2026 Fantasy Baseball: Closer Rankings and Bullpen Depth Charts

Ah, we had our first 60-degree day of March here in Chicago this weekend, and with that, the hope of false spring flows eternal. Except… we likely will have three or four more weeks of winter weather. It warms me up just a little to start talking MLB bullpens and 2026 closer rankings.

Early indications have been that the elite tier of closers is going earlier in drafts. We do see stages of closer runs. The top 12 are usually selected in the first 110 picks in most places, so the cost is high.

Let’s take a look at bullpens that will have changed hands since our last article in October 2025.

MLB Bullpen Depth Charts

AL East

Ryan Helsley takes over in Baltimore, and he is being drafted as a top-tier closer.  Lefty Keegan Akin and veteran Yennier Cano should be the top setup options.

David Bednar will have the closer job to himself in New York. Last year, we had suggested that the Yankees’ moves in July were setting up for this, as they expected to lose both Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to free agency. Management acquired both Bednar and Camilo Doval at the 2025 trade deadline, who should be the top setup option for a team with hopes of a deep playoff run.

Bednar’s strikeout percentage was a whopping 34.3% last season. He seems fully back.

Tampa Bay may be going back to a committee situation, with current front-runners Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger the favorites to split the role. The uncertain status of Edwin Uceta and his balky shoulder clouds the crystal ball here.

AL Central

The Chicago White Sox used some of the money saved on Luis Robert Jr. and bought a closer in Seranthony Dominguez. That move pushed Jordan Leasure and Grant Taylor to set-up roles. Of intrigue is that the Sox have publicly stated that they want to get Taylor 100 innings out of the bullpen this year. He could be a valuable dart throw in drafts this spring as a stopper who could get holds and lots of strikeouts.

The Detroit Tigers brought in veteran Kenley Jansen into their mix, adding him to Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan. Jansen will be the closer. Vest and Finnegan could vulture some saves, but will likely each register 20+ holds.

The new man in Minnesota is Taylor Rogers, who should be the best bet for early saves here. Liam Hendriks is lurking and could be part of this menagerie at some point, too.

AL West

The Athletics appear to be in a committee situation. Roster Resource paints this as a three-horse race between Hogan Harris, Justin Sterner, and veteran Mark Leiter Jr. Of the three, I believe that Sterner has the best skill set to do the job.

Lots to like in Sterner’s Statcast profile below.

Bryan Abreu should start the year as the closer in Houston. Josh Hader‘s balky shoulder continues to give me pause. It is hard to see when or if Hader could be ready. Abreu’s value is skyrocketing up draft boards.

Committee work could hit Los Angeles, where veterans Robert Stephenson, Kirby Yates, and Drew Pomeranz all could vie for saves. My friend Greg Jewett always points out that we should follow the money in a bullpen; Stephenson has the big contract, and if healthy, should get first crack at the saves. If not, the crafty Yates would seem most likely to step into the role.

NL East

Pete Fairbanks lands in Miami, which should put Calvin Faucher and Tyler Phillips into top setup roles. This has the makings of a really good bullpen, with Anthony Bender and Andrew Nardi also involved.

Devin Williams switches New York teams and will close for the Mets, who also added Luke Weaver. I am not worried about Williams and think he will be dominant once again.

Washington: looks like a competition between Clayton Beeter and Cole Henry, two pitchers with high draft pedigrees now in the bullpen. Beeter has the better stuff, but there might not be many save chances in Washington this year.

NL Central

Is it a co-closer situation in Milwaukee between Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe? It very well could be. However, they co-existed in 2025 with Megill getting 30 saves and Uribe leading the major leagues in hplds with 37. Uribe took over the job when Megill missed time with a shoulder injury in the fall. One or the other could be traded, which would then leave the full job for the other. Something to watch here in the spring.

Similar situation with lesser arms in St. Louis, between JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien. Both should be trade candidates, with Romero likely fetching a higher price. A name to watch here is Matt Svandson, who I like better than both Romero and O’Brien. Look for Romero to start with the role in order to build trade value.

NL West

Injury chaos reigned supreme last year in Arizona, where they lost both closers in A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez. Lefty Andrew Saalfrank took over, but he is also on the injured list to begin the year. The competition right now appears to be between veterans Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald, neither of whom inspires confidence. Expect Ginkel to start with the job. But there are two other names I am watching here: Kade Strowd and Drey Jameson.

Edwin Diaz takes over for Tanner Scott in Los Angeles. And the rich get richer…

Join me weekly as we take a look at the ever-shifting bullpen landscape in the major leagues. You can always reach me on X at the worst handle of all time, @mdrc0508. My DMs are open, and I do respond eventually.

For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.

2026 Closer Rankings

I have also compiled some closer rankings. I feel like closer rankings are fairly arbitrary and subject to change at any given moment. I have broken the closers and other viable bullpen arms into tiers. In deeper leagues, I would try to get one of the top two-tier guys, and then build off that with someone from the third tier. The fourth tier is the last shot at earning saves, and the last tier is speculative picks who could get saves down the road if not immediately.

For example, you could snag someone like David Bednar as your SP1, and then add someone like Kenley Jansen as your SP2, and then Grant Taylor as a speculative pick. That should get you into the middle of the pack for saves in your leagues.

One last note: as we transition from a long winter to spring across the country, please make sure you are taking care of your mental health. Take care of yourself, and give yourself breaks in a world that is so rushed so much of the time. By day, I work with mentally ill teenagers and have tons of resources. Do not ever be afraid to reach out to me; there is no shame, and this is a judgment-free zone.

Happy relief pitcher searching!