Back on April 20, I looked into the early-season closer landscape, with focus on bullpens in peril or those likely to turn over as the season progresses. In hindsight, three weeks into April was pretty early for such speculation. But in recent years I’ve gone the bargain route in the draft when it comes to closers, which means sometimes they don’t work out and you’re surfing the waiver wire all alone, earlier than usual.
Well, nearly three months later I’m happy to have stashed a few names on that list: Joe Jimenez is currently Detroit’s ninth inning man while Shane Greene rehabs a shoulder injury; Jose Alvarado has tallied three saves for Tampa, where other bullpen pieces could soon be moving along; and Hector Rondon has emerged as the temporary stopper in Houston, though the Astros are likely to add to their pen sooner than later.
Still, in 15-team leagues it’s important to use your final roster spots on upside plays. I’m desperately churning through starters in @TGFBI now that a couple relief options have worked out. (At least my offense-heavy draft worked out for that half of my team.)
With the trade deadline looming, now is a good time to double check the relief landscape. If you’re desperate for saves in a competitive league, your bench spots over the next three weeks will be well spent on pitchers just a trade (or two) away from the closer’s chair.
Tampa Bay
The Rays are having a surprisingly solid season, sitting at three games above .500 heading into the weekend. But they’re 9.5 games out of a wild card spot and still likely sellers. What we found back in April still stands: If Alvarado is available, the big lefty is the stash here with a 2.58 ERA and three saves under his belt already.
New York Mets
Jeurys Familia isn’t the most reliable closer on the market, but the Mets are free-falling and he’s a usable piece for a contender. Next up is Robert Gsellman, who filled in when Familia hit the DL last month and grabbed three saves. Seth Lugo could be an outside-the-box candidate here, too. He’s been excellent in relief after mediocre results as a starter.
Chicago White Sox
Nate Jones is probably stashed on the DL in most leagues, but if he’s available he’s definitely worth an add now, having thrown off the mound this week for the first time since shutting things down a month ago with a muscle strain in his throwing arm. Jones was the co-closer early this year and has long been considered the next stopper on the southside. Joakim Soria has been excellent recently, which will likely earn him a spot on a good team for the stretch run. Jace Fry is another Sox name too watch — the lefty has held hitters to a .183 average with a 4.13 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 35 strikeouts over 28.1 innings.
Cincinnati
The Reds are reportedly asking a lot for dominant closer Raisel Iglesias, but there are teams interested in the multi-inning master who is under a great contract. Jared Hughes has already notched six saves for the Redlegs, but he could me moved, too. The longshot play here is Michael Lorenzen, the hard-throwing, home run-hitting righty with a 2.45 ERA on the season. Lorenzen has been more of a middle reliever/multi-inning guy, but he has the stuff and the temperament to close — that’s what he did at Cal State Fullerton when he wasn’t playing center field. David Hernandez could also be in the mix — he’s quietly thrown 31.2 innings of 1.99 ERA ball.
San Diego
Like Iglesias, Brad Hand has the numbers and contract to fetch a huge haul on the trade market. If he’s moved, righty Kirby Yates is the next man up. Yates has been dominant this season, sitting on a 1.51 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 45 Ks in 35.2 innings. Having already filled in for two saves, Yates has made himself a solid trade chip as well. If San Diego were to move both, Craig Stammen — 3.05 ERA, 46:9 K:BB — could be next in line.
Follow Danny @_dannycross_.
