It’s June, in case you don’t own a calendar or Mayan solar stone. Fantasy owners can no longer afford to hold their breath in any given category. Now is the time to take your shots on middle relievers and hope they earn you a save or two. It’s nice if they can give you strikeouts or stellar ratios in the meantime. Check your wire for the names below.
- We got our first Trevor May save halfway through June. Taylor Rogers has some back soreness so he’ll be limited for a few days. May is a righty, however, so it’s possibly just a timing thing that May got the call over Blake Parker. Still, this would seem to reveal Rocco Baldelli’s less than complete confidence in Parker. I wouldn’t go overboard on May without clear injuries to one of the co-closers.
- Ken Giles has some elbow soreness and will require an IL stint. Neither of Joe Biagini and Daniel Hudson’s first opportunities in his absence went all that well. Biagini gave ups some runs and was replaced by Hudson who put two more guys on. It’s probably a mix of these two while Giles is out, and maybe even Ryan Tepera if he gets back from the IL.
- Another day, another mess for the Mariners back end. Hunter Strickland’s rehab has also hit a bump.
- Raisel Iglesias HATES pitching in a non-save situation. He gives up runs to make sure his manager knows this.
- The Braves-Pirates game was called due to weather with the ninth yet to be played. That gave Anthony Swarzak the backdoor save. I find this quite a comical way to notch a save.
- The drama of the Rangers backend continues. Chris Woodward said he doesn’t have a close and any of the four guys in the committee could close. Maybe that’s a good thing for Jose Leclerc. If he stays on the straight and narrow it’s easier to unseat a committee than one guy getting the opps.
Closers In Waiting
The next men up for saves. One break just needs to go their way.
K It Up
Get a category enhancer from these high K/9 strikeout artists.
- Diego Castillo
- Nick Anderson
- Lou Trivino
- Adam Ottavino
- Tayron Guerrero
- Robert Stephenson
- Reyes Moronta
Ratio Darlings
These guys may not earn saves, but they can help smooth your ratios.
Long Men
Hard up for starters? An effective long man can bridge a gap until you find someone.
14-team 5×5 Saves+Holds league.
I usually take the last 14 days or 28 days and rank the RPs by SVS+HD.
The top guys (Pressly=10 Svs+HD, Treinen=9, Neris=8, Hand=8) are all taken. I have Hand. The only other guy I have is LeClerc and he’s stashed on my bench.
Who else should I get and activate with Hand?
The top FAs are Kahnle/W.Harris/Swarzak all with 6 each.
FA RPs Petit, Watson, Guerrero, Buchter, Trivino, C.Martin, and Dominguez all had 5.
I’d be partial to Kahnle or Watson off that list.
If Buttrey is there, I’d add him.
He’s not.
But Stammen, Jimenez, Pagan, Newcomb and Wittgren are. I’m desperate for an additional start this week and was going to add Newcomb but I feel like he’s got the lowest potential upside of all the available guys you mentioned.
Wittgren could be in line to close if the Tribe move Hand in the next month.
Seems like there are rumors of Yates being dealt too. You buying into those at all?
I don’t see a team making it worth San Diego’s while. I’m sure people are checking in, though.
A little late to the party with this question, but if you had to gamble on one or two of the “Closers In Waiting” who would you choose? I’ve got Greene but then am suffering with the Parker/Givens experiment. Saves are crucial in this points-based h2h league and finding that one extra closer could mean a title for me.
I drafted Cody Allen as my first closer (swing and a miss!) so I’d be dropping him to grab someone. Or Givens. Or Parker.
And do you think Greene will be dealt? I’m thinking I should pick up Jimenez as insurance but my roster spots are limited.
Thanks for the article! I’m in a 12 team H2H SVHDs league with a 3o IP weekly minimum. Been reaching the minimum easily with 4 active SPs and have been punting Ks and QSs. My RP heavy bullpen strategy has worked well thus far with ERA, WHIP and SVHD. Would you recommended doubling down on the strategy and trading away any of my SPs for another good RP or hold? And if so, what RPs do you think I should target?
RPs: S. Greene, Hicks, Trivino, Jeffress, Buttrey
SPs; Wheeler, G. Marquez, Flaherty, R. Hill, Glasnow (IL), Z. Gallen (stashed)
Thanks
If you can get a decent return for Wheeler or Marquez I’d consider it. Their starts are volatile and could ruin your ERA. Look for guys that don’t rack up Ks or go deep in games. Any Dodger, Rays swingmen, or a younger guy.
Nice article! I didnt think of Newcomb being considered to close. Nice catch! That would be so interesting
10 team h2h redraft league.
SP
SP
RP
RP
P
p
P
p
How many closers do you try to roster with this roster set up? I also have 4 bench spots and the league allows 4 transactions per week.
I currently own Hader, Yates, Treinen, Kimbrel, Luke Jackson, Greg Holland.
When I drafted this team my goal was to win saves, whip, and era every week and some weeks manage to win K’s & Wins. It’s worked very well so far, I’ve never been beaten in saves and have won whip and era most every week. Even though I didn’t draft any SP early at all I’ve been able to pick up and hold some really good ones so I’m winning K’s and Wins a lot more than I anticipated. Ryu, Giolito, Padock, Soroka, German.
I’m considering dropping Holland since I have Kimbrel coming back and that will open up a streaming spot for me. Holland hasn’t been bad but he also isn’t getting very many opportunities at all, whatcha think?
It sounds like your strategy is effective. So much depends on what your leaguemates are doing. You have had some very hot starting pitching so keep an eye on that if any cool off. I would hesitate to drop Holland as he’ll go right into someone else’s lineup.
Have Parker. He’s been a mess lately.
Givens and Kennedy are both available. I like Kennedy due to his SP eligibility but Givens may have started to turn it around. I can add one or both. The drops would be Parker and 1 of Max Kepler or Matt Carpenter.
Do I add one, if yes, which one?
Do I add the other and who is the drop?
Thanks.
I don’t think any of those are drops, TBH. I don’t have much love for Givens or Kennedy either.
If you’re saying you can add one for free, Kennedy may be the less volatile.
I would drop Parker and add Kennedy.
Thanks!
I’d be partial to Kahnle or Watson off that list.
Britton for sure, then whichever flavor you like from Workman/Buttrey/Holland. Garrett’s someone to keep an eye on.
In a points league that rewards holds and innings pitched along with your typical pitching stats, which two relievers would you own? I currently own the first two
Workman
Britton
Holland
Robles
Buttrey
Walden
Lugo
Garrett
Hendriks
Britton for sure, then whichever flavor you like from Workman/Buttrey/Holland. Garrett’s someone to keep an eye on.