Much like the famous Doors song that shares it’s name, bullpens are drawing near. (Minus the Oedipus complex that the song explores.) I mean, it may… but that is gross and I don’t wanna associate my bullpen goodies to that. Moving on, shall we? This year has been the SAGNOF-fest that we always come to expect. Closers up, closers down. Trades and attrition. It happens every single year and it is the reason why the waiver wire is what it is: So we can get the new third closer for the Twins. The chase for saves never ends, well, I mean it ends for season-long leagues, but for dynasty and keeper leagues, the times never change. Saves are a category. A deeply hated and often cursed at category that will always be debated about. Whether or not to invest earlier picks then normal to get a stud, or just fill in with hope-so’s and also rans. There unfortunately is no right or wrong answer because both strategies work as long as you are a waiver goblin. So with the final post of the year, much like the other years that I have done this, we look to next year… This year’s counting stats and information don’t matter, we want to know what lies on the horizon. So let’s find out!
2018 Projected Guess Closer Chart
American League
| Team | Closer | Sneak Thief |
| Baltimore | Zach Britton | Brad Brach |
| Boston | Craig Kimbrel | Joe Kelly |
| Chicago | Fernando Rodney | Juan Minaya |
| Cleveland | Cody Allen | Andrew Miller |
| Detroit | Shane Greene | Sam Dyson |
| Houston | Ken Giles | Chris Devenski |
| KC | Mike Minor | Scott Alexander |
| LAA | Blake Parker | Cam Bedrosian |
| Minnesota | Brandon Kintzler | Gabriel Moya |
| New York | Aroldis Chapman | Dellin Betances |
| Oakland | Blake Treinen | Liam Hendriks |
| Seattle | Edwin Diaz | Nick Vincent |
| Tampa | Alex Colome | Tommy Hunter |
| Texas | Greg Holland | Keone Kela |
| Toronto | Roberto Osuna | Matt Belisle |
National League
| Team | Closer | Sneak Thief |
| Arizona | Archie Bradley | Jimmie Sherfy |
| Atlanta | Arodys Vizcaino | A.J. Minter |
| Chicago | Kelvin Herrera | Carl Edwards Jr. |
| Cincinnati | Raisel Iglesias | Jimmy Herget |
| Colorado | Jeurys Familia | Jake McGee |
| LA Dodgers | Kenley Jansen | David Hernandez |
| Miami | Juan Nicasio | Kyle Barraclough |
| Milwaukee | Corey Knebel | Josh Hader |
| New York | A.J. Ramos | Brandon Morrow |
| Philadelphia | Addison Reed | Adam Morgan |
| Pittsburgh | Felipe Rivero | Steve Cishek |
| San Diego | Brad Hand | Carter Capps |
| San Fran | Mark Melancon | Hunter Strickland |
| St. Louis | Wade Davis | Seung-Hwan Oh |
| Washington | Sean Doolittle | Ryan Madson |
Kintzler back to Minnesota?
Hey Smokey. Just wanted to say thank you for all the bullpen work that you do throughout the year!
@KMDA007: my pleasure. Thanks for the read and kind words all year.
Hi,
thanks for the updates along the year. It didn’t work out this year with my teams, but it never was because of a lack of reliever advice, lol
Anyway… I’m looking to make a speculative add for one of my dynasty team, having already added Kintzler. Who do you like more: Reed or Minor?
@ichirosan: my pleasure. Reed is going to be looking for a closer job and money. Where as Minir may fall into the job on a rebuilding Royals team. I’d say Minor right now, but I think both have their pluses and minuses as a save gobbler next year.
Worried about any regression for Godley? He’s wore down at the end of the year, but that was kind of expected. Yet still had excellent K/9 rates notwithstanding. The NL W isn’t the worst place to pitch, sans Coors. My question is, is he keeper eligible? Not at the point where I can say Godley or so and so, but is he at least in the keep conversation? 12 keep forever with no contracts 12 teamer.
@Chucky: regression sure. He’s pitched better and for more innings than expected this year. With 12 keepers he’s knocking on the door.
Who are your guesses for pitchers with RP/SP eligibility or even starters who are now pitching out of the pullpen who might vulture a win over the weekend?
Devenski
McCarthy
Kelly
Anymore? Need all the help I can get!
Thanks
@Steve: ooh tough one. Try to look at teams in playoffs for guys that aren’t part of the playoff rotation. One last appearance type deals.
@Smokey: Albers! Long relief types also work.
Wow. Davis to the Cards. And, the Cubs going to KC for their closer again. I like a lot of the predictions though.
Off topic a little. Who do you like more for next year? A. Simmons or J. Cueto?
@kenly0: Also, do you think Hader stays in the pen? I personally believe that he has TOR stuff.
@kenly0: he needs a third pitch imo. But is def a starter until he isn’t kind of deal
@kenly0: yea why not. Thanks. Simmons.