A week has passed since the trade deadline and the dust has settled on many of the closing situations around the league. It wasn’t just the trade deadline shaking things up as we also saw a pair of closers in the NL West change roles, and one cut from the team in the process. With over a month and a half left in the season, there’s still time to pick up plenty of saves where you need them. Let’s take a look at where things stand along with the closer rankings as I go division by division summarizing each team’s bullpen usage for the week.

AL Bullpen Depth Charts and Closer Rankings

+ Injury Concern

* Part of Committee

AL East

Shawn Armstrong and Paul Fry each picked up a save for the Orioles this week in what is a full committee. Armstrong recorded his fourth save while Fry picked up his third of the season. Mychal Givens, Shawn Armstrong, and Paul Fry all have ERAs north of four. Givens leads the group with nine saves but has only recorded five since June 1.

The closing situation in Boston is looking a little less like a committee and a little more like Brandon Workman’s job with each day. Workman earned his sixth save of the season on Monday and was called upon Wednesday night in the ninth inning of a tie game. Workman has been a bright spot in the Red Sox bullpen with a 1.99 ERA. Nathan Eovaldi was expected to claim the closer job upon his return from the injured list but has been mostly ineffective with a 6.59 ERA. Eovaldi gave up the game-tying run in the seventh inning on Wednesday. He clearly has a long way to go before he can be trusted in the ninth inning. At this point, he might no longer be worth holding on to.

Aroldis Chapman seems to have righted the ship after a shaky month of July, converting three saves on the week. Chapman leads the AL with 30 saves and trails only Kirby Yates with 32 for the MLB lead. Chad Green picked up a save on Sunday after Chapman had pitched the previous two days. It was Ottavino who stayed in the game recording five outs to pick up the save on Tuesday after Chapman had pitched three of the previous four days.

Emilio Pagan has been the most consistent arm out of the bullpen for the Rays. Pagan picked up his ninth save on Saturday but has been used in various situations in what is a true committee. Jose Alvarado is on a rehab assignment and could find himself in the mix for late-inning work upon his return. Newly acquired Nick Anderson picked up a win on Saturday after pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Pagan is still the one to own in this bullpen for saves as I expect him to get more save opportunities than anyone else.

Ken Giles has been dealing with elbow issues throughout the season and has not been cleared to throw in back-to-back games. While Giles was absent, it was Derek Law that converted two save opportunities. Giles returned and picked up his 15th save of the season Wednesday, though it wasn’t easy after giving up two runs in the ninth inning to the Rays. If health issues persist for Giles, Derek Law is clearly next in line.

AL Central

Alex Colome recorded his 22nd save on Tuesday, his first save since July 20. Owners of Colome were probably relieved to see that he didn’t go anywhere at the deadline as he has been one of the better values at closer this season. This comes much to the disappointment of all those stashing Aaron Bummer, who is next in line for saves in Chicago.

One of the top closers in the game, Brad Hand recorded his 28th save of the season on Wednesday. It was his first save since July 21. Hand has been consistently near the top of the closer rankings all season and should continue to remain that way.

Joe Jimenez has been a popular pickup after taking over as the Tigers closer, a move that has been anticipated for seemingly years. Jimenez has yet to record his first save of the season. With a 5.02 ERA, Jimenez has been prone to terrible outings, but the closer job is his to lose for the time being. The Tigers shouldn’t be expected to win many games, so he could end up with just as many saves from this point on as someone in a committee such as Emilio Pagan.

No save opportunities arose for one of the biggest values at the closer position this season. Ian Kennedy has 20 saves on the season, not bad for someone that went largely undrafted. Even on a bad Royals team, you’ll take what Kennedy has given you and what he’ll continue to give you for the rest of the season.

The Twins made a few moves at the deadline picking up Sam Dyson and Sergio Romo. There was speculation their bullpen could be a committee situation. Dyson was called upon to convert a save last Thursday after Rogers had pitched the previous two days. Dyson loaded the bases without recording an out and it was Rogers that had to come in to clean up the mess. Rogers was credited with a blown save after allowing the game-tying run to score off a two-run single. The following day, Sergio Romo converted the save and Sam Dyson was placed on the IL. Rogers eventually converted his 17th save of the season on Sunday. It appears as though Rogers is safe with the closer role despite the acquisitions.

