Fantasy Baseball Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 5)

As someone who has grown up in Colorado and watched the Rockies my whole life, I understand how valuable bullpens can be. The Rockies have arguably the worst bullpen in baseball, and that’s been the case for a decade now. Seeing those inconsistencies has forced me to respect these bullpens, and I love monitoring how they play out. We’ve had some exciting developments this week, so let’s go ahead and get into it.

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Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets

Closer Situations to Watch

These are bullpens we need to monitor.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald suffered an oblique strain in spring training, but he’s inching close to a return. Arizona’s closer started a rehab assignment on Tuesday and could be back in action next week. Kevin Ginkel is still worth holding in hold leagues, but he’s a worthy drop in save-only formats.

Chicago Cubs

I had a Twitter user complain about not having a Cubs reliever in my top 30, and then Adbert Alzolay lost his job a few days later. He’s had three blown saves and two losses over his last seven appearances and will be relegated to low-leverage opportunities. Hector Neris picked up the most recent save, while Mark Leiter Jr. has yet to allow a run. Both guys are speculative adds until we see more.

Chicago White Sox

This is the worst team in baseball, but it looks like Michael Kopech is their designated closer. He has had two saves this year and is the most talented arm in this pen. If you need saves, he’s a decent addition, but don’t be surprised to see him go weeks without one.

Colorado Rockies

If the White Sox are the worst team in the American League, the Rockies are the worst in the National League. Guessing this team’s closer is simply a guess because Tyler Kinley and Justin Lawrence have both been atrocious. Jake Bird might be the guy, but getting involved with the worst bullpen in baseball would be a bad idea. With that said, Lawrence got a save on Wednesday.

Kansas City Royals

This team is close to being eliminated from this article. Will Smith lost this job early on, but James McArthur has been great since taking over. He’s recorded eight straight scoreless appearances, picking up six saves in that span. Don’t expect to see the Royals here next week unless McArthur collapses.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Devin Williams injury was devastating for fantasy managers and it’s been frustrating trying to figure out how to handle this bullpen. Abner Uribe picked up the first three saves for this team, but he’s been terrible since then. He was featured in the fourth inning just last week, with Joel Payamps picking up the three most recent saves. Trevor Megill is also in the mix because he was on his way to a two-inning save in his debut before being pulled. Payamps and Megill are both worthy waiver wire adds.

Minnesota Twins

Griffin Jax has had three saves since taking over this job, but that won’t last long. Jhoan Duran is progressing in his return from an oblique issue, starting his rehab assignment on Tuesday. He should be back by the time our next article is published and he’ll resume his role as one of the best closers in the league.

Oakland A’s

Mason Miller is the closer in Oakland, but we must keep them in this section because of how bad they are. This team might struggle to get past 50 wins, but Miller is a stud in the back end. He throws well over 100 miles per hour (MPH) and should get the few save chances Oakland produces.

Philadelphia Phillies

This situation looked murky when we published our last article, but Jose Alvarado has had two saves since then. He’s only allowed one run since his five-run meltdown in his debut and is running away with this gig.

Seattle Mariners

It sucks we have Seattle in this section, but they’re doing the smart thing. They’re choosing to use Andres Munoz in high-leverage situations, which has limited him to two saves this year. Ryne Stanek also picked up two saves when Munoz was used early on and it looks like Stanek will be utilized as the closer when Munoz faces the challenging parts of the order in the seventh and eighth innings. Munoz is one of the best options in saves/holds leagues, but he likely won’t get past 20-25 saves in this type of role.

Tampa Bay Rays

Jason Adam has always been a great option in holds leagues, but he can be added everywhere now. Pete Fairbanks is dealing with a nerve issue, and it’s unclear how much time he’ll miss. Adams had over 20 combined saves and holds last year and should get every save chance until Fairbanks returns. Phil Maton is tied for the league lead in holds with seven and is an interesting option as well.

Texas Rangers

Jose Leclerc looked like the guy in spring training, but Kirby Yates ran away with this gig. The former Padres closer has yet to allow a run this season, picking up three saves and a win in his last four appearances. They can’t keep him out of this role as long as he continues to pitch like this, making him one of the top adds of the season. Don’t expect to see Texas in this section next week, but don’t overlook David Robertson and his seven holds.

My Saves/Holds Rankings

Relievers on the Rise

Jason Adam (TB)

Jason Adam was a sneaky add last season and this appears to be the case again this season. He had 12 saves and 11 holds filling in for Fairbanks at one point last year and should get all of the saves as long as Fairbanks remains out.

Hector Neris (CHC)

Adbert Alzolay is out as the team closer. It’s unclear who’s next in line. Hector Neris looks like he’s up next, picking up the two most recent saves and providing a 1.71 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in a sparkling 2023 season. He also had numerous 25-save seasons with the Phillies in the past and could run away with this gig if he locks down a few saves in a row.

Potential Closers on the IL

Felix Bautista (BAL): The O’s closer is out for the year after Tommy John surgery.

Jhoan Duran (MIN): Duran started a rehab assignment on Tuesday and could return within the next week.

Devin Williams (MIL): Williams wants to return right around the All-Star break, which is still two months out.

Paul Sewald (ARI): Sewald kickstarted his rehab assignment on Tuesday and could return when our next article is published.

Pete Fairbanks (TB): Fairbanks landed on the IL with a nerve issue. That’s a brutal injury to judge, but he’ll be out for at least the next two weeks.

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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.