Ranking players before free-agent signings or trades remains risky. No one can guarantee how many games MLB plays or whether relievers will stay on their current team, but it’s a challenging and fruitful exercise nonetheless. These are open to interpretation, and if you feel differently about a player, target him accordingly.
Tier One
Mason Miller (SDP)
- Set a career high in innings (69) this season. Converted all 25 save chances in the first half, and his career-high 38 saves tied Riley O’Brien for the most in the NL.
- He has converted 88 of 98 save opportunities (89.8 percent) in his career.
- Per Baseball Savant, this season he ranked in the 100th percentile league-wide in xERA (1.70), xBA (.138), whiff rate (45.3 percent), fastball velocity (101.4 miles per hour), and strikeout rate (47.4 percent).
- He threw 518 pitches at 100.0-plus miles per hour this year, more than any other bullpen combined.
Cade Smith (CLE)
- Recorded 100 strikeouts for a third consecutive season. He and Mason Miller are the only two MLB relievers with 100-plus strikeouts in each of the last three years.
- His 41 saves tied Bryan Baker for the most in the Majors. Smith’s the only Cleveland reliever with 40 or more saves and 100 or more strikeouts in a season, and the first in MLB since Kirby Yates (2019).
- His 107 strikeouts ranked tied for third among all MLB relievers.
- Since 2024, his 219 appearances tie for the second-most among all relievers, and he’s second in strikeouts (314) in this time frame.
Tier Two
Jhoan Duran (PHI)
- In his first full season with the Phillies, he earned his first All-Star bid and set a career high with 33 saves, becoming the first Phillie with at least 30 since Yeanmar Gómez (37 in 2016).
- Rankings among NL relievers: second in K/BB ratio (8.4), FIP (1.41), and ERA (1.82); third in strikeout percentage (35.6), fourth in saves and K/9 (12.74).
- Per Statcast, he ranked in the 100th percentile in xERA (2.06), the 99th percentile in walk rate (4.2 percent), fastball velocity (100.5 miles per hour), and groundball rate (59.4 percent); in the 98th percentile in strikeout rate and whiff rate (35.7 percent); and the 96th percentile in xBA (.187) and barrel rate (3.7 percent).
David Bednar (FA) – tendered a qualifying offer by the Yankees.
- Set career highs in wins (7) and innings (69.1) this season.
- Among MLB relievers, he was tied for fifth in saves (35), tied for sixth in wins, and ranked 10th in save percentage (89.7 percent).
- Since 2022, he has ranked fifth among all relievers in saves (143) and ninth in save percentage (87.2 percent).
- As a Yankee, he owns an 11-3 record, converting 45 of 52 save chances with a 1.011 WHIP, an 111:29 KBB (21.8 K-BB%), and a 2.57 FIP over 86 games and 94 innings.
Louis Varland (TOR)
- Ranked first in ERA (1.27) among all MLB relievers in 2026 and tied for third in saves (35) in the American League.
- Became the eighth pitcher in team history with at least 35 saves in a season (tenth occurrence), and his ERA is the lowest in franchise history.
- He finished tied for sixth in the AL in strikeout rate (31.6 percent) among qualified relievers.
- Posted a career-best 55.6 percent ground ball rate.
- Averaged 98.8 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball, the third-highest mark in the AL (minimum 350 pitches), trailing only Andrés Muñoz (99.87 MPH) and Jordan Hicks (99.4 MPH).
Josh Hader (HOU)
- Converted all 26 save chances this season. He’s the seventh pitcher in MLB history to post at least 26 saves without a blown opportunity; the last was Ken Giles (2018 – 26 saves).
- Among MLB relievers from his season debut on June 3 through the end of the regular season, he ranked first in opponent batting average (.125), second in ERA (1.01), and third in WHIP (0.76). He also ranked eighth among AL relievers in K/9 (11.08) (minimum of 40 innings).
- He missed the team’s first 61 games due to left triceps tendinitis.
Mason Montgomery (PIT)
- Recorded 25 consecutive scoreless appearances (24.2 IP) from July 27 to September 24.
- He converted 17 straight saves from July 11 (Game 2) to September 24, the third-longest streak within a season by a Pirates left-handed reliever, trailing Mike Gonzalez (24, 2006) and Felipe Vázquez (24, 2018).
- His 97 strikeouts in relief were tied with Louis Varland for the ninth-most among MLB relievers. Only Aroldis Chapman recorded more strikeouts (98) as a left-handed reliever for Pittsburgh in 2024.
- Earned the Reliever of the Month in the National League in September after securing 11 saves and posting a 2.08 ERA with 16 strikeouts, a .174 batting average against, and a 0.92 WHIP across 16 innings.
Tier Three
Edwin Díaz (LAD)
- Finished his first season as a Dodger with a 2-2 record and an 8.68 ERA (18 ER/18.2 IP) while recording seven saves.
- Since returning from the injured list on September 8, turned in five scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out nine. He retired the last 12 batters he faced, seven via strikeout.
- He was activated off the injured list on July 29 after missing 85 games while having loose bodies removed from his elbow.
- Is 38th all-time in saves with 260 and is fifth among active relievers: Kenley Jansen (498), Craig Kimbrel (441), Aroldis Chapman (402), and Raisel Iglesias (287).
Andrés Muñoz (SEA)
- Has recorded 75-plus strikeouts in four seasons (2022, 2024-26), the most in franchise history, ahead of Edwin Díaz (3, 2016-18), Arthur Rhodes (2000-02), and Bobby Ayala (3, 1994-95, 1997).
- Recorded his 102nd save with the Mariners to surpass J.J. Putz (101 saves) for sole ownership of the third-most in team history. Only Kazuhiro Sasaki (129) and Díaz (109) have more.
- Muñoz has recorded 20-plus saves in three consecutive seasons, joining Sasaki (2000-02).
Aroldis Chapman (BOS)
- Is MLB’s all-time leader in relief strikeouts (1,402) and ranks ninth all-time in saves (402).
- Ranked tied for third in the American League with 35 saves.
- His 35 saves were his most since 2019 with the Yankees (37) and marked his tenth season with 30 or more saves, tying Lee Smith for the third-most all-time behind Mariano Rivera (15) and Trevor Hoffman (14).
Raisel Iglesias (FA)
- Over the last three years, he has led baseball with 99 saves. Since 2017, his 604 appearances also lead all major league relievers.
- From July through the end of the regular season, he recorded three wins, two saves, and 12 holds with a 1.095 WHIP and 56 strikeouts versus 10 walks (27.4 K-BB%) across 42 innings.
- Has recorded at least 30 saves in six seasons and, since his Braves debut on August 5, 2022, his 131 total saves are the most among active pitchers in baseball.
Trevor Megill (MIL)
- Ranked fifth in the National League in saves while matching his career high with 30 in 2026.
- Became the fourth pitcher in franchise history to have back-to-back 30-save seasons.
- From June 16 to September 18, he converted all 20 save opportunities.
Tier Four
Devin Williams (NYM)
- Appeared in 44 games and went 3-2 with 16 saves, a 4.43 ERA, and 52 strikeouts in his first season with the Mets.
- His 16 saves were tied for the 11th most in the National League.
- Among NL relievers with at least 100 batters faced, his 11.51 K/9 was the 13th best.
- Was placed on the 15-day injured list on August 10 and returned on September 22 with a right shoulder strain.
- His underlying numbers remain strong, but his WHIP since the second half of last year and health concerns since being sidelined with a back issue in Milwaukee cannot be ignored.
Bryan Baker (TBR)
- Joined Alex Colomé (2017) as the only Rays to pace the majors in saves, tying Cade Smith atop the leaderboard with 41 in 2026. Also set career marks in ERA (1.44), opponents’ average (.161), and WHIP (0.91).
- Converted each of his 30 save opportunities from May 17 on, surpassing Fernando Rodney (22) in 2021 for the longest streak in team history.
- Became the fourth pitcher since holds were introduced in 1986 to record 40 saves or more, four wins or more, and multiple holds (2) in a season, joining Brad Boxberger (2015 – TB), Drew Storen (WSH – 2011), and Neftali Feliz (2010 – TEX).
- His velocities by month, courtesy of Brooks Baseball:
Emilio Pagán (FA)
- Became the 10th Red since 1969 with 25-plus saves in back-to-back seasons (last: Alexis Díaz, 2023-24). Pagán converted each of his last 19 save opportunities this season, the longest such streak of his career, tied for the third-longest active run in MLB.
- His 19 saves from July 1 through the end of the season were tied for the National League lead and for second-most in MLB (Bryan Baker 20) in that time.
- Over his last 30 appearances, he recorded 34 strikeouts to just five walks (25.9 K-BB%).
- Recorded a win or a save in a career-high 12 consecutive games between July 21 and August 19.
- Missed time on the injured list from May 6 through June 29 (left hamstring strain).
Jacob Latz (TEX)
- He became the first left-handed pitcher to record a 30-save campaign in franchise history since the statistic was introduced in 1969. He’s also only the second Texas pitcher with at least saves in the last 10 years (Kirby Yates notched 33 in 2024).
- He converted 25 of his last 27 save chances, including 16 straight from May 26 through July 28.
- Led all MLB relievers in saves requiring at least four outs (13) and saves of two-innings-plus (7), also most in the Majors since Josh Hader’s nine such saves in 2019. Latz, Hader, and Taylor Rogers are the only three relievers with at least seven two-inning saves in a season since 1993.
- His 2.13 ERA finished tied for ninth among all American League pitchers with at least 50 innings in 2026.
Grant Taylor (CHW)
- Set career highs in wins (7), saves (10), games (60), innings (84), and strikeouts (106).
- Went 7-3 with a 2.39 ERA and a 101:30 K:BB over 56 games as a reliever.
- In four starts, recorded five strikeouts with a .063 batting average against (1-for-16) over five innings.
- Ranked 11th in K/9 (11.51) among American League relievers.
- Became the sixth White Sox reliever with at least 100 strikeouts in a season, joining Goose Gossage (1975), Keith Foulke (1999), Liam Hendriks (2021), Hoyt Wilhelm (1965), and Terry Forster (1972 and 1974).
