Jake McGee should start the season as closer; Dylan Floro is battling an injury

March 30, 2022

San Francisco Giants – Gabe Kapler said that Jake McGee would begin the season as closer.  We will move McGee to the head of the committee, but we still think that Camilo Doval is in the mix for saves.  

Updated hierarchy: *McGee | Doval | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – Dylan Floro is dealing with some arm soreness and might not be ready for opening day.  He has not been shut down so there is still a chance he can get himself in a position to pitch opening day, but if he misses any time, Anthony Bender could see some save chances to start the year.

Hierarchy remains: Floro | Bender | Bass.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Manager Dave Roberts has said that Blake Treinen will not be used as a traditional closer and now Treinen has said he prefers the flexible role.  We will see how this plays out but it sounds like Daniel Hudson and maybe even Brusdar Graterol could see more save chances and that’s bad news for Treinen fantasy owners.  

Updated hierarchy: *Treinen | Hudson | Graterol.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres — Bob Melvin has said he wants to name a closer by the start of the season but he might end up with a committee to start the season.  Robert Suarez and Emilio Pagan are likely to be part of that committee but one guy to keep an eye on is Dinelson Lamet.  We have seen a number of starters move to the bullpen with great success and Lamet has a chance to be another example of that.  We will slide Lamet onto the hierarchy and continue to monitor this situation — which, yes, also includes Pierce Johnson, the Curveball King.

Updated hierarchy: *Suarez | Pagan | Lamet.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — Pete Fairbanks is likely to miss at least a few months with a lat injury, opening the high-leverage door for J.T. Chargois, J.P. Feyereisen, J.A. Happ, J.D. Drew, J.R. Smith, J.J. Watt, and, why not, maybe even J.G. Wentworth. It’s the Rays, baby, anything can happen.

Updated hierarchy: *Kittredge | Chargois | Feyereisen.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Guardians — The Guardians have brought back veteran Bryan Shaw on a one-year deal and that’s good news for their bullpen, because setup man James Karinchak is dealing with a right arm strain and will be shut down for 7-10 days.  We will move Shaw back onto the hierarchy and keep an eye on Karinchak to see if he ends up being placed on the IL.

Updated hierarchy: Clase | Karinchak | Shaw.

Top 15 Middle Relievers / Save Sleepers for 2022

March 28, 2022

Below are our top middle relievers/save sleepers for 2022. Please note that these rankings are based on traditional (saves only) leagues and are therefore weighted toward players with the best chances of getting save opportunities at some point this season. One guy who you won’t see on this list but is definitely worth keeping an eye on is Lucas Sims. We don’t consider Sims a middle reliever option because if he wasn’t injured, he would already be on top of the Reds’ hierarchy for us.

1. Paul Sewald – The Mariners’ bullpen was a big surprise last year and Paul Sewald was a major reason why. Sewald recorded eleven saves and struck out over 100 batters. Drew Steckenrider is back after recording fourteen saves last year, but Sewald is absolutely in the mix for saves and could end up heading this committee.

2. Jake McGee – Jake McGee saved 31 games with a 2.72 ERA and 0.91 WHIP last year. Young flame-throwing Camilo Doval served as the Giants’ closer in the playoffs last year and we have him at the top of the committee to start the season. At the very least, McGee should be the primary lefty in the committee, and he has the potential to be at the top of the committee if the young righty Doval struggles at all.

3. Daniel Hudson – Manager Dave Roberts has said the Dodgers don’t have a dedicated closer and that means that Daniel Hudson should receive some save opportunities even if Blake Treinen ends up leading the team in saves.

4. David Robertson – The Cubs’ bullpen is unsettled and while we give Rowan Wick the edge currently, veteran David Robertson is another option to close out games. Robertson certainly has the experience with three 30+ save seasons to his name and could end up being a decent source of saves this year.

5. Garrett Whitlock – Alex Cora might not name a closer until opening day and Matt Barnes is likely to get the first look. However, if Garrett Whitlock ends up in the bullpen again this year, he could be a multiple innings ace and that could include closing games. Barnes really struggled after the All-Star break last season so if he gets off to a rocky start, the Red Sox could turn to Whitlock.

6. Devin Williams – Devin Williams got off to a rough start last year but then was lights out starting in June. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, Williams is stuck behind arguably the best fantasy closer in Josh Hader. Williams should see some save chances this year when Hader is rested and if anything were to happen to Hader, Williams would immediately become a top 5 closer.

7. Chris Stratton – Chris Stratton is a veteran reliever who saved eight games for the Pirates last year. Stratton will be part of the committee that David Bednar is expected to lead and he could be a cheap source of saves if the Pirates decide to try and ease Bednar into the role.

8. Michael Fulmer – Michael Fulmer saved fourteen games last year and had a better ERA and a lot fewer walks than current closer Gregory Soto. If Soto stumbles at all, Fulmer showed last year that he can step in and close out games.

9. Jonathan Loaisiga – Jonathan Loaisiga had a great season for the Yankees last year and that included five saves. The Yankees should win a lot of games this year and that should mean a lot of save chances. Also, Aroldis Chapman has missed time in four of the past five seasons so that makes Loaisiga a pretty good guy to gamble on for saves among middle relievers.

10. Craig Kimbrel – There was speculation that Kimbrel might be traded this off-season and there is still a chance that could happen. If Kimbrel is traded, he would likely become the closer on his new team and that is enough of a reason to take a chance on him in fantasy leagues. He also could pick up a few saves even if he stays with the White Sox as the primary option when Liam Hendriks is unavailable.

11. Anthony Bender – Anthony Bender struck out more batters and had a lower WHIP than closer Dylan Floro last year. Also, Floro is experiencing some arm soreness and that makes Bender an attractive option to take a chance on late in your draft if you need saves.

12. Art Warren – Art Warren had a 1.29 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 34 Ks in 21 innings last year. With Lucas Sims injured to start the season, Warren is in the mix to close out games to start the season.

13. Seth Lugo – Seth Lugo is a key member of the Mets’ bullpen and although Edwin Diaz was good last year, he is only a couple of years removed from a disastrous first season with the Mets. You could do worse than Lugo as a late-round pick in deep leagues.

14. Josh Staumont – Josh Staumont had a strong season for the Royals last year and Mike Matheny has not been shy about using multiple relievers to close out games. Scott Barlow is back after a successful run as closer to finish last season but Staumont’s numbers show that he could likely handle the role as well if given the opportunity.

15. Tanner Rainey – Tanner Rainey had a forgettable 2021 season, but he showed a lot of promise in 2020 when he had a 2.66 ERA and 0.74 WHIP with 32 ks in 20.1 innings. Kyle Finnegan, who is ahead of Rainey currently, had a 1.48 WHIP last year so he is not exactly a lights-out closer. If Rainey can regain his 2020 form, he could challenge Finnegan for the closer’s role.

Hansel Robles records another save while the AL Wild Card chase could result in extra save opportunities this season

October 3, 2021

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox went to Adam Ottavino again in the 8th inning and he struggled.  Ottavino was trying to protect a one-run lead but he was pulled after allowing a double and a pair of walks while only recording one out.  After the Red Sox scored four runs in the top of the 9th and Austin Davis made a mess of things to start the bottom of the 9th, Hansel Robles came on to record the final three outs.  That’s two straight saves for Robles, while Ottavino hasn’t recorded a save in over a month.  Not that it matters much with this being the last day of the regular season, but we will move Robles to the head of this committee.

Updated hierarchy: *Robles | Ottavino | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants – Jake McGee has been activated from the IL, and will give the Giants another option to close out games.  However, with the way Camilo Doval has pitched, we will leave him atop this committee.  

Updated hierarchy: *Doval | McGee | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs — Rowan Wick struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his fifth save of the season.  Wick had a couple of very rough outings in the middle of September, but overall he performed pretty well in the closer’s role and could have a shot to start the season in that role next year.

Hierarchy remains: *Wick | Heuer | Morgan.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners – The Mariners kept their playoff hopes alive yesterday with an 8th inning rally and Drew Steckenrider closed it out for his 14th save of the season.  Steckenrider and Paul Sewald both ended up with double-digit saves for the Mariners this year and will hope for one more opportunity on the last day of the regular season, and maybe another one on Monday.

Hierarchy remains: *Steckenrider | Sewald | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves — Richard Rodriguez was trying to pick up his first save since joining the Braves as he entered the 9th inning to protect a three-run lead.  However, Rodriguez was pulled after allowing a couple of runs, and Jacob Webb came on to get the last out and record his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Smith | Rodriguez | Jackson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Barnes (BOS) – Hansel Robles has pitched in two straight and four of five while Adam Ottavino has pitched in three straight.
2. Codi Heuer (CHC) – Rowan Wick has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Craig Kimbrel (CHW) – Liam Hendriks has pitched in two straight.
4. David Bednar (PIT) – Chris Stratton has pitched in two straight.
5. Jake McGee (SF) – Camilo Doval has pitched in two straight and four of five.

Monday
1. Adam Ottavino (BOS) – If Hansel Robles pitches on Sunday and the Red Sox end up in a tie-breaker game 163 on Monday, Ottavino could see a save chance.
2. Paul Sewald (SEA) – If the Mariners end up playing a 163rd game on Monday, Sewald could be an option to save if Drew Steckenrider is needed today.

Craig Kimbrel finally gets a save for the White Sox

August 27, 2021

Kansas City Royals – Josh Staumont went on the IL Thursday, though no reason was given. Domingo Tapia, who has three holds in his last three appearances, enters the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Barlow | Davis | Tapia.

Miami Marlins – After a four-run lead became a two-run lead in the ninth inning, Dylan Floro came on to retire the only batter he faced and earn the save. Anthony Bender had maintained that four-run lead with a scoreless eighth inning and also pitched the seventh inning on Wednesday, with Floro picking up a 10th-inning win. We’ll keep an eye out to see if this was just a flukey couple of games or if Floro has truly overtaken Bender in the Miami bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: *Bender | Floro | Bass.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Jose Alvarado returned from the IL on Thursday. He should slide right back into his usual high-leverage role for the Phillies.

Updated hierarchy: Kennedy | Alvarado | Bradley.

Chicago White Sox — The Vulture Save Watch predicted that Liam Hendriks might get a second day off and that was indeed the case as Craig Kimbrel needed just six pitches (all strikes) to collect his first save with the White Sox.

Hierarchy remains: *Hendriks | Kimbrel | Kopech.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks — The Diamondbacks entered the ninth inning with an 8-3 lead, but Brett de Geus and a bad defense behind him made sure things got interesting. He was able to get two outs but departed with an 8-5 lead and a runner on second. Noe Ramirez came in, and after a walk, passed ball and single, he was able to get a strikeout to end the game and pick up the save. Amazingly, all five of the runs Arizona allowed in the ninth inning wee unearned.

Hierarchy remains: Clippard | Clarke | Ramirez.

San Francisco Giants — The Giants gave Jake McGee the night off after he threw 24 pitches on Wednesday, so Tyler Rogers converted Thursday’s save chance.

Hierarchy remains: *McGee | Rogers | Leone.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Wade Davis (KC) — After throwing 31 pitches in a blown save on Wednesday, Scott Barlow needed just eight pitches on Thursday, but still should get Friday off.
2. Chad Green (NYY) — Aroldis Chapman has pitched in three of four and Jonathan Loaisiga threw 30 pitches over two innings yesterday.

Saturday:
1. Blake Treinen/Corey Knebel (LAD) — If Kenley Jansen (or Treinen and Knebel) pitch today, that will be three of four.
2. Andres Machado/Austin Voth (WAS) — Same goes for Kyle Finnegan and Machado.

Paul Sewald moves to the top of the Seattle committee

August 18, 2021

Seattle Mariners — Paul Sewald is back from paternity leave and he’s back in the ninth inning for Seattle. He earned his fifth save of the season on Tuesday against the heart of the Rangers’ order. Diego Castillo worked the eighth, which has been the case quite a bit lately, even with Sewald on leave. We’ll slide Sewald to the top of the hierarchy and see if he continues to consistently get save chances.

Updated hierarchy: *Sewald | Castillo | Steckenrider.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs — Codi Heuer retired all six batters he faced over the final two innings to pick up his first save of the season and help the Cubs snap a 12-game losing streak. Rowan Wick struggled through the seventh inning, loading the bases before getting a strikeout and then watching Adam Morgan need just one pitch to get the Cubs out of the inning unscathed. This was just Wick’s third appearance (and first high-leverage outing) since returning from the IL, which is understandable given how bad the Cubs have been this month. We’ll hold Wick at the top of the committee for now and see if Heuer truly becomes the top option for whatever save chances the Cubs stumble into during the final weeks of the season.

Hierarchy remains: *Wick | Heuer | Rodriguez.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks — We welcome J.B. Wendelken to the Arizona hierarchy after he got the final two outs of the seventh to keep the Diamondbacks ahead by two. Taylor Clarke pitched a scoreless eighth to get the ball to Tyler Clippard for the save.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Clarke | Wendelken.

San Francisco Giants – We correctly predicted that Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers would get Tuesday off, and with two lefties and a switch hitter due up in the ninth, Gabe Kapler went with southpaw Jarlin Garcia to start the frame. Garcia retired two of the three hitters he faced before Dominic Leone came in to secure the final out and get the save. Zack Littell has been terrific for the Giants since getting called back up, picking up two saves and a win before throwing three scoreless innings on Saturday in what Kapler called a “heroic performance.” We’ll see if Littell just needed one more day of rest after that 41-pitch outing or if Leone has truly usurped Littell as the best option for saves after McGee and Rogers.

Hierarchy remains: *McGee | Rogers | Littell.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals – We thought both Scott Barlow and Jake Brentz would get Tuesday off after having pitched in two straight games, but Brentz worked his third consecutive day when he got the ninth inning with the Royals ahead of Houston, 3-1. Brentz issued two walks but also notched two strikeouts to secure the save. 

Hierarchy remains: Barlow | Brentz | Staumont.

New York Yankees – The Yankees swept a doubleheader against the Red Sox on Tuesday, allowing both Jonathan Loaisiga and Chad Green to collect a save. Loaisiga loaded the bases with nobody out in the first game of the day but recorded a Houdini to end the game. Green closed out a 2-0 win in game two to complete the sweep.

Hierarchy remains: *Loaisiga | Green | Britton.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds designated Heath Hembree for assignment on Tuesday. David Bell also announced that if all goes well during Tejay Antone’s rehab outings this week, Antone could rejoin the Reds next Tuesday.

Updated hierarchy: Givens | Lorenzen | Sims.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jose Cisnero (DET) – Gregory Soto threw 30 pitches in a rough outing yesterday.
2. Blake Treinen (LAD) – Kenley Jansen has made two straight appearances, including a 24-pitch performance yesterday. Treinen has also gone back-to-back days but threw just eight pitches on each occasion.
3. Zack Britton (NYY) – Jonathan Loaisiga threw 34 pitches over two innings yesterday while Chad Green has gone in two straight and three of four.

Tomorrow
1. Taylor Clarke (ARI) – If Tyler Clippard pitches today, that’s two straight for him.
2. Josh Staumont/Wade Davis (KC) – If Scott Barlow goes today, that’s three out of four for him. Jake Brentz has pitched in three straight and may get two days off in a row.
3. Devin Williams/Brad Boxberger (MIL) – If Josh Hader appears today, that will be two straight and three of four. The same would be true for Boxberger, while Williams has already gone in three of four. If all three have a heavy Wednesday workload, Brent Suter may get a chance.
4. Tyler Duffey (MIN) – An Alex Colome appearance today will be three of four for him.