner Scott |
| 17 | Erik Miller |
| 18 | Luke Weaver |
| 19 | Abner Uribe |
| 20 | Caleb Kilian |
| 21 | Aaron Ashby |
| 22 | Gavin Hollowell |
| 23 | Carmen Mlodzinski |
| 24 | Adrian Morejon |
| 25 | Juan Morillo |
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: