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Fantasy Baseball Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 13)

Fantasy Baseball Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 13)

We haven’t had any closer changes this week, but we’ve had some interesting developments. One of the best closers in the league returned to form off the injured list (IL), and a handful of other closers lost their grip on their roles. We’re not sure any of those back-end guys lost their gigs, but some are one blown save away from moving down the hierarchy.

With that said, let’s get started and look at some of the developments for this week.

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Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 13)

Closer Situations to Watch

These are bullpens we need to monitor.

Chicago Cubs

Hector Neris stole this job from Adbert Alzolay in the opening month, but he’s holding onto the closer’s role by a thread. The righty has allowed seven runs over his last three appearances, blowing two saves in that span. It’s not like he was mowing down hitters before that, totaling a 9.35 ERA and 1.98 WHIP over the last month. We thought Mark Leiter would be next in line, but Keegan Thompson got the save chance on Tuesday. However, Leiter and Hayden Wesneski were both unavailable in that game, so this situation is fluid. With all that said, Neris got the dreaded vote of confidence.

Chicago White Sox

Being a closer for the worst team in baseball is far from glamorous, with Michael Kopech leading the way with five saves. He also has four blown saves, tallying an 11.37 ERA and 2.37 WHIP since May 25. That allowed John Brebbia to record the most recent save on Tuesday, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the veteran run away with that gig behind his 5.81 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. In any case, we’d advise staying away.

Colorado Rockies

We just said we wanted to stay away from Chicago, but we want to stay even further away from this pen. We mentioned last week Tyler Kinley was the new closer, but we warned you that your ERA and WHIP would be in trouble if you picked him up. That was on display when he surrendered four runs in an epic meltdown on Tuesday, getting his numbers up to a 9.00 ERA and 1.93 WHIP. Those are laughable stats from a closer, but this bullpen has the worst ERA and WHIP in the league. Jalen Beeks is the next best option, picking up six saves this season behind his 3.60 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.

Kansas City Royals

This one is frustrating because it feels like James McArthur is still the closer, but his ineffectiveness has kept Kansas City in this section. The Royals righty leads the club with 12 saves but has a 7.20 ERA and 1.60 WHIP since May 5. He’s only blown one save in that span, so we have to assume he’ll still get the next chance. If Kansas City wants to go elsewhere, John Schreiber or Angel Zerpa have to be next in line.

Tampa Bay Rays

Pete Fairbanks had to depart again on Tuesday after getting hit on the hand with a comebacker. It’s sad to see this guy get hurt again because he’s appeared in fewer than 100 games over the last three years. Fairbanks has been one of the best closers in that span, but Jason Adam will likely take over if Fairbanks has to miss time. Adam has 23 saves and 43 holds in that same span, posting a 2.26 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. This is a must-add player until we hear more about Fairbanks’ bruised thumb.

Toronto Blue Jays

Being a closer for Toronto has been a scary endeavor this season. Jordan Romano is on the IL for the second time with a reoccurring elbow issue, while Yimi Garcia has joined him on the IL with an elbow injury of his own. Chad Green appears to be next in line. We’ll talk about him later.

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My Saves/Holds Rankings

Rank Player Team
1. Josh Hader HOU
2. Emmanuel Clase CLE
3. Camilo Doval SF
4. Evan Phillips LAD
5. Andres Munoz SEA
6. Ryan Helsley STL
7. Raisel Iglesias ATL
8. Clay Holmes NYY
9. Jhoan Duran MIN
10. Jordan Romano TOR
11. Paul Sewald ARI
12. Pete Fairbanks TB
13. David Bednar PIT
14. Craig Kimbrel BAL
15. Edwin Diaz NYM
16. Robert Suarez SD
17. Alexis Diaz CIN
18. Mason Miller OAK
19. Kirby Yates TEX
20. Kenley Jansen BOS
21. Jason Foley DET
22. Tanner Scott MIA
23. Trevor Megill MIL
24. Jose Alvarado PHI
25. Kyle Finnegan WAS
26. Jason Adam TB
27. Chad Green TOR
28. Ryne Stanek SEA
29. Carlos Estevez LAA
30. JoJo Romero STL

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Relievers on the Rise

Chad Green (TOR)

This Toronto bullpen has been a disaster. Jordan Romano is on the IL for the second time this season, while fill-in Yimi Garcia has joined him on the shelf. They also demoted Erik Swanson, so it appears Green is next. He has a 1.72 ERA and 0.89 WHIP, recording two saves as well.

Jason Adam (TB)

With Fairbanks departing Tuesday’s game, Adam could step in as the closer once again. He had 23 saves over the last two years, filling in for the oft-injured Fairbanks, and will surely get a few chances if Fairbanks has to go on the IL.

Potential Holds Specialists

JoJo Romero, Hunter Harvey, Ryan Pressly, David Robertson, Scott Barlow, Matt Moore, Bryan Abreu, Aroldis Chapman, Yennier Cano.

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Potential Closers on the IL

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

Devin Williams (MIL): The latest update is that Williams resumed throwing and could start mound work this week. Milwaukee said he’ll likely be ready to return at the end of July.

Jordan Romano (TOR): Romano is nearing mound work and could begin a rehab assignment next week. This is his second time dealing with this elbow issue, so we’re not out of the woods yet.

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

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