Looking ahead as the season winds down can offer insight into what to watch for in the remaining games while you start preparing for 2027. This alone can cause anxiety, as looming labor relations could affect the total number of games played. Like the projected closers for some teams, this is out of fantasy managers’ hands, so we can only hope for the best.
These closer projections aren’t guaranteed, but they can help narrow candidates for some teams, along with pending free agents and relievers with listed clauses.
National League
East
- Projected Closer in 2027: Robert Suarez
- Pending Free Agents: Raisel Iglesias; Joe Jiménez; Brent Suter
- RPs with a Clause: None
On the cusp of his age-36 season, how Suarez does when he returns from being shut down and during the playoffs may go a long way toward how the bullpen gets addressed for 2027. Through 31 games this season, he has a 0.56 ERA, accompanied by a 3.35 SIERA and a 3.31 xERA, which could be baselines for next season.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Ronny Henriquez
- Pending Free Agents: Pete Fairbanks
- RPs with a Clause: None
When healthy, Clayton McCullough used Fairbanks like a closer. However, when he was on the injured list, last year’s fluid usage patterns resurfaced. A wild card will be Ronny Henriquez’s progression after Tommy John surgery. He’s throwing but could be an intriguing save option when he returns.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Devin Williams
- Pending Free Agents: None
- RPs with a Clause: None
Sellers at the deadline, the team moved four relievers, two on expiring contracts. What will be tracked closely by fantasy managers, what role Kodai Senga fills next year. Will he be a reliever or a starting pitcher? Williams did not meet expectations in his first year with the Mets, so his leash may be shorter than it seems despite being a David Stearns guy. Health has been an issue, but Dedniel Núñez should be considered a dark horse for saves in 2027.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Jhoan Duran
- Pending Free Agents: José Alvarado; Tim Mayza; Brooks Raley
- RPs with a Clause: None
Adding Duran at the deadline last year was a slam dunk. Through his first 75 appearances with the Phillies, he’s 3-6 with 45 saves, a 1.014 WHIP, and 96 strikeouts versus 10 walks (30.3 K-BB%) across 71 innings.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Jarlin Susana
- Pending Free Agents: None
- RPs with a Clause: Max Kranick (Team – $850K)
Segue alert, and a bit of spice in these predictions. Duran was an oft-injured starting pitching prospect that converted into a reliever for the Twins, then took off like a rocket ship. Susana’s velocity is combined with a filthy slider. He’s considered one of the best starting pitcher prospects because of his arsenal and command. However, health remains a hurdle, and one of the Nationals’ biggest needs is a lockdown closer. Destiny is calling, and Susana may fit the bill. If he remains a starting pitcher, keep tabs on Ben Grable. He was acquired from the Yankees and could be a leverage option as 2027 progresses.
Central
- Projected Closer in 2027: Daniel Palencia
- Pending Free Agents: Aaron Civale
- RPs with a Clause: Jacob Webb (Team – $2.5M)
Recency bias may make fantasy players wary of Palencia, but his performance during the WBC should not be forgotten. He also converted 22 of 25 save chances in 2025. However, if he misses time again next year, the injury-prone label will surface, making him a high-risk, high-reward play for 2027.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Emilio Pagán
- Pending Free Agents: Brock Burke
- RPs with a Clause: Emilio Pagán (Player – $10M); Pierce Johnson (Mutual – $8M)
Based on his relationship with Terry Francona and the security of his role with the Reds, I am projecting Pagán to trigger his player clause and remain with the team. Over the last two years, he has 52 saves through 107 appearances.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Trevor Megill
- Pending Free Agents: JoJo Romero
- RPs with a Clause: Antonio Senzatela (Team – $14M)
How the team handles the roster will depend on their postseason performance. Megill will be a free agent at the end of next year, and there have been whispers about him being moved in the past. The Brewers crave player control and may flip him for a prospect package or a pitcher of interest they can convert into a leverage option. If this happens, Abner Uribe moves into the spotlight as the closer.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Mason Montgomery
- Pending Free Agents: Gregory Soto; Kirby Yates
- RPs with a Clause: None
Putting the matchups-based approach aside, Montgomery has taken over as the closer this year and will reprise the role next year. Between June 29 and September 1, he has allowed two earned runs and been scoreless in 25 of 26 appearances, collecting four wins and converting seven saves while posting a 0.64 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and seven walks (40.9 K-BB%) across 25 innings.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Riley O’Brien
- Pending Free Agents: None
- RPs with a Clause: None
It’s tough going against a closer who has converted 35 saves through his first 57 games this season. There have been some bumps in the road, and his second half may guide next year. Here are his updated splits through games played on September 2:
Luis Gastelum could be a wild card in 2027.
West
- Projected Closer in 2027: Justin Martinez
- Pending Free Agents: Taylor Clarke; Jonathan Loáisiga; Derek Law; Dennis Santana; Ryan Thompson; A.J. Puk
- RPs with a Clause: None
With a full offseason cleared from his Tommy John surgery, Martinez should be back as the closer. He signed a team-friendly contract and will have runway in the role. Breakouts by Juan Morillo and Brandyn Garcia this year help form a strong triumvirate they can build a leverage ladder around, but depth will be needed given how many relievers will be free agents.
- Projected Closer in 2027: TBD
- Pending Free Agents: Jordan Romano
- RPs with a Clause: None
A reliever rarely has a rebound with the Rockies, but Romano did just that. He has a strong relationship with the team’s bullpen coach, Matt Buschmann, after working together in Toronto, as covered in this post by Thomas Harding for MLB.com. Leaving this as TBD but anticipating Romano returns to Colorado for next season, which will stabilize a young cache of arms in the bullpen.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Edwin Díaz
- Pending Free Agents: Evan Phillips; Blake Treinen; Alex Vesia; Brusdar Graterol
- RPs with a Clause: None
Things went off the rails early on for Díaz this year, and his return from having loose bodies in his elbow removed did not go smoothly either. He will be the closer next season, but his outings in spring will be monitored closely by fantasy managers.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Mason Miller
- Pending Free Agents: Jason Adam; Adrian Morejon
- RPs with a Clause: Kyle Hart (Team – $2.5M)
If the team loses Morejon, this bullpen will feel the impact, but any team with Miller as the closer will take its chances. Bradgley Rodriguez has emerged as a closer of the future, and if the team rebuilds or retools, he may get a chance in the role if it moves Miller to restock the prospect pool.
- Projected Closer in 2027: Randy Rodríguez
- Pending Free Agents: JT Brubaker
- RPs with a Clause: Rowan Wick (Team – $800K)
It’s been baptism by fire for Tony Vitello as a major league manager. He was not helped by the lack of talent in his bullpen. Dylan Smith could be a reliable setup reliever, but he’s not a prototypical closer. How the leverage ladder gets rebuilt may signal how the team’s approaching next season, but getting a closer or more reliable leverage relievers must be a priority. Plus, a healthy Rodríguez could yield the preferred save share with a strong spring or when he’s ready to return.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
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