MLB Closers 2024: Closer Report - Fantasy Baseball This Week, August 29
Thankfully, the chaos surrounding MLB closers in 2024 that we’ve witnessed over the past couple of weeks has subsided recently.
Newly crowned MLB closers that we’ve covered in recent fantasy closer columns like Philadelphia Phillies reliever Seranthony Dominguez, Arizona Diamondbacks closer Justin Martinez and San Francisco Giants stopper Ryan Walker seem to have settled into their new roles.
With the revolving door nature of the MLB closers in 2024 position perhaps they shouldn’t get too comfortable.
You have to think that Walker might be looking over his shoulder since the Giants recently recalled Camilo Doval from their Triple-A affiliate. Doval has picked up a hold and a win in his first two appearances since his recall but luckily for Walker, he hasn’t gotten rid of that nasty habit of issuing free passes to opposing hitters (3 walks in 2.1 IP).
MLB Closers 2024: Fantasy Baseball Closer Report
Make it a point to check out our Fantasy Baseball Closer Grid. We update it on a regular basis based on all the latest trends and news related to baseball’s high-leverage relievers.
In the meantime, here’s a few bullpen-related updates regarding fantasy baseball closers that you should be aware of!
(All stats quoted in this article are accurate as of the morning of 8/28/2024)
Hector Neris A Good Resource For Holds Moving Forward
MLB teams seem to always have room for a reliever that they believe can add depth to their bullpen. Neris, who was DFA’ed last Tuesday, is back home pitching for the Houston Astros again.
He spent the 2022 and 2023 season with the Astros and has been used in the sixth and seventh innings in his first two appearances with his new (old) team. With Ryan Pressly on the IL, Bryan Abreu is likely the next man up after closer Josh Hader but with 106 career saves on his resume Neris could also be used in occasional save situations.
Add Jake Cousins To Your Watch List
We’ve covered Clay Holmes’ recent struggles in past columns and while New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone claims he plans on sticking with Holmes as his closer, if his struggles continue, he might not have a choice but to make a change.
If you’ve got room on your roster and are looking for help in the holds category, adding a highly effective reliever who pitches for one of the best teams in baseball is a good strategy. Cousins recorded three holds last week and has a solid 1.80 ERA on the season.
He also has a path to potential save opportunities should Holmes be unavailable or if the Yanks look to make a change in the structure of their bullpen. Cousins has a save this season and 12 in his professional baseball career. With the Yankees recently DFAing Michael Tonkin he’ll likely continue to see an uptick in his use in high leverage late inning situations.
The Athletics Bullpen Has Been A Good Resource For Holds
When it comes to the A’s bullpen the first pitcher that most of us think of is fireballer Mason Miller. There’s no doubt that the A’s are a bad team but they can be scrappy at times. With so many teams that are in contention for a playoff spot having such issues with their bullpen depth it’s surprising to note that collectively, A’s relievers have the sixth best ERA in baseball (3.62).
Even more surprising is that the A’s bullpen has the third most holds this season (87). That’s pretty impressive for a team that has only won 43 percent of their games this season. Grant Holman might give up more walks than we’d like to see from him (4.5 BB/9) but he has a 2.25 ERA and he’s recorded a hold in each of his five appearances for the A’s dating back to August 17th.
Another A’s reliever who has been impressive lately is T.J. McFarland. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 12 appearances dating back to July 26th. McFarland has a win and four holds during that time span. Tyler Ferguson is another A’s reliever who can help you in the holds category. He has a 0.82 ERA, a win and five holds in his last 11 appearances.
Tyler Holton Is The Detroit Tigers Reliever You Should Roster
The Tigers have been using a committee approach in managing their high leverage late inning situations, but Holton has proven to be the most valuable member of that committee, and he has been so for a long time.
In Holton’s last 23 appearances he has two wins, four saves and six holds. He has a microscopic 0.26 ERA and has struck out 26 batters while walking just four during that time span.
Liam Hendriks Is Close To Making His Return To Big-League Action
In his prime Hendriks was one of baseball’s best closers but a myriad of health issues including a cancer diagnosis derailed his career. As this article is being written Hendriks has made three rehab appearances. The plan was to have Hendriks make six to eight appearances including back to back days before he is reinstated from the IL.
Having Hendriks back on a big league mound is a great feel good story. He’ll give the Boston Red Sox bullpen some much needed depth, but for fantasy purposes Hendriks could be a resource for an occasional hold. He probably won’t be worth rostering among MLB closers in 2024.
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.