SAGNOF: Closers Who Could Move Around

What’s poppin, Razzpimples? Bullpen update time!

But no fancy pun headline this week and no update on the last “week that was.” Instead, this week’s SAGNOF RP report is coming a couple days later than normal and will be a short and sweet piece focused on closers who could perhaps find themselves on a new team in the next couple weeks. Cuz lest ye forget, the MLB trade deadline is August 2, folks.

I normally branch out into covering all fantasy-relevant RPs, not just closers, but this week I’m dialing it in, looking only at guys with saves as part of their fantasy value.

It’s always prudent to try to stay one step ahead in your leagues, and while of course you don’t want to go and make any rash decisions based on what could be, it never hurts to plan ahead, eh? I’ll also toss in a quick suggestion of someone to target as a replacement for saves on a given team. Keep in mind, not everyone who gets traded will see a spike in fantasy value! It could be the exact opposite!

David Robertson is a guy who pops into my head straight away. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the year and the Cubs are obviously quite, quite bad. It’s glorious. I love it. But anywho, D-Rob is having a stellar season. When he signed, it was thought he’d mix into the closing gig here and there. But who saw this season coming? Robertson has 13 SV, a 1.93 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and 48 K in 37.1 IP. A contending team would happily acquire a veteran presence with numbers like that to bolster a pen. This really couldn’t have worked out better for the Cubs, who should be chomping at the bit to ship off a rental RP for some younger returns. Current fantasy owners will just have to hope Robertson goes to a squad where he’ll continue to close rather than be used as a depth option. Handcuff target: Rowan Wick or possibly Mychal Givens.

Daniel Bard is another veteran closer who’s having a badass year on a really bad team. The Rockies will almost assuredly be looking to cash in on Bard’s 2022 success, which right now has him sitting in the #7 spot among RPs on our Player Rater. Bard ended 2021 so poorly that approximately 99.9% of pundits pegged Alex Colome as the guaranteed closer for Colorado this season. Now it’s the latter half of July and Bard has 20 SV (tied for 4th in MLB), a 2.02 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, only 8 ER allowed, and 42 K in 35.2 IP. He’s been nothing short of fantastic, rewarding anyone who drafted him in probably the very last round with one of fantasy’s best values so far in 2022. Handcuff target: Alex Colome (if he doesn’t get traded too…in which case keep an eye on Carlos Estevez). 

Jorge Lopez stormed onto the scene this year, going from complete afterthought to fantasy stardom in the blink of an eye. He’s been simply phenomenal: 17 SV, 1.62 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 51 K. Maybe the single best waiver wire addition anyone could have made, unless you’ve been lucky enough to think “Gee, I’ll add Matt Carpenter now that he’s a Yankee and just see what shakes out!” Lopez is 29 years old and will be arbitration-eligible next year. Could be that someone comes knocking, someone who’s hella impressed with Lopez’s sinker, curve, and change, all of which have been masterful so far this season. The xwOBA those is .295, .201, and .225, respectively. Someone who’s willing to pay him what he’ll be worth in 2023. The O’s are pretty hot, but let’s be real…they ain’t making the postseason. There’s no chance. So, they will very likely be looking to make some moves, and I’ll be pretty plumb shook if Lopez is an O come August 3. Handcuff target: Cionel Perez or Felix Bautista. Ugh or maybe Dillon Tate, too. 

Brad Hand has mostly enjoyed a fruitful 2022 season and will be a potential free agent at its conclusion. Neither FIP nor [especially] SIERA agree with Hand’s 2.17 ERA on the year, but it’s tough to deny that Hand has bounced back pretty nicely this year with Philly. The Phils aren’t out of the playoff mix, but they’re gonna have to hope the Braves or Mets or Dodgers or Padres reallllly muck it up in the second half to have a real shot. Hand has been in the saves mix while Corey Knebel figures stuff out, and his trade stock is pretty high right now, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Philadelphia to capitalize while they can. Like with D-Rob, a veteran presence in a contending bullpen can go a long way in the eyes of a front office. Plus, Hand has being a lefty in his favor. Obviously, his potential landing spot would make or break his save opportunities. Handcuff target: Seranthony Dominguez. 

Lou Trivino went from A’s closer to last-resort RP back to closer again. His 2022 season numbers suck. They suck a lot: 6.59 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, 1-6 record. But, under the hood, we see FIP and SIERA are half his ERA, he’s rocking a very respectable 28.9 K%, and he’s only allowed 3 HR all year. Dude ain’t elite by a long shot, but Good Lou Trivino would be a plus in just about any major league bullpen; the problem is Bad Lou Trivino shows up every now and then, oftentimes overstaying his welcome. And here’s the real kicker: his fantasy value almost certainly goes down if he gets traded. He’s very unlikely to close anywhere on a contender. Dany Jimenez owners are praying he moves. Handcuff target: Dany Jimenez. Duh. 

John Schreiber is another one of those dudes I didn’t even know breathed oxygen and now he’s a fantasy monster (in SVHD leagues). It would take a ding dang miracle for Boston to seriously contend for the playoffs, so shipping their arbitration-eligible stud RP might not be a bad call. I guess it’s pretty unlikely he goes somewhere to outright close, but never say never, right? And anywho, his moving would clear the way for Tanner Houck to really solidify his role as Boston’s closer ROS. Handcuff target: Tanner Houck. Duh.

David Bednar is an elite talent on a crappy (but not as crappy as we maybe thought) team. Thing is, he’s under said crappy team’s control through 2026, factoring in arb negotiations. He’s also not exactly young and the Pirates are a gooooood while from being a contender, so why not at least test the waters? Someone very serious about bolstering their pen and winning a World Series has likely already sent an email or three to GM Ben Cherington. Is it overly likely they move Bednar? Wouldn’t go that far. Also wouldn’t take it off the table, either. If the right price comes along, the Bucs would be pretty dumb to look the other way. Handcuff target: Yerry De Los Santos or Wil Crowe. 

Gregory Soto is like Bednar. While not as good or reliable, he’s proven to be a very capable MLB closer, and he’s doing so on an underwhelming squad that could maybe benefit from seeing what offers come their way. But again, like with Bednar, I’m not trying to suggest this is a likely move; Soto isn’t a free agent until 2026. It’s just, you know, possible. Might probably make more sense for them to look at shipping out either Andrew Chafin or Michael Fulmer (or both). Handcuff target: Andrew Chafin and/or Michael Fulmer and/or Alex Lange. 

Tanner Scott has emerged as one of the unlikelier closing options for the Marlins, racking up 11 SV and 28 K since June started. In that span, he’s also held opponents to a .162 BA. Man’s been real good, and being a real good lefty makes him an appealing value on the trade market. Marlins don’t have to deal him, but surely they’re open to it. And dude has walked 13 batters in his last 12.2 IP, so strike while the iron’s hot, I say! Despite all the walks, he’s got 2 W, 7 SV, and 16 K in that time. Handcuff target: Anthony Bass? Is that for real? I think it’s for real. Maybe Steven Okert too?

Scott Barlow will enter 2023 as arbitration eligible. He’s very good at the baseball throwing but ain’t too far from turning 30, so maybe the Royals decide he’s worth trading instead of worth paying. I dunno. No doubt there will be interest in a man of his talents, it’s just a matter a team meeting KC’s bound-to-be-high asking price. No one has more saves since June 18 than Barlow (9), who’s rocking an 18:3 K:BB ratio in that timeframe.  Handcuff target: Josh Staumont.