Catching up with the recent news cycles, there have been numerous free agent signings and alterations to bullpen hierarchies in the National League. As of this writing on December 15, roles can change, but here are our adjusted outlooks for the upcoming season.
- Additions: None
- Projected 2026 Closer: TBD
- Watch List: Brandyn Garcia
Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk may return at some point this season, but they may need an adjustment period before resuming high-leverage appearances. Arizona remains active in free agency and potential trades, hoping to avoid last year’s MLB record-setting season during which the team had 17 different pitchers record a save.
- Additions: Raisel Iglesias (re-signed to a 1-year deal); Robert Suarez
- Projected 2026 Closer: Raisel Iglesias
There may be further additions to the leverage ladder, but Iglesias signed a one-year, $16 million contract and has been named the closer despite the team signing Suarez to a three-year deal. But the leash for Iglesias will be much shorter this season, especially if he goes through another rough patch.
- Additions: Phil Maton; Hoby Milner
- Projected 2026 Closer: Daniel Palencia
As currently constructed, the Cubs will slot Palencia into the closer role, but staying there depends on how he performs this season and his health. Chicago may add at least two more relievers before the season begins. A dark horse could be Ben Brown if he’s transitioned into a one-inning reliever.
- Addition: Emilio Pagan (re-signed to a two-year deal)
- Projected 2026 Closer: Emilio Pagan
After emerging as the closer in 2025, can Pagan repeat his success?
- Projected 2026 Closer: Victor Vodnik
Under new management and with relievers of interest from the trade deadline last year, could the Rockies restock their minor leagues by trading relief pitchers? A healthy Seth Halvorsen and improvements by his teammates may make this leverage ladder better than years past.
- Addition: Edwin Diaz (signed a three-year contract)
- Projected 2026 Closer: Edwin Diaz
Andrew Friedman is not once bitten and twice shy. Following mixed results by Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates last season, the team added Diaz to the highest average annual value for a reliever in MLB history. Scott will be a set-up reliever in 2026.
- Projected 2026 Closer: Pete Fairbanks
Fairbanks stabilized a fluid match-ups based approach in Tampa Bay, and should do the same for the Marlins this season. In 2024 and 2025, he recorded 50 of the Rays’ 86 saves. However, he did not fit within the team’s financial constraints.
Miami represents an ideal landing spot for the oft-injured reliever with Raynaud’s Syndrome. Here are his results and aggregate average for the last three seasons:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/nI8if/1/
This represents a baseline for 2026, and if he surpasses 50 innings, he could record 25 saves, barring a trade. (Updated on December 24, 2025)
- Projected 2026 Closer: Trevor Megill (for now)
Part of the smaller market philosophy remains trading players at their peak value. Megill has been in the rumor mill over the last two weeks, and could be traded since the team believes Abner Uribe is ready to take over as the closer. He recorded seven saves and a major league-leading 37 holds in 2025. If Megill’s traded, Uribe takes over as the closer.
- Projected 2026 Closer: Devin Williams
If the team re-signed Díaz, Williams was slated for a set-up role. This could resurface if the team trades for Mason Miller (LINK), but it’s only discussions right now, not anything fantasy players can rely on. Plan on Williams in the ninth with the caveat that it could change if the team makes a big deal with San Diego.
- Projected 2026 Closer: Jhoan Duran
Acquiring Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline has rendered the “floating closer” concept useless. He converted 15 of 17 save chances after joining the Phillies and stabilized the bullpen. He will be one of the first relievers taken in drafts next year.
- Addition: Gregory Soto
- Projected 2026 Closer: Dennis Santana
Santana remains the preferred save option unless the team adds a veteran with closer experience, but the reliever market has been moving quickly. If the team struggles, Santana could be moved ahead of the trade deadline. He’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2026.
- Projected 2026 Closer: Mason Miller
Robert Suarez opted out of his contract, and the team prefers keeping Miller as the closer, so he takes over the ninth inning. He posted a 0.77 ERA in 22 games for San Diego with 45 strikeouts versus ten walks. He also led the team with the most 100 miles per hour or faster pitches (158) despite his 23.1 innings after his acquisition.
- Projected 2026 Closer: Ryan Walker
It’s tough endorsing Walker as the closer when seeing these splits:
- During save situations, he owned a 7.04 ERA but posted a 2.50 ERA across his 44 non-save appearances.
- He also had a 2.35 ERA at home versus a 5.87 ERA during road contests.
As the roster stands, he’s slotted in as the closer. However, it would not be a surprise to see the team bring in competition for the ninth inning.
- Projected 2026 Closer: Riley O’Brien
- Wild Card: Matt Svanson
In 19 of his 20 appearances after the All-Star break, O’Brien entered during the eighth or ninth inning. He recorded 12 games finished, including six in his last seven outings in 2025. He finished with a 3-1 record while converting six of nine save opportunities.
However, repeating breakouts with a K-BB percentage below 12 (11.6 in 2025) and a swinging strike rate below 11 percent may be difficult. It can happen, but here are the relievers with a K-BB percentage below 12 and 20 or more saves since 2021:
Link: https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/BJWyi
- Projected 2026 Closer: TBD
Trading Jose A. Ferrer to Seattle sent this leverage ladder into a shared save situation. Clayton Beeter, PJ Poulin, and Cole Henry worked in high-leverage situations at the end of 2025. Jackson Rutledge could also be in the mix for saves during a spring competition.
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Statistical Credits:
