I haven’t had much time to reflect on this or even research it, but the wacky world of bullpens seems a little less wacky this year, doesn’t it?
With only a few weeks to go, and playoff spots being fought for in MLB, our fake teams may need every save, hold and ratio point they can get. Here’s hoping you find something here to help you out this week.
As always, what counts most is your mental health. My DMs are always open @mdrc0508 if you want to talk bullpens or talk life. Let’s be there for each other.
More great fantasy baseball advice and analysis: Waiver Wire & FAAB Recommendations | Daily MLB Injury Report | MLB DFS Picks | Line-up Analysis | Dynasty Rankings and Strategy | MLB Bullpen Updates | MLB Player Props | Prospect Rankings & Analysis | Fantasy Baseball Risers and Fallers
Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report
AL East
Yennier Cano is the odds-on favorite to continue to get save chances in Balitmore. But did anyone notice that Shintaro Fujinami got a save this week? I did… but that is most likely due to my being a bullpen nerd. Don’t sleep on Fujinami or Danny Coulumbe if you need holds or a chip-in save here and there.
A quiet activation in Toronto: veteran righty Chad Green was activated a week ago and has two wins during that time. The top options for holds right now behind closer Jordan Romano are lefty Genesis Cabrera and righty Jordan Hicks. Just something to think about here, as he could climb into a higher leverage role if others struggle.
AL Central
The Chicago White Sox are looking like a AAA team aside from the hot hitting of Yoan Moncada (please don’t ask me about it). Gregory Santos lost a game this week…. on a walk-off BALK. Yes. The door is wide open here, as proven by Bryan Shaw‘s save on Tuesday. Aaron Bummer looks to be the top candidate for holds as we enter the last vestiges of a lost season for the White Sox. It is also true that Michael Kopech has been moved to the bullpen; could he reclaim the stopper role he served so well in the last time the Sox were good in 2021? Manager Pedro Grifol suggested this move was just for the rest of this year and that Kopech would be in the 2024 rotation. This typifies the White Sox organization as no one seems to be able to help Kopech become the starter he seemed capable of being. Kopech’s two-pitch mix seems to work better out of the bullpen.
In Cleveland, Emmanuel Clase has 39 saves. Alas, he also has 10 blown saves as well. He is in no danger of losing the job, but there have been quiet questions about overuse. The Guardians claimed veterans Matt Moore and Reynaldo Lopez off waivers last week. Taking a deeper look at the usage patterns, Moore has become more of a middle-inning option and Lopez has been in a higher leverage role and looks to be supplanting Trevor Stephan as their top setup option.
AL West
In Oakland, Trevor May continues to get the save opportunities and converted all three of his chances this week. It appears that the top options behind him for holds are Dany Jimenez and Sean Newcomb right now. Walks have become a bugaboo for former top setup guy Lucas Erceg, and he is working that out in middle relief right now. Jimenez is interesting in that he has some closing experience and could vulture some chances away from May. Also of note: Oakland activated Mason Miller this week and put him in the bullpen. Miller could be an interesting addition in a points league where you could use his relief work in an SP slot on your roster, although he might have his outings and pitches limited over the coming month.
The situation in Texas has not been any relief for manager Bruce Bochy. There is no clarity at the top of the bullpen order right now; Josh Sborz went to the IL with a hamstring injury after a 36-pitch outing earlier this week. Both Aroldis Chapman and Will Smith have had their struggles. Chapman threw a clean inning on Wednesday after having surrendered runs in five consecutive outings. Smith was awful most of August but has five straight scoreless appearances since then, leading me to believe that he may be called upon in the next save chance. The Rangers have not converted a save this week. Jose Leclerc could also be a factor here. Texas recalled veteran Ian Kennedy this week too. He does not seem to fit into the closer mix…at least not yet. Last night, Smith came on to get the last out of the seventh and pitched the eighth before ceding the ninth inning to Chapman, who converted the save while working through two walks. Hold on to your hats!
NL East
A little shakeup in the hierarchy in Atlanta behind closer Raisel Iglesias. Pierce Johnson and Kirby Yates are the setup guys being used most days behind stopper A.J. Minter. Both Joe Jimenez and Brad Hand are being used as middle-relief options now. Something to watch if you are looking for holds and the occasional vulture save. The Braves have an embarrassment of riches.
Tanner Scott earned three saves this week to solidify his role as the closer in Miami. Andrew Nardi picked up a win and a hold this week.
NL Central
The Chicago Cubs quietly gained some reinforcements this week, and Brandon Hughes is aiming for a late-season return to give this group a shot in the arm and is currently on a rehab assignment in AAA Iowa. Hard-throwing lefty Luke Little was added to the mix, and the team also activated veteran Brad Boxberger this week. Mark Leiter Jr. and Julian Merryweather remain the top high-leverage guys for now lined up to get holds in front of closer Adbert Alzolay.
It’s great to see Tejay Antone back with the Cincinnati Reds this week. He has been used in middle relief and likely will stay there this season as he works his way back from his second Tommy John surgery in 2021. If you recall the name, it’s because he was the closer when he got hurt. This is a name to file next year who could be in a high-leverage role next year behind closer Alexis Diaz.
Before last night, St. Louis had not had a save chance since last Sunday, which Giovanny Gallegos received and converted. This will be a committee the rest of the way between Gallegos and Ryan Helsley. Last night Gallegos worked a scoreless eighth, leaving the ninth for Helsley, who converted for the save.
NL West
Colorado has had a tough season, and their bullpen is no exception. Justin Lawrence is in a tough stretch and former closer Daniel Bard hit the IL again this week. This would seemingly leave save chances for Tyler Kinley and maybe Jake Bird or Matt Koch. My advice would be to avoid this bullpen unless you are completely desperate for saves. I am not sold on Kinley as a closer, but the Rockies and manager Bud Black might not have many options right now.
Camilo Doval earned his 36th save last night while surrendering a run against the Colorado Rockies last night. It appears that manager Gabe Kapler is allowing him to work out his issues while maintaining the closer role.