AL West

Roberto Osuna converted his 25th save of the season in his lone appearance this week. Osuna is one of the top young closers in the game on the best team in baseball. There’s no reason not to have him in the top five of the closer rankings. Setup man Ryan Pressly has rejoined the team and could be activated this weekend.

Hansel Robles gave up a run in his lone appearance this week. It was the third time in five outings that Robles had given up a run after not giving one up for nearly a month. Ty Buttrey has been shaky as well and it would not surprise me if someone like Cam Bedrosian or Justin Anderson were used in higher leverage situations. Though I believe Robles is safe with the closer role.

Liam Hendriks has gotten back on track, picking up his 10th and 11th save this week. There was a stretch where Hendriks had looked like he had come back down to Earth after he went nearly two months without giving up a run. I don’t expect Hendriks to lose the job to Blake Treinen anytime soon if at all this season.

Seattle traded Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland at the deadline. Elias had been the closer while Strickland missed much of the year to injury. Now, Anthony Bass is expected to act as closer for the Mariners. Bass converted his first save since the trade deadline on Wednesday. A 3.38 ERA and 7.67 K/9 doesn’t exactly scream closer to you, but it’s the best option the Mariners have at this time.

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward confirmed Jose LeClerc has earned his job back as the team’s closer. LeClerc earned his seventh save of the season Monday against the Indians. Shawn Kelley was acting as the team’s closer but hit the injured list with bicep discomfort. Kelley was activated but the job remains LeClerc’s. I would still rank LeClerc fairly low in my closer rankings until he shows he could be trusted to perform consistently.

NL Bullpen Depth Charts and Closer Rankings

+ Injury Concern

* Part of Committee

NL East

As suspected, Luke Jackson was removed from the closer role in favor of All-Star Shane Greene. Greene himself has scuffled in his first week with his new team, earning a loss and a blown save. Greene had been pitching better than what his underlying stats said he should throughout the season so regression was to be expected with a 2.20 ERA and 4.22 FIP. Chris Martin and Mark Melancon were acquired to bolster the bullpen and could find themselves in the mix for saves should Greene continue to struggle.

A week after the trade deadline, we still don’t have a clear picture of who will be closing games for the Marlins. Jarlin Garcia gave up his first runs since June 14 on Saturday against the Rays. Tayron Guerrero gave up three on Sunday while recording only one out. Ryne Stanek was acquired from the Rays and could find himself in the role after previously excelling as an opener. Adam Conley leads the current team with two saves.

Mickey Callaway reiterated this week that Edwin Diaz will remain the team’s closer. This isn’t the first time he’s had to say that this year. It’s been a disappointing season for Diaz after the Mets paid heavily for his services. Diaz preserved a four-run lead in game one of the Mets doubleheader with the Marlins on Monday. Seth Lugo picked up the save in the second game. Diaz has a 5.32 ERA with a 4.24 FIP and 3.30 xFIP. I would still bank of the skill that the 14.52 K/9 clearly shows is there, and the acquisition cost should continue to let Diaz see the ninth inning going forward.

Hector Neris remains at 19 saves on the season after not seeing any save opportunities, but he’s now thrown seven consecutive scoreless innings while allowing only one hit and one walk. Nick Pivetta seems to have found his role for the season with a 2.31 ERA and 15 strikeouts in six relief appearances since joining the bullpen. Pivetta recorded a two-inning save Saturday against the White Sox and could fill the role Seranthony Dominguez was in last season. Although Neris is expected to hold on to closing duties going forward.

Sean Doolittle’s is up to 25 saves on the season after picking up two since the last closer rankings. Doolittle has been fantastic all season as he’s been able to stay healthy. With nearly two months left, Doolittle will pitch more innings this season than any since he threw 62.2 in 2014. Doolittle received some help at the deadline with the acquisitions of Hunter Strickland and Daniel Hudson. Hudson could be the next man up should Doolittle spend any time away.

NL Central

Craig Kimbrel was placed on the 10-day IL with knee inflammation. While the absence should not be a long one, manager Joe Maddon expects to use multiple guys to fill the ninth-inning role. David Phelps and Tyler Chatwood picked up saves for the Cubs this week. Pedro Strop returned from the IL and Steve Cishek has been the setup man behind Kimbrel. Kimbrel stated that he could have pitched through the injury, suggesting the stay on the IL could be for the minimum.

