Bullpens Pre-Trade Deadline Speculation

We are taking a slightly different tactic in covering bullpens this week. As we near the trade deadline, we need to start thinking of which relievers might be on the move. Subsequently, we need to determine how their arrivals and their departures from their former teams impact the closer market for us in our fantasy baseball leagues.

A caveat to keep in mind: some teams might be open for business, and could move their high-leverage arms who are not closers. I think there will be many moves involving relief pitchers, including some that will surprise us. The market figures to be robust and evolving over the next two weeks as teams decide if they are in or out of the playoff races. Put your seatbelts on, friends. It is about to get bumpy.

Teams Looking to Add Closers

Detroit Tigers

They have had a great run to the top of MLB, but they are going to need back-end help to assist Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle. An experienced closer would make sense here. While both veterans have been outstanding, a team looking to go on a deep run should likely invest in more bullpen help. The Tigers could use a high-octane flamethrower at the end of games. It will be interesting to see how the Tigers go about their trade deadline.

Philadelphia Phillies 

Their most glaring weakness is the bullpen. Jose Alvarado will return at some point, but he is prohibited from participating in the playoffs. Moving Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm back to high-leverage roles makes sense if they decide to upgrade the closer position. Felix Bautista would be an incredible fit here if he is available.

Chicago Cubs 

Pure speculation on my part, but I am not sure the Cubs’ top brass feels strongly about current closer Daniel Palencia. A veteran with closing experience makes a ton of sense for a team that has deep playoff aspirations. They could then bump Palencia into a high-leverage role. So many are talking about the Cubs adding a third baseman and starting pitcher, but adding bullpen help makes sense too…and might be easier, and less costly.

Texas Rangers 

I am unsure how much this team will want to spend as they hover around the break-even point, but if they think they are hunting a Wild Card berth, they could add a closer. They would need a closer in a playoff run. Someone like Kenley Jansen might make sense here.

Teams Looking to Add High-Leverage Help (Not Necessarily Closers)

Los Angeles Dodgers 

Rumors abound that the Dodgers will look to add to the bullpen. And that makes sense, despite all the resources thrown at it over the winter. But Tanner Scott has shown cracks in the armor; despite his 19 saves, he has a 4.09 ERA. Alex Vesia and Kirby Yates have been the top setup options, but Michael Kopech is nursing a knee issue, Evan Phillips is out for the year after TJS, and Brusdar Graterol may or may not be back in the second half. Blake Treinen should return in the next week or so. Yet a team with this monstrous payroll and monstrous expectations will likely look to add here. Wouldn’t you love to see Shohei Ohtani close out playoff games?  A guy can dream…

Boston Red Sox 

A fascinating team. Do they buy or sell?  If they sell, Aroldis Chapman is an attractive chip. If they think they are in it, they could add high-leverage help to support Chapman. Currently, Garrett Whitlock and Greg Weissert are the top high-leverage options. Jordan Hicks could end up being a secret weapon here, too. Based on recent developments, like a 10-game winning streak and a hot lineup, expect the Red Sox to be in.

New York Yankees

Simply because they are always in, they could look for a high-leverage arm to add to their mix, with both Mark Leiter Jr. and Fernando Cruz on the IL. Adding a guy like Cade Smith here would be devastating to the AL East.

Teams That Are (or Should Be) Open For Business

Baltimore Orioles

There has been speculation over the last few weeks about what the disappointing Orioles might do to retool for 2026. It appears they are listening on Felix Bautista, but seem less inclined to move him unless they are blown away. What makes more sense is that high-leverage guys like Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto, Yennier Cano, and Andrew Kittredge could be available and likely moved.

Chicago White Sox

The Sox are clearly out of it and have been all season, and the only untouchable here would be rookie Grant Taylor. Veterans like Steven Wilson, who has a 2.15 ERA, and lefty Cam Booser (if healthy) could fetch minor returns for a rebuilding White Sox team.

Kansas City Royals 

The Royals sit three games below.500 at this point, and they are 12 games out of first place. Carlos Estevez and Lucas Erceg would be extremely valuable if on the trade market. Estevez leads the American League in saves and made the All-Star team. If Estevez goes and Erceg stays, he becomes the odds-on favorite to close in Kansas City. It will be interesting to see what the organization does here.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins are 47-49 but in second place in the AL Central, and getting healthier. Yet if they decide to be on the market, they hold two key pieces in closer Jhoan Duran and setup man extraordinaire Griffin Jax. Both would be costly for a team to acquire.

Cleveland Guardians

Maybe the most intriguing team on this list. Emmanuel Clase would be the top name on the market if he is available, but high-leverage guys Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith would be great gets for any team. Cleveland has been highly disappointing this year. Paul Sewald, if he returns to health, could be on the move as well. Clase is on a team-friendly deal as well, so it would cost a mint in prospects if a team wants him.

Athletics 

Are the Athletics listening on Mason Miller?  They should be. Rumors abound that contenders are looking at Miller as a top bullpen option now, while other teams would like to acquire him to develop him back into a starter. Should he be traded, I would love to see rookie Jack Perkins given a shot at closing. Take a look at Perkins and think about nabbing him on a cheap FAAB bid this weekend.

Los Angeles Angels

They have Kenley Jansen, and at 47-49, there seems little reason to hold on to him, although they harbor hope for a playoff run. Could they also trade lefty Reid Detmers, who has been a revelation this season in an eighth-inning role? Jose Fermin could step in at closer, or we could see Robert Stephenson come back and close once off the IL.

Atlanta Braves 

The Braves have had an incredibly disappointing season and should be sellers later this month. Teams should be taking a long look at the resurgent Raisel Iglesias, who hasn’t given up a run in six weeks, and has his ERA down to 4.42, the K-rate up to 27.3%, and the hard-hit percentage to 31.4%. He should be of interest to many teams. Veterans like Pierce Johnson and Aaron Bummer could also draw interest.

Miami Marlins

Calvin Faucher and Anthony Bender should draw interest. I would expect Ronny Henriquez to stay in Miami and work the closer role for the rest of the 2025 season.

Washington Nationals

Kyle Finnegan should be on the move, and if he gets traded, he likely goes to a team that does not use him as a closer. Veteran Andrew Chafin could go, too. Next up…Andry Lara? Cole Henry?

Pittsburgh Pirates 

The Pirates have held on to local native David Bednar, but now is a golden opportunity to move him and fetch a return. Bednar has 13 saves to go with a tidy 2.53 ERA and 34,6% K%. Teams looking for experience at the back end of their bullpen will pay to get him. Dennis Santana could easily go too, and if that happens, look for rookies Braxton Ashcraft and Isaac Mattson to perhaps get opportunities in high-leverage and closing.

Colorado Rockies 

You might not think the Rockies have much to give, but they have pieces that could be useful to the right team. Veterans Victor Vodnik, Tyler Kinley, and Jake Bird could be on the move. Bird is perhaps the most interesting, with a 3.62 ERA, 10 holds, and a 27.4% K%. Vodnik gets a ton of groundball outs with a 56.3% rate. Seth Halvorsen would seem likely to stay and be the closer for the worst team in baseball.

Finally, let’s also remember that veteran relief ace David Robertson is also looking for a home this month and would be an excellent addition to most teams.

We will keep tabs on moves over the next two weeks and, as always, keep you updated on a weekly basis. You can always DM me on Twitter @mdrc0508 if you have direct, burning questions.