Closer Monkey | 2026
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Updated Closer Monkey Rankings | 2.23.2026
There are slight tweaks in the rankings based on the recent news cycle. These will continue to evolve as teams make decisions about reliever roles, but this will be a process. We have only just begun. As for the closer rankings, it’s difficult because many teams may share save opportunities, they could change by the…
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Spring Situations Worth Monitoring | 2.20.2026
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…
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Updated Closer Monkey Rankings | 2.2.2026
After posting early closer rankings in tiered form, with pitchers reporting soon, it’s time to expand the process. There will be a top-40 relievers for saves leagues, though some teams will not have a representative, and a first run of SOLDS rankings. For the SOLDS rankings, my saves-plus-holds projections are combined with ATC in SGP…
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Closer Monkey Rankings | Second Run (1.19.2026)
Although the top free agents have signed, there will be more roster changes across the league. Fantasy managers prefer clarity, but committees or match-up-based bullpens make ranking some relievers challenging. In the second run of the top 40 relievers for saves-only leagues, there will be multiple relievers from some teams, while others may not be…
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Player Profile 2026 | Carlos Estévez
It has been a quiet news cycle for closers in the new year. However, Tuesday featured an announcement by the Royals that they will be moving in the fences at Kauffman Field: Carlos Estévez was already a candidate for regression in 2026, and this news does not help. His PullAIR percentage rose by almost three…
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