Tier Five
Robert Suarez (ATL)
- At the time of his injury, he ranked in the 90th percentile or better in chase rate (99th percentile, 38.8 percent), average exit velocity (98th percentile, 84.9 miles per hour), walk rate (96th percentile, 5%), and barrel rate (95th percentile, 3.4%).
- Only six relievers have a lower WHIP than Suarez’s 0.97 since 2024.
Félix Bautista (BAL)
- “The Mountain” rose to prominence in 2023, recording 33 saves in dominant fashion. However, he’s undergone Tommy John surgery, battled through a shoulder issue and finally returned for two appearances with the Orioles in 2026. Can he handle the workload of a closer? What will his average fastball velocity be next season?
Justin Martinez (ARI)
- Threw an immaculate inning on August 12 against the Pirates, becoming the fifth Diamondbacks pitcher to do so.
- Averaged 101.6 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball, using the pitch 36.2 percent of the time in 2026.
- Finished with three wins and one loss while posting a 1.13 WHIP with 18 strikeouts against 10 walks (14.5 K-BB%), a 10.8 percent swinging strike rate, and a 56.5 strike percentage.
- He has converted 14 of his 17 career save chances.
Daniel Palencia (CHC)
- After allowing seven runs in a four-game span from August 25 to September 2, he did not allow an earned run over his last eight appearances (September 6-on – 8.2 IP).
- Was on the injured list from June 16 to August 21 with right elbow inflammation.
- His 25 saves since the beginning of 2025 are the 10th most among National League relievers, and he ranks in the 98th percentile this year in average fastball velocity (99.2 miles per hour).
Riley O’Brien (STL)
- Tied for first in saves (38) in the National League and blown saves (8) and had the most losses (9). Was tied for ninth in save percentage (82.6 percent), tied for second in games finished (54), and tied for fifth in wild pitches (7).
- Became the 12th Cardinal with a 30-save season (23rd in franchise history), and his 38 saves tied for the 11th most in a season.
- St. Louis went 53-13 in his outings; the last two Cardinals to appear in 50-plus wins were Ryan Helsley (59) and Andrew Kittredge (53) in 2024.
Kenley Jansen (FA)
- Finished 2026 without allowing an earned run over his last 12 appearances while converting six saves.
- Earned his 22nd save on September 25 and the 498th of his career. He has recorded at least 20 saves in 14 seasons, the third most in MLB history. (Mariano Rivera, 16, and Trevor Hoffman, 15).
- Was placed on the 15-day injured list (pelvic inflammation) on May 28 and returned on June 12.
Adrian Morejon (FA) – tendered a qualifying offer from San Diego
- He threw 216 pitches at 100.0-plus miles per hour, the fourth most in the Majors and more than all but three other bullpens combined (LAD, BOS, and PHI).
- Set a career high with 28 holds, which also ranked second in the NL and tied for sixth in the Majors.
- Reached the 100-strikeout plateau (107 total) for the first time in his career.
- With a 9-3 record this season, he leads all MLB relievers with 22 wins since the start of 2025, ahead of Aaron Ashby (18), Jeff Hoffman (15), and Orion Kerkering (15).
Bryan Abreu (FA)
- Despite a rough start to his season, he set single-season career highs in wins (6) and saves (9) while recording 80 strikeouts across 62.2 innings.
- From May 3 through the end of the regular season, he went 6-2 with eight saves and a 2.19 ERA (13 ER/53.1 IP) with 64 strikeouts, a 1.11 WHIP, and a .181 opponent batting average against.
Jeff Hoffman (MIN)
- Became the 15th Twins reliever with a save on September 22, closing out a win over the Giants.
- On September 19, he became the first American League reliever with 100 strikeouts this season and finished fifth among his peers with 102.
- Posted a 1.63 ERA (38.2 IP/6 ER) with 55 strikeouts and 20 walks over his last 41 games, since June 9, 2026.
Ben Joyce (LAA)
- He threw his team’s 67 fastest pitches of 2026, topping out at 104.5 miles per hour (August 15 vs. Kansas City) since his return on August 5. Of his 263 pitches this year, 131 (49.8 percent) were at or above 100 miles per hour.
- His five saves led the team this season.
- Did not allow an earned run in 12 of 16 appearances but he missed 112 games before his debut because of right shoulder inflammation.
Just Missed
- Randy Rodríguez (SFG) – Health/Role
- Ronny Henriquez (MIA) – Health/Role
On the Radar
- Aaron Ashby; Abner Uribe (MIL) – If Megill gets traded
- Didier Fuentes (ATL) – Role?
- Ryan Watson (LAA) – Joyce’s health
- Will Vest; Drew Sommers (DET)
Ancillary Save Options
- Ryan Helsley (BAL)
- Ryan Zeferjahn (CHC)
- Dedniel Núñez; Kodai Senga (NYM)
- Brandyn Garcia; Juan Morillo (ARI)
- Hogan Harris; Elvis Alvarado (ATH)
- Andrew Morris (MIN)
Free Agents with Closer Experience
- Evan Phillips
- Pete Fairbanks
- Jordan Romano
- Gregory Soto
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: