SAGNOF: Early Bird Closer Specials, 2026 Edition

What’s poppin’, Razzpimples?

Alrighty, pards n’ pardettes, this is the time of year where, after I’ve given you a decently comprehensive glance at each bullpen’s fantasy relevance, I segue into who’s ripe for cheap picking on draft day right now. I know some of y’all are already out there drafting away, so this week is for targeting cheap saves-only fellers.

Last year, here’s whom I wrote about: Jeff Hoffman, Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, Aroldis Chapman, Calvin Faucher, Jorge Lopez, Edwin Uceta, and Tyler Kinley. Three of those were bangers. The rest…varying degrees of success, to put it kindly. As they say, batting .300 will get you into the Hall! This is why I like to pay up a little for saves. Most formats, you will not catch me drafting Mason Miller, but a guy like Ryan Helsley or Carlos Estevez or Raisel Iglesias? Guys who will see majority saves without the premium price tag? Yessireeeeeeeee. The names you see below all have potential to be those types, but they’re cheaper because they’re riskier. Nature of the beast, I’m afraid. Godspeed.

Don’t forget to keep that there Razzball Bullpen Chart bookmarked. It’s been updated with the latest, and I’m usually quick to get it touched up once any type of news drops. And if you’re not a subscriber, I do highly, highly, highly recommend it. If’n you’re of the mind to consider it, you can find all the info here. I’m partial to the Relievonator Game Log Tool.

Welp. That’s enough of that. Let’s do it to it, pardner.

Note: All ADPs via Yahoo.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Be sure to scoop up these closer values and more in a Razzball Commenter League, like THIS ONE <click the link and you’re in!>, drafting tomorrow night at 10 ET / 7 PT.  These are 12 team 5×5 roto leagues with daily moves where you compete in master standings against Grey, me, JKJ, and all the commenters for free prizes!

Dennis Santana (ADP 181.2)

I’ll admit I had my worries about Dennis Santana after David Bednar left. I thought the spotlight might just be a mite too bright. I was wrong, ight?! Guy finished 2025 with 4 W, 16 SV, 12 HLD, 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 31.3 CSW%. Hard to complain about that, amirite?

Enough crappy rhymes. You want to know how I feel about Santana as a full-time closer in 2026. I…think I like him a lot. Imagine those 28 SVHD as just 28 SV. You’d like that. I’d like that. The Pirates are looking halfway decent on paper now, so one might feasibly expect even more save opps coming Santana’s way. The stuff if good, evidenced by a 96th-percentile 34.6% chase rate, but unfortunately, it doesn’t translate into strikeouts (only 60 in 70.1 IP). That’s the only real fantasy downside here, and it’s a bargain I’m more than willing to make at an ADP closer to 200 than it is to 150. He doesn’t issue many walks and he had a .217 xBA in 2025. Doesn’t get hit all that hard. I’m in.

Kirby Yates (ADP 193.3)

Kirby Yates blew my mind in 2024. The Dodgers and fantasy owners alike were greatly disappointed in 2025’s return: 18 SVHD, 5.23 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 28 CSW%. It’s easy to think age caught up to the man. However, I’m buying him as a solid source of at least early-season saves in 2026.

That ERA is ugly, but what if I told you his SIERA was a much more palatable 3.33? What if I told you his 16.5 SwStr% was wellllll above average? He still struck out 29.1% of batters, too. Sure, his walks and hard hits against and barrels were all yucky. His four-seamer was magical in 2024 yet only passable in 2025. Still think there’s bounce back potential here. It doesn’t sound like Ben Joyce is gonna be ready at the start of the season, and I just don’t know how much I even like him anyway. He couldn’t control anything before his shoulder crapped out. What he looks like post-surgery remains to be seen. Yates defaults his way into primary saves consideration for now, since both Joyce and Robert Stephenson seem to be behind schedule.

Seranthony Dominguez (ADP 199.7)

Seranthony Dominguez was a terrible walk rate away from being one of 2025’s better RP. He had 24 SVHD and 79 K across 62.2 IP; however, that came with a 1st-percentile 13.8 BB%, ballooning his WHIP up to 1.28.

With ADP right around 200, I’m willing to take the chance on a full-time closer. The White Sox should be utterly terrible once again, but it’s baseball, so they’ll win some games. Might be every single one of those wins offers up a save opportunity. If Sir Anthony is getting them all, then there’s obvious fantasy value in a guy who might bag 30+ SV with 75+ K. As for that walk rate, it was easily the worst walk rate of his career, and it was the first time since 2022 it was in the double digits. If we consider 90th percentile or better “elite,” then Sir Anthony was elite in the following areas: xBA, FB velo, whiff%, and K%. Then he was 89th percentile in average exit velo. Do with that what you will. Like I said, at this price, I’ll take that stab.

Griffin Jax (ADP 201.1)

Sadly, my boi Edwin Uceta’s injury opens the door for my other boi Griffin Jax to be a fantasy beast in 2026. I’ve harped on Jax for years at this point, and I stood strong despite meltdown after meltdown in the early weeks of 2025. I still believe he’s one of the best in the game. I want him everywhere that SVHD is a category.

I’m gonna say it: Jax was a BABIP victim in 2025. Clocked in at .362. Career high before that was .298 in 2023. My guy still punched out 99 muhfuhs in 66 IP — 99th percentile chase rate (38.1%), and then 98th percentile in both whiff% (37.3) and K% (35). The stuff is just gnarly. Two pitches with a whiff% north of 46 (sweeper and changeup). Yeah, the Rays have a history of rotating closers, and now that Pete Fairbanks is gone, they could go back to that. But whatever. Jax’s upside is so high I’d argue he’s worth just rostering for extra K and ratio help anyway.

Robert Garcia (ADP 203.7)

The Rangers bullpen has very little going for it, so that’s why Robert Garcia is here. He’s the favorite to lead the way in saves for now, so he has to be mentioned. I’ll admit without hesitation that I don’t like him very much.

Last year, Garcia managed 9 SV and 15 HLD. Also took 8 losses and blew 7 save chances. He’ll get you about a strikeout per inning, which I guess ain’t the worst, but it’s a pretty significant step down from the 75 K in 59.2 IP we got in 2024. Also was impressed by his 31.1 CSW%. Didn’t think he had that in him. So, like, yeah, he’s good enough for fantasy purposes assuming he’s [at least mostly] the full-time closer. Plus, he ain’t very expensive at all.

Taylor Rogers (No ADP!)

I’m tossing Taylor Rogers to the end of this list rather than making him a dart throw because I think he’s got the best shot to be the Twins closer full-time. That, and the fact he is basically free in terms of fantasy capital. Could probably wait til the very last pick of your draft to snag him.

I know his 2025 was next to worthless. Only 10 HLD with blah ratios and a whole lotta blue on the Statcast page. But being back with a familiar team in a role where he has succeeded in the past might be just what Dr. Fantasy Relevancy ordered. When with the Giants in 2023 and 2024, he was pretty good, he just didn’t get a ton of SVHD opps. He’s top of the Minnesota depth chart right now as far as I’m concerned. There’s almost zero risk with a pretty high reward with this pick.

Some Dart Throws

Garrett Cleavinger — Likely factors into the Tampa saves mix. Definitely into the high-leverage mix. Should Jax struggle early again, go get you some Cleavinger.

JoJo Romero — In the saves mix, along with the guy who’s directly under him on this list. I wonder if Romero will get first chance to establish himself so that he makes a sexier trade chip down the road. He will surely be dealt.

Riley O’Brien — Romero isn’t anything special, so O’Brien could just outright pitch better and become the closer. Watch this situation closely.

Clayton Beeter — Of the Nats guys, I like Beeter best. He almost made it up to the main section of this article. Has good K stuff and could easily be the lead closer if chips fall right. Has to get that 17.3 BB% under control, though.

Cole Henry — Probably gets a chance to close some games, I think? Only had 2 SV last year but also had 9 HLD and didn’t blow any chances. Beeter could walk his way out of consideration in a hurry.

Robert Stephenson — Shame we haven’t gotten to see what he can do in an Angels uniform. Apparently has corrected a nerve and thoracic outlet syndrome issues. A little behind schedule, but has potential to steal the closer role later on.

Kevin Ginkel — Diamondbacks pen is in shambles (Puk, Martinez, and now Saalfrank are all out for lengthy spells). That leaves Ginkel and Sewald to vie for saves until Puk is back in June-ish.

Paul Sewald — Sewald could bounce back. We’ll just have to see. I don’t know that I’d draft either him or Ginkel, but I would snatch either up at the first sign of steady opps (coupled with converted saves, of course).

Justin Sterner — Finished 2025 quite strong (and started quite strong, too…just had a spell of mediocrity in between). Might get some save chances early on.

Scott Barlow — Has veteran closing experience, so that may win out over Sterner and company. We’ll have to see. He ain’t what he used to be.

Alexis Diaz — I don’t realistically see him becoming fantasy relevant again, but he’s a dart throw nonetheless. Not too far removed from being a borderline elite closer, and the competition in Texas is not frightening.

That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading. Leave me a comment below so I feel all warm and fuzzy.