Fantasy baseball managers are enjoying the quiet before the storm, as there is expected to be a flurry of activity leading up to the MLB trade deadline. Contending teams will almost certainly be looking to reinforce their bullpens. The trade deadline can wreak havoc with MLB closers rankings because a reliever who was his old team’s closer might find himself as a setup man with his new team. We’ll adjust our fantasy baseball closer grid as trades happen, so make sure to refer to it on a regular basis.

The grid is just one of the great resources that can help you win your fantasy baseball leagues. Check out Howard Bender’s Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch for his insights on breaking news about trending fantasy baseball players. For the latest in our video content, which is also updated daily, visit the Fantasy Alarm YouTube channel.    

In the meantime, we still have lots of closer-related news to cover in this week’s bullpen report. Please enjoy!

Saves Leaders Over The Past Week

Rays All-Star closer Bryan Baker is climbing the MLB closers rankings and led the way with four saves last week. His 25 overall saves put him just two saves behind Guardians closer Cade Smith for the MLB lead. Baker had just four big league career saves and a 3.86 ERA entering the 2026 season, but has a 1.73 ERA, 0.826 WHIP, and a 41:11 K:BB ratio in 36.1 IP. Padres closer Mason Miller and Phillies closer Jhoan Duran each have 23 saves this season, the third most in baseball.

Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman converted three saves last week. He could be a closer who might find himself traded before the MLB trade deadline, but with the Red Sox playing better of late, the Sox might opt to hold onto him and try to make a run at making the playoffs.

Eleven other closers had two saves last week, including Jordan Romano, who was recently promoted from the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate. If you’ll recall, Romano was one of MLB’s best closers from the 2021 to 2023 seasons, recording 95 saves for the Blue Jays during that time frame. He has struggled since then, and the Angels released him earlier this season after he posted a 10.13 ERA in 11 appearances. The Rockies signed him to a minor league deal in early May, and Romano had 10 strikeouts and walked one batter in 9.2 IP for the Rockies’ farm teams, which prompted him to be recalled to the big leagues. He’s only appeared in three games for the Rockies and hasn’t given up a run in 3 IP, while striking out five batters and walking one. Tread lightly before opting to add him to your fantasy baseball roster, but with the state of the Rockies’ bullpen, he might be given additional save opportunities moving forward.

Orioles reliever Tyler Wells could be moving up the MLB closers rankings if he continues to be used as the team's closer now that Ryan Helsley is back on the IL. Wells recorded two saves for the O’s last week, and they’re the Orioles’ only two saves since Helsley has been sidelined. Helsley is dealing with elbow inflammation for the second time this season and is seeking a second opinion on his diagnosis, which isn’t a good sign. Wells has a 2.95 ERA and 1.033 WHIP this season. Wells could hold onto the closer’s role for the Orioles moving forward, but Andrew Kittredge and Rico Garcia could also be in the mix for save opportunities as well.

Cubs reliever Jacob Webb also had two saves last week and could be the favorite for additional save opportunities in the near future with closer Daniel Palencia on the IL. Palencia, who is dealing with a mild flexor strain, is not expected to return to action until late July or early August. Caleb Thielbar could also be in the mix for save opportunities, but Trent Thornton is another Cubs reliever who is emerging as a potential late-inning high-leverage option. Walks had been an issue for Thornton, but in his last eight appearances spanning 7.2 IP, he has two saves, a hold, and four strikeouts with just one walk allowed. He has a 1.17 ERA during that time frame.

Tigers closer Kenley Jansen, who has consistently been one of MLB’s best closers throughout his career, seems back on track and also picked up two saves last week.

 

 

 

Holds Leaders Over The Past Week

Five different late-inning high-leverage relievers secured 3 holds last week. They include Rays setup man Garrett Cleavinger, Braves setup man Dylan Lee, Red Sox setup man Garrett Whitlock, emerging Marlins setup man Michael Petersen, and Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby. 

Entering Friday’s action, Ashby leads the major leagues in wins with 12. Wins are tough to project, especially for a reliever, but he has seven holds this season. 

Sixteen relievers recorded two holds last week, including Tigers setup man Kyle Finnegan. Finnegan is a name to keep tabs on, just in case the Tigers decide to trade Kenley Jansen. 

Relievers To Take Note Of

Grant Taylor, White Sox

With Seranthony Dominguez being used in the sixth and seventh innings of games since he blew back-to-back save opportunities on June 21st and 22nd, the White Sox’s bullpen appears to be in flux. Sean Newcomb, Tyler Schweitzer (currently in the minors), and Grant Taylor have converted the last three save opportunities for the Sox. Taylor seems to have the stuff (upper 90 mph fastball, hard slider, curve, and sinker) that can help him climb up the MLB closers rankings and looks like the favorite to potentially take over as the team’s closer.  Keep an eye on Trevor Richards and Jordan Hicks as well. Hicks has 36 career saves, and in his last nine outings (8.1 IP), he has a 14:1 K:BB ratio as well as a 1.08 ERA. Richards has 15 strikeouts and four walks in his last seven appearances spanning 9.1 IP and has a 0.96 ERA during that time period.

Jonathan Bowlan, Phillies

The Phillies have one of MLB’s best closers in Jhoan Duran, and Brad Keller has recently been taken off the IL, but Bowlan is putting together an under-the-radar type of season and should be on your watch list. He has a 21:2 K:BB ratio and four holds over his last 12.1 IP spanning 15 appearances, as well as a 0.73 ERA during that time frame.

Brent Headrick, Yankees

Headrick has quietly been one of the Yankees’ most reliable relievers. He has a 1.57 ERA and 1.130 WHIP in 46 appearances. He has 52 strikeouts in 46 IP and has recorded 10 holds this season.