It’s a dirty word in the fantasy community, but closer-by-committee approaches are more prevalent across the board than in past seasons. Fantasy managers and many relievers prefer defined roles during the high-leverage innings. However, over the last two seasons, only eight relievers have recorded at least 30 saves:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/IU2LU/1/
Projecting bullpen hierarchies becomes more difficult as a result. Almost one-third of our hierarchies have an asterisk attached, indicating the potential for shared save situations. These are the focus of this post, with eyes on other potentially turbulent leverage ladders in the upcoming season.
American League
For the first time in MLB history, the Tigers have three relievers on the roster who all recorded at least 20 saves in the previous season. Kenley Jansen only needs two saves to tie Lee Smith for third place all-time, but 24 to become the third reliever in history with 500 career saves. He may open the year as the primary save share as a result, but performance will dictate how A.J. Hinch deploys him, Kyle Finnegan, and Will Vest during save situations.
While Robert Stephenson and Ben Joyce continue preparing for their season debuts, neither is assured of being ready by Opening Day. This opens the door for Kirby Yates and Drew Pomeranz to possibly share save chances once games begin. With health, Joyce may lead the team in saves at the end of the year, but there may be turnover throughout the season in the ninth inning.
It’s not another Jurassic Park sequel, though this bullpen feels like it may need a geriatric ward. After the trade deadline last year, the Twins only converted eight saves by five different relievers, with only Justin Topa (four) recording more than one. In response, Minnesota brought back Taylor Rogers and signed Liam Hendriks as a non-roster invitee. These moves would be terrific if it were 2022, but both have seen sharp declines in velocity. Experience can matter, but how many save chances will this leverage ladder provide and secure? Will the team shift a starting pitcher into a relief role?
After declining a team option for Pete Fairbanks, it appears that the Rays will return to their matchup-based approach in the late innings. Banking on a Griffin Jax rebound makes sense, and he’s the preferred option based on early average draft position. However, Kevin Cash has asserted roles may not be defined, which puts Garrett Cleavinger into the mix, and if his shoulder is healthy, Edwin Uceta. However, Uceta will be consulting a doctor, which may make Bryan Baker the third member of a high-leverage triumvirate.
Early reports centered on Alexis Díaz being in the competition at camp for the closer role, but recent reports are more centered on Robert Garcia and Chris Martin. Plus, if Jacob Latz does not win a spot in the rotation, he enters the high-leverage blender as well for the new manager, Skip Schumaker. Díaz has the most career saves, but his velocity this spring will be paramount for earning a larger leverage role. Garcia has terrific underlying statistics, until one sees his save situation splits. Martin will be entering his Age-40 season and has averaged 46 innings over the last three years. Feeling lucky?
Trading Mason Miller put this bullpen’s roles into disarray. After the trade deadline, the A’s recorded 10 more saves by five different relievers. Hogan Harris returns; he led the team with four saves from August through the end of the season. The A’s also signed Mark Leiter Jr. and Scott Barlow. Justin Sterner finished with 13 scoreless outings in his last 15 games of 2025, recording a win and a team-high seven holds. His 33:4 K:BB over his last 25.2 innings should not be ignored, but he was not called upon for a save. Mark Kotsay has not named a closer, and may not this season. Spring performances and usage patterns may provide insight into how relievers will be deployed in 2026.
National League
Torey Lovullo’s wheel-of-save chances resulted in the team’s MLB record with 17 relievers recording a save for the team last year. This pattern may continue at the onset of 2026 while the team treads water, awaiting the returns of A.J. Puk (June?) and Justin Martinez (August). Lovullo has indicated that there is no plan right now, mentioning Kevin Ginkel, Paul Sewald, and Ryan Thompson as capable of closing out games. A strong spring could catapult Jonathan Loáisiga or Drey Jameson into the mix for saves. Those in leagues with injured list spots can stash Puk, our advised option for this team right now.
Back with improved mechanics and seeking redemption, Ryan Walker should open the season as the closer. If his struggles in save situations persist, first-time manager Tony Vitello may require a change. He has also indicated that matchups will be a part of his late-inning process. There are reports that the Giants may convert starting pitching prospects into relievers, which must be monitored closely this spring.
Once again, the fantasy community set its sights on Riley O’Brien as the closer for 2026. However, the team has not traded JoJo Romero, and in this post by Chuck King for MLB.com, as many as four relievers are in the mix for saves. This puts the focus on Matt Svanson and Ryne Stanek, though Svanson could gain the advantage as the leverage complement to Romero that O’Brien filled at the end of 2025. This puts the Cardinals in our crosshairs during spring training or until Oli Marmol announces his leverage plans.
The good news is that since joining the Natonals on August 5, Clayton Beeter had one save, nine holds, a 2.49 ERA, and a .116 opponents’ batting average over 21.1 innings. However, can he carry over this success into 2026 with a negative K-BB percentage with his fastball and a 1.54 WHIP against left-handed hitters in his limited sample? Two non-roster invitees may break camp with the team if they pitch well this spring: Cionel Pérez and Drew Smith. The biggest question for the closer of the future will be the role Jarlin Susana fills in the majors. If he’s a reliever, he could be a dominant closer. As a starting pitcher, he may struggle. Stay tuned.
Closer Monkey’s Emails
Going forward, the daily emails have changed. Those interested in daily free updates with links should subscribe to our Substack page.
Those interested in our premium option, please use this LINK, it is $30 and covers the season. This will also be run via Substack for 2026. Please include your preferred email address, and we will manually add you to our ad-free list.
Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: