Believe it or not, we are still early in the season, and a lot of bullpen situations are still shaking out. Let’s run through the most interesting situations for fantasy with an eye on who we think has the job now as well as who we expect to get saves down the line.
Last week in this spot I loved A.J. Minter , albeit more for his skills than his opportunity. Since then, he has thrown two innings in three appearances, with a 9.00 ERA, 2.50 WHIP with a loss and a save. The loss was home against Miami while he got the save at Coors Field. Overall, I’d say this was a positive week for Minter. The Braves brought in Minter for Monday’s save despite Colorado having two righties and the pitcher due up in the ninth. Vizcaino was presumably available after throwing just 11 pitches Sunday, and if I had to bet, I would say Minter gets the next save chance. If you can afford to be a bit patient, Minter can be rostered in anything bigger than a 10-team league.
It appears Ryan Brasier has won Boston’s closing job. He has Boston’s only two saves this month, while Matt Barnes ’s last appearance came with Boston down one in the ninth inning Tuesday. I’m not sure I would drop Barnes if Brasier and Minter are already owned, but I would certainly rather have Brasier right now.
The Orioles haven’t had a save since we last met, though it is worth noting that Mychal Givens pitched the eighth inning and got the hold Monday while Nathan Karns pitched the ninth in what turned out to be a non-save situation. Karns promptly went the IL Tuesday, and it’s anybody’s guess who gets the next save opportunity in Baltimore. My guess is it goes to Givens, but fortunately for us, this situation is irrelevant outside of really deep leagues.
I still think Taylor Rogers is the best reliever in Minnesota, but Blake Parker is clearly the guy right now, and there is a decent chance Trevor May is next in line. Of the guys we’ve discussed so far, Parker is probably the best bet to get his teams next save chance, but I still think Minter ends the season with more saves.
Alex Colomé ’s ownership is slowly climbing, but he needs to be owned ahead of all of these guys, even though he probably won’t get a ton of save chances because his team isn’t very good.
The Royals haven’t had a save chance in over a week, and Ian Kennedy blew it. If I have to own a reliever from this team it’s Brad Boxberger , but he’s only a slightly better fantasy play than Mychal Givens right now.
Anthony Swarzak appears to have solidified his hold on Seattle’s closer role. I would rather own Alex Colomé , who I believe is a better pitcher, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Swarzak winds up with more saves.
I don’t think Blake Treinen is losing his job anytime soon, but it is worth noting he has nine strikeouts and six walks in 8.0 innings while Lou Trvino has 11 strikeouts and one walk in 8.2 innings. I identified Treinen as a potential bust in the preseason due to his inability throw strikes, and while you probably shouldn’t try to trade him coming off his first blown save of the season Sunday, I would wait for him to string a couple of saves together and then try to trade him.
Sergio Romo should be Miami’s closer, but it looks like they’re probably going to mix and match. I think Romo could save 15 games and then get traded in July, but it doesn’t appear the Marlins want to use him that way. That being said, Adam Conley allowed two hits and a walk without getting an out Sunday to get the loss, so I have some hope Romo gets the next save opportunity and they leave him in that role.
If you own one of the Philadelphia relievers you probably have to hold onto him, but I don’t want any of them. Héctor Neris got Philadelphia’s first save of the season and then was used in the eighth inning the next day. Edubray Ramos blew the save in the ninth in that game. And since I know you’re wondering, the answer is no, I had never heard of Edubray Ramos before Tuesday. It seems crazy to think that a team that could win 100 games may not have a single fantasy relevant reliever, but that’s where we’re at right now. I think David Robertson is droppable, though he’s probably the Philly reliever I want if I had to choose.
My guess is if anyone saves 20 games for the Reds it will be David Hernandez , but both he and Raisel Iglesias have been terrible to start the season. I wonder if Amir Garrett gets a shot to close at some point.
Jordan Hicks appears to have settled into the closer role with saves on Sunday and Monday. Andrew Miller still had an appearance last an entire inning yet this season, and he doesn’t appear to me much of a threat to Hicks. It wouldn’t shock me if Alex Reyes or Carlos Martínez wind up in the mix for saves at some point, but I expect Hicks will be good enough to keep the job all season.