Fantasy Baseball Closer Report August 3: MLB Trade Deadline Role Changes
As the smoke clears after a particularly active MLB Trade Deadline, you’ll discover that some of the fantasy baseball closers formerly relied upon for saves are no longer closing out games for their respective teams. With several relief pitchers having been traded and assuming new roles with their new teams it’s even more important to check in on our Closer Grid throughout the week. It’s updated regularly and continues to be a great resource for identifying bullpen closers, handcuffs, and sleepers.
The following is a breakdown of how some fantasy relevant relief pitchers’ roles and fantasy values changed as a result of recent transactions leading up to MLB’s Trade Deadline.
(The statistics quoted in this article are accurate as of the morning of 8.2.2022)
Fantasy Baseball Closer Report
After dangling Josh Hader as trade bait for the past few years the Brewers finally traded one of baseball’s most dominant closers to the Padres, where he will take over as the teams’ closer. Hader has had a rough go of it lately, pitching to a 14.04 ERA in his last 10 appearances. He still managed to strike out 16 batters in 8.1 IP and saved four games during that time frame. Hader has an MLB leading 29 saves this season and will continue to add to that total.
Devin Williams will be the Brewers’ closer moving forward. As Hader’s former handcuff Williams accumulated nine career saves and filled in nicely whenever Hader was unavailable. He hasn’t given up an earned run since May 10th, striking out 47 batters and walking eight in 28.2 IP during that time span. If by chance he’s available on your league’s waiver wire and you need saves, exhaust your FAAB budget if you have to, and add him to your fantasy roster.
With Taylor Rogers being traded to the Brewers he’ll likely either become Williams’ set up man or at least be used in high leverage late inning situations. Rogers has been especially tough against left-handed batters (.203 career BAA) and while he’ll likely be holding games instead of saving them moving forward, he’ll potentially have a direct link to a role as a closer and should not be dropped from fantasy rosters, at least for the short term.
Matt Bush was acquired by the Brewers in a trade with the Rangers. He bolsters an already loaded Brewers bullpen. Bush has 12 career saves but will likely be used in middle relief and should be a good resource for holds. Bush hasn’t given up an earned run in his last 12 appearances spanning 12 IP.
Lou Trivino has 36 career saves and up until he was traded to the Yankees on Monday, he was the A’s closer. Unfortunately, Trivino won’t get too many save opportunities while pitching for the Yanks. The Yanks are hoping that they can help Trivino refine his power sinker (just like they helped Clay Holmes) and that he can add depth to their bullpen that has been ravaged by injuries. Dany Jiménez was activated off the IL on Tuesday and will likely once again close out games for the A’s but keep Zach Jackson and A.J. Puk on your watch list just in case.
In somewhat of a surprise move the Angels traded Raisel Iglesias to the Braves where he and A.J. Minter will back up closer Kenley Jansen. Iglesias saved 34 games for the Angels last season but his big contract (4 years $58M) and the fact that the Angels are very unlikely to make the playoffs made him expendable. While Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup are likely to pitch in high leverage late inning situations for the Angels moving forward it was José Quijada who picked up the first save (his second of the season) in the Angels’ post Raisel Iglesias era.
The Twins upgraded their bullpen by trading for All-Star closer Jorge López who saved 19 games for the Orioles this season. It remains to be seen if he’ll be the Twins’ primary option to close out games or if he’ll share the closer’s role with Jhoan Duran. The Twins also added former Tiger reliever Michael Fulmer who will likely continue to operate in his familiar setup man role. Félix Bautista is expected to inherit the Orioles’ closer role, with Dillon Tate operating as his setup man. Keep an eye on Cionel Pérez who has a 1.25 ERA and 15 holds across 42 appearances for the Orioles this season.
David Robertson, saved 14 games and compiled a 2.23 ERA for the Cubs this season, but with Phillies manager Rob Thompson unwilling to name him as his new teams’ primary closer Robertson’s fantasy value will take a hit. At least for now it appears that Robertson will be sharing closer duties with fellow Phillies relievers Seranthony Domínguez and Brad Hand. With the Cubs also trading Mychal Givens (to the Mets) Rowan Wick is expected to close out games for the Cubbies moving forward.
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Cody Bellinger is back in center field and batting third for the Yankees on Tuesday.
Bellinger was given most of Monday off as he continues to deal with some back tightness, though he did come off the bench for defense late in the game.
Oswald Peraza is making his first start against a right-hander in Monday’s game against the Royals.
Oswaldo Cabrera had started at third base every time the Yankees had faced a righty, but Peraza, who has picked up four starts against lefties, is the choice versus Michael Wacha tonight. Cabrera has been adequate in hitting .278/.333/.278 to date, but that’s mostly all he’s ever been. It wouldn’t hurt the Yankees to give Peraza a little look here before DJ LeMahieu returns to further muddle the situation.
Cooper Hjerpe underwent Tommy John surgery and will be out until the middle of the 2026 season.
Hjerpe, 24, has been limited to 93 innings since being drafted 22nd overall in the 2022 draft. He had a 3.27 ERA and a 76/28 K/BB over 52 1/3 innings in 19 starts between high-A and Double-A last year.
Gunnar Henderson, who had led off in all of his appearances this season, has swapped lineup spots with Jordan Westburg and is hitting fourth Tuesday.
This might be a response to the Orioles facing a lefty, though Henderson did lead off the previous time that happened. Henderson is hitting just .206/.229/.294 in eight games since returning from an intercostal strain, but since that’s come with a 67% hard-hit rate, there doesn’t seem like any reason for concern. The Orioles also have Jorge Mateo, Ramón Laureano and Gary Sánchez starting versus Logan Allen tonight, resulting in Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad and Ryan O’Hearn all sitting.
Marlins activated OF Jesús Sánchez from the 10-day injured list.
Jonah Bride was designated for assignment to make room. Sánchez, out since the start of the year with an oblique strain, is back after going 3-for-10 with a double in three minor league games. He’ll get a spot in the middle of the Marlins lineup against right-handers, though he could do a fair amount of DHing with both Kyle Stowers and Griffin Conine playing well (and being better outfield defenders). Eric Wagaman, who had been picking up starts against righties as Bride was losing them, figures to spend more time on the bench again now. Sánchez is a fringe mixed-league option at the moment, but he could be more than that if he’s traded to a contender later on.
Marlins designated INF Jonah Bride for assignment.
Bride was a nice surprise for the Marlins last season, but the exit velocity numbers failed to back up his .276/.357/.461 line. This year, he was off to a 4-for-40 start with no extra-base hits and two RBI. He’s off the roster now just a couple of weeks after opening up as the team’s regular No. 3 hitter. Given that he’s 29 and possesses limited defensive value, there’s a good chance he’ll clear waivers.