The value of an elite reliever increases significantly in deep fantasy baseball leagues. Not only are there fewer full-time closers on teams but only a few of those consistently getting save chances are providing positive fantasy contributions. In fact, this season the closer landscape has been filled with land mines. With the league-wide average bullpen ERA currently at 4.10, it’s likely few teams have gone unscathed. That’s why this week’s deep league waiver wire target article is completely focused on viable reliever options that could be on the cusp of taking over as their team’s primary closer option.
Deep League Waiver Wire Targets for Week 9
15-Team Mixed League Targets
1. Robert Garcia, RP, Rangers (32% rostered)
It seems the stars are quickly aligning for Robert Garcia to get in the Rangers save opportunity mix. Not only is he pitching at a career-best clip, with a 1.47 ERA so far, but the Rangers’ bullpen is thinning out quickly due to injuries. In particular, the current closer, Luke Jackson, and setup pitcher, Chris Martin, both had injury scares this week. In the meantime, Garcia keeps on rolling with a sub-1.00 WHIP on the season. Should Jackson and Martin miss extended time or falter in their return, Garcia looks poised to step in as a lockdown closer option and a valuable waiver wire addition.
Since April 9th, Rangers reliever Robert Garcia has allowed just 1 earned run.
1 earned run in over a month 👀🔥 #AllForTX pic.twitter.com/Ihxb8kfhMd— Kane McCutchen (@Kane_McCutchen6) May 13, 2025
2. Yimi Garcia, RP, Blue Jays (31% rostered)
Always a bride, never a bridesmaid is an appropriate quip for Yimi Garcia’s career. Always as a setup pitcher but never a true closer, except for in 2021, when he shined as the Marlins’ primary closer for a short period of time. Since then, he has been a regular contributor of holds with strong ratios. Now, with the Blue Jays planned closer, Jeff Hoffman, faltering, it appears a new opportunity may be arising for Yimi Garcia to earn saves. In fact, he was just called on for a save in his last outing. Despite a couple of rough outings in early May, Garcia has been mostly dominant again this season.
Yimi GarcÃa's 2Ks in the 9th. pic.twitter.com/fWgiAGQgXq
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 2, 2025
AL-Only League Waiver Wire Target
Cam Booser, RP, White Sox (2% rostered)
This endorsement of Cam Booser as a speculative waiver wire add in AL-only leagues is largely based on the opportunity, more than the productivity. It’s not to say that Booser has been awful this season, but his 4.50 ERA does little to inspire waiver wire action in mixed leagues. However, he has seemed to settle in so far in May, with only one earned run allowed in five innings to date. Booser earned a save on May 11th and seems destined for more opportunities in the near future.
Cam Booser pitched a 1-2-3 10th inning with two strikeouts for Chicago#FormerRedSox https://t.co/u2OAGUrxKJ
— Richard Slate (@RichSlate) May 14, 2025
NL-Only League Waiver Wire Target
Pierce Johnson, RP, Braves (11%)
One of the biggest closer letdowns so far this season has to be Raisel Iglesias of the Atlanta Braves. Time may be finally catching up with the 35-year-old, as his ERA has ballooned to 5.71 for the season. Like other struggling closers, their teams can handle only so many blown saves in a short period. With three blown saves already this season, the leash is shortening quickly for Iglesias. Meanwhile, Pierce Johnson has been cruising with a 2.16 ERA on the season. With four holds and a save on the season so far it’s likely Johnson will be in the mix should Iglesias lose his grip on the role.
Pierce Johnson!
Lowest BB% of his career this year!
Funny enough, he is giving up his 2nd highest HardHit% of his career but is rocking a 30.4 K%.Don't walk batters kids🤣 pic.twitter.com/k3BmskQzKb
— DallasCroob (@DallasCroob) May 14, 2025
BONUS NL-Only League Waiver Wire Target
Drew Pomeranz, RP, Cubs (8%)
As a reflection of the disastrous state of closer performances so far this season, I felt compelled to include a bonus suggestion for NL-only leagues. The Cubs have been a dominant team in most aspects of the game this season, except for their bullpen. Their team’s bullpen ERA is presently at 4.59, and their top two options, Ryan Pressly and Porter Hodge, are the lead culprits. Their struggles this season have left the Cubs searching for an answer with little success. That is, until Pomeranz got into the mix of late-inning appearances. In his 8.2 innings pitched so far this season, he has a 0.00 ERA and a 0.46 WHIP. He even secured his first save recently, which may be a sign of a role change in the works.
Are we just waiting for the bottom to fall out on the Cubs' newest relief revival, or is Drew Pomeranz legit? https://t.co/YizEYLUEqj #cubs #chicago #behereforit
— North Side Baseball (@northsidebaseb) May 14, 2025
Got a few deep league waiver wire targets of your own? Tell me who is standing out to you by sharing in the comments below.
