Fantasy Baseball Closer Updates and Depth Charts
Atlanta Braves: Arodys Vizcaino was originally expected to return to the Braves on Sunday, but the team wanted him to complete an additional bullpen session first. That session was completed successfully Monday, and Vizcaino was expected to re-join the Braves in New York on Tuesday. While there is always a chance that the Braves could elect to have Vizcaino prove he is up to the task in a setup role upon his return, he is just as likely to resume closing duties should the need arise.
Chicago Cubs: Not only did Brandon Morrow return from the disabled list last Thursday, but he also picked up a pair of saves over the weekend versus the Twins. Morrow is safe to be activated to your starting roster and with the Cubs offense finally starting to come alive, he could have a much more active second half for your Fantasy team.
Detroit Tigers: The Tigers were dealt a blow Monday when they announced that Shane Greene was placed on the DL due to a shoulder injury. The injury is being described as a strain, but the team still hasn’t announced how long Greene may be out for. This is pretty terrible timing for the Tigers. as they had likely hoped to be able to deal Greene for a prospect or two by the trade deadline on July 31. While it’s still possible that a deal could take place, Greene would not only have to return to the bullpen but also pitch effectively for that to happen. Until Greene does return the closing job will go to Joe Jimenez. That change started out rough Monday as Jimenez blew the save versus Toronto. He gave up a hit, walked three, and allowed a run in the only inning he pitched. Jimenez did receive a vulture win as the Tigers scored in the top of the inning, but the outing certainly wasn’t encouraging. The Tigers don’t have much behind Jimenez, however, so he should have a long leash.
Houston Astros: Ken Giles hasn’t picked up a save since June 12, so the ninth inning does look to be in the hands of Hector Rondon at this point in time. Will he keep the job? Unlikely, as you have to think the Astros will look to land a closer before the trade deadline expires. Wouldn’t Zach Britton look good here? We know the Orioles want to move him and a bona fide closer may be the last piece of the puzzle in order for Houston to repeat as World Series Champions.
Kansas City Royals: The Royals have already started their fire sale and the only thing they are going to compete for this season will be the first overall pick in next year’s draft. That’s my coy way of saying wins are going to be very hard to come by. Wily Peralta is the closer right now and if you need saves, do what you have to do, but remember, he’s no lock to have the job for the rest of the season and if he records 10 more saves I’d be surprised.
San Francisco Giants: It’s a complete guessing game as to who will close out the next game for the Giants. I don’t even think manager Bruch Bochy knows right now. Mark Melancon and Sam Dyson have both struggled of late. Tony Watson probably deserves a shot to close, but Bochy may prefer the left-hander to get key outs in the seventh and/or eighth innings. Will Smith has picked up the last two saves for the Giants and may be the odds-on favorite right now, but that is only likely to last until he struggles in the role. This has the making of a full-blown committee.
Team | Closer | Next in Line | Deep Potential | DL | Top Hold Reliever |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARI | Brad Boxberger | Archie Bradley | Archie Bradley | ||
ATL | A.J. Minter | Dan Winkler | A.J. Minter | Jose Ramirez/Arodyz Vizcaino | Dan Winkler |
BAL | Zach Britton | Brad Brach | Miguel Castro | Brad Brach | |
BOS | Craig Kimbrel | Matt Barnes/Joe Kelly | Tyler Thornburg | Joe Kelly | |
CHC | Brandon Morrow | Pedro Strop/Steve Cishek | Carl Edwards | Carl Edwards | Steve Cishek |
CHW | Joakim Soria | Jace Fry | Juan Minaya | Nate Jones | Jace Fry |
CIN | Raisel Iglesias | Jared Hughes/David Hernandez/Wandy Peralta | Jared Hughes | ||
CLE | Cody Allen | Dan Otero | Andrew Miller | Nick Goody | |
COL | Wade Davis | Adam Ottavino/Jake McGee | Adam Ottavino | Adam Ottavino | Jake McGee |
DET | Joe Jimenez | Buck Farmer | Joe Jimenez | Alex Wilson/Shane Greene | Buck Farmer |
HOU | Hector Rondon | Ken Giles/Chris Devenski/Brad Peacock | Chris Devenski | Chris Devenski | |
KC | Wily Peralta | Brandon Maurer/Justin Grimm | Brandon Maurer | ||
LAA | Blake Parker | Cam Bedrosian/Justin Anderson | Justin Anderson | Blake Wood/Kenyan Middleton | Cam Bedrosian |
LAD | Kenley Jansen | Josh Fields | Josh Fields | ||
MIA | Kyle Barraclough | Brad Ziegler/Drew Steckenrider | Drew Steckenrider | Brad Ziegler | |
MIL | Corey Knebel | Matt Albers/Jacob Barnes/Josh Hader | Josh Hader | ||
MIN | Fernando Rodney | Addison Reed | Addison Reed | ||
NYM | Jeurys Familia | Robert Gsellman | A.J. Ramos | Robert Gsellman | |
NYY | Aroldis Chapman | Dellin Betances/David Robertson | Dellin Betances | Dellin Betances | |
OAK | Blake Treinen | Ryan Butcher/Santiago Casilla | Ryan Dull | Santiago Casilla | |
PHI | Seranthony Dominguez | Tommy Hunter | Pat Neshek/Edubray Ramos | Tommy Hunter | |
PIT | Felipe Vazquez | Kyle Crick | Kyle Crick | ||
STL | Bud Norris | Luke Gregerson/Jordan Hicks/Greg Holland | Dominic Leone | Jordan Hicks | |
SD | Brad Hand | Kirby Yates | Kazuhisa Makita | Kirby Yates | |
SF | Mark Melancon | Will Smith/ Sam Dyson/Tony Watson | Sam Dyson | Hunter Strickland | Sam Dyson |
SEA | Edwin Diaz | Alex Colome | Alex Colome | ||
TB | Sergio Romo | Jose Alvarado/Chaz Roe | Chaz Roe | ||
TEX | Keone Kela | Alex Claudio/Matt Bush | Alex Claudio | ||
TOR | Tyler Clippard | Seung-Hwan Oh/John Axford | Roberto Osuna (susp)/Ryan Tepera | Seung-Hwan Oh | |
WSH | Sean Doolittle | Kelvin Herrera | Koda Glover | Koda Glover | Kelvin Herrera |
As always feel free to follow me on Twitter and ask any questions you like, @georgekurtz.