With another season almost in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look towards the future. This year, I’m providing a tiered look at relievers for those in redraft leagues. Much of this exercise will change based on player movement this offseason, but it’s intriguing and necessary.
These are not set in stone. Enjoy!
Tier 1 — The Elite Eight
- Emmanuel Clase (CLE): It’s tough arguing against three consecutive 40-plus save seasons with a WHIP below 1.00 over the past three years.
- Devin Williams (MIL): Returned from his back injury with a strong second half. He displayed no signs of rust or velocity issues. The biggest question is whether the Brewers extend or trade him ahead of him being a free agent at the end of 2025.
- Edwin Díaz (NYM): A slow start, a sticky stuff suspension, and a rediscovery of his four-seam fastball summarizes a tumultuous season for the Mets closer. Being a year further removed from his knee surgery, he should be in line for a strong season.
- Félix Bautista (BAL): There have already been videos of “The Mountain” throwing bullpen sessions with eyes on his return in 2025. He not only stabilizes Baltimore’s bullpen, but he will also try replicating his dominant campaign from 2023.
- Mason Miller (OAK): Remember when the thought of him being the closer was crazy? His 2025 may align more closely with his second-half results than his first two months, but it’s still Top 5 worthy for a rising team.
- Josh Hader (HOU): His strikeout total rose with multiple-inning outings after signing his five-year deal with the Astros. There will be ups and downs, especially when he’s giving up home runs in bunches. However, he’s closing games for a stable franchise and remains a bankable asset for fantasy purposes.
- Ryan Helsley (STL): This season, he remained healthy with a predictable workload. He only logged two multi-inning appearances while converting 47 of 51 save opportunities (through September 25).
- Raisel Iglesias (ATL): Although he’s not sexy, the veteran closer continues producing saves with a WHIP below 1.00 since the start of 2022.
Tier 2 — Upside with question marks
- Ryan Walker (SF): Here’s our first big question: what will his role be in 2025? He took over for Camilo Doval and did not cede the ninth inning, converting all 10 save chances from August 10 to September 23, with 28 strikeouts against four walks across 18.2 innings.
- Robert Suarez (SD): His second-half results will be scrutinized, and rightfully so. However, whichever pitch he mixes in more should benefit him in 2025 and build up his stamina after completing an entire season.
- Andrés Muñoz (SEA): What will his role be in 2025, and can he be the dominant reliever we hoped for this season, one year later?
- Lucas Erceg (KC): After his acquisition, he converted nine of 11 save chances (through September 24) with 29 strikeouts against three walks. Hunter Harvey and James McArthur were shut down at the end of the season, putting Erceg as the projected preferred save option in 2025.
- Kyle Finnegan (WSH): He set a career high in saves in 2024 but was rumored to be on the trade block without being moved. He will be a free agent at the end of 2025, which means he may be moved by midseason, making him riskier in best ball or draft-and-hold leagues.
Tier 3 — To buy or not to buy, that is the question
- Jhoan Durán (MIN): Will the real “Durantula” please stand up? He was dominant in the 2023 playoffs but struggled with injury issues and velocity early this year. His fantasy price point for 2025 will be fascinating. He could be a steal or a bust, but the talent should not be ignored. If he cannot regain past form, Griffin Jax has proven capable of filling in when needed.
- Luke Weaver (NYY): His team-friendly option will be picked up, and he could be the Yankees’ closer in 2025. Adapting his arsenal fueled his success as a high-leverage reliever, and he’s better than many perceive him to be.
- Pete Fairbanks (TB): A bankable fantasy asset when he’s healthy. However, the red flags are moving toward a tipping point as he enters his Age-31 season. Invest in 45 innings and 23-to-25 saves — anything higher is gravy. But there’s an inherent risk in this portfolio.
- Ben Joyce (LAA): Adding a “splinker” spurred his breakout season, which was cut short by injury, but his arrow points up heading into 2025. Durability remains a concern, and the strikeout ceiling may not be as high as fantasy managers hope, but he could be a second closer with first closer upside. However, his team concept may depress his save totals next year.
- Porter Hodge (CHC): He’s another solid reliever who may be better suited as an eighth-inning option but filled in capably as the closer down the stretch. He needs an improved walk rate, but he’s cool under pressure and may begin 2025 as the team’s closer.
- Alexis Díaz (CIN): Like Durán (above), it’s a make-or-break season for Díaz. His K-BB percentage and WHIP have been trending in the wrong direction since the second half of 2023. Can he reclaim his past production levels, or is this as good as it gets?
Tier 4 — Location, role determine the upside for these free agents
- Tanner Scott (FA): Rumors about his middle name being “volatile” remain unfounded, but the southpaw has recorded 14 wins and 32 saves from the second half of 2023 through September 23 this year. Like all the relievers in this tier, his stock goes up or down based on where he signs and his role in the upcoming season.
- Carlos Estévez (FA): Overcame his rough finish in 2023 with a bounce-back campaign, though his results decreased after the All-Star break in the past two seasons. Still, he’s recorded 36 saves with a 1.18 WHIP over his past 81.1 innings.
- Kirby Yates (FA): Will 2024 be an outlier or a strong finish at the tail end of his career? Every closer has a shelf life, and he may be a perfect one-to-two-year discounted closer option for a contender as he enters his Age-38 season.
- Jeff Hoffman (FA): He’s been a pivotal cog in the Phillies’ “floating closer” concept, producing a 1.89 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 10 saves over his past 95.1 innings.
- Kenley Jansen (FA): Can a reliever relying primarily on a cutter ride off into the sunset with another 30-save season? He’s on record saying he will not operate in a save timeshare, but will a team in the market for a closer give him the keys to their bullpen hierarchy? Detroit could be a perfect fit.
- Aroldis Chapman (FA): Rebounded during his one-year deal with the Pirates and finished as their closer. Could a return be in store? If yes, what will his role be? And, can fantasy managers trust him moving forward?
Tier 5 — Some potential spring battles and relievers of interest
- A.J. Puk vs. Justin Martinez (ARI): It’s the classic current Mr. Right versus the eventual Mr. Right. After emerging as the preferred save share, Martinez only recorded one save in September (through September 25). Meanwhile, Puk has racked up a 41.7 K-BB percentage in the second half with 48 strikeouts versus five walks, and a minuscule 0.59 WHIP through 29 innings.
- Michael Kopech vs. Evan Phillips (LAD): Kopech has been in the mix for saves, but not deployed as the closer in a traditional sense since his acquisition. Phillips struggled throughout the year but was one of the most reliable fantasy assets in the previous two seasons. Will 2025 be the year the Dodgers target Clase?