Raisel Iglesias has pitched seven consecutive scoreless outings, picking up two saves over the last week in the process. Iglesias now stands at 22 saves on the season. Michael Lorenzen and Amir Garrett could pick up save chances on nights that Iglesias is not available.

Josh Hader pitched on three consecutive days for the first time this season last week when the Brewers visited Oakland. It didn’t work out well for Hader as he blew his second save in three days. Hader has been one of the most valuable relievers all season but has been prone to mini-slumps. Hader has given up 28 hits this season and 11 of them have left the park. After Hader needed 28 pitches to record his 25th save on Monday, it was Matt Albers who closed the game Tuesday. Hader should remain among the top closers in the game, but the ninth inning may be opening up to others on occasion as the situation calls for.

Felipe Vazquez has not recorded a save since July 16 as the Pirates have completely fallen off. Vazquez has been one of the best relievers in the game with a 1.79 ERA, 14.29 K/9, and 21 saves. He should remain among the top even with the team context going forward. Kyle Crick has been ineffective behind Vazquez and he was charged with a blown save on Saturday.

The Cardinals have lost five in a row and didn’t see a save opportunity come up until Wednesday afternoon. With St. Louis up by one run it was Andrew Miller who came out for the ninth. Carlos Martinez, the team’s closer, hadn’t pitched in a week. Miller recorded one out and left a man on when Martinez was summoned to protect the lead. Martinez allowed the game-winning runs to score on a single by Russell Martin. Martinez has otherwise been effective as the team’s closer. I wouldn’t look too much into Wednesday’s mishap as Martinez hadn’t pitched in a week and was asked to come in the game with a runner already on base.

NL West

The Greg Holland experiment in Arizona is officially over. Holland was DFA’d, officially leaving Archie Bradley as the team’s closer. Bradley picked up his second save of the season on Sunday and has not allowed a run to score since June 22. If Bradley is available in your league I would pick him up over the likes of Jose LeClerc and Anthony Bass, Scott Oberg, or those in committee situations such as Emilio Pagan.

Another blow-up in Colorado sent Wade Davis out of the ninth inning role as he was replaced by Scott Oberg as the team’s closer. Oberg has a 1.53 ERA on the season and picked up his fourth save on Friday. Oberg should be picked up anywhere you need saves as I expect him to hold on to the closer job for the remainder of the season.

Kenley Jansen saw his third straight week with only one appearance, picking up his 26th save of the season Tuesday against the Cardinals. While Jansen has had his moments this season with a 3.50 ERA, you’ve been generally happy with the solid production he has provided.

Kirby Yates picked up his MLB leading 32nd save on Friday against the Dodgers. He was then called up again Sunday but could not get the job done as he was charged with a blown save. I don’t think any other team is responsible for more blown saves as the Dodgers this season. It was the first run Yates had given up since June 23 as he has otherwise been terrific. Andres Munoz looks to be getting more opportunities in high leverage situations as he pitched the eighth inning Sunday. Munoz was called upon in a tie game Wednesday in the eighth inning but gave up the game-winning run and was charged with a loss.

Winning so many games in July might have been the worst thing to happen to the Giants as they’ve now lost seven of their last ten. The hot streak in July might have prevented them from selling closer Will Smith at the deadline. Smith recorded his 27th save of the season on Saturday in his lone appearance this week. Smith has been great this season with a 2.61 ERA and 13.03 K/9. With Sam Dyson and Mark Melancon gone, its Tony Watson who would be next in line for saves should Smith be unavailable.

Hopefully, you found Jorge’s Closer Rankings and Bullpen Depth Charts useful. For more of his take make sure to follow him on Twitter @Jmontanez.

Jorge Montanez is a lifelong sports fan but new to the fantasy industry, joining Fantrax HQ as a writer in June of 2019. Jorge co-hosts the Bases Loaded Podcast, a fantasy baseball podcast covering everything fantasy baseball on a weekly basis. He was raised in Stockton, CA but now resides in Los Angeles, where you can find him at a ballpark playing catch with his two sons on the weekends. Follow Jorge @jmontanez90 on Twitter where he’ll be happy to give his take and answer questions on all things fantasy.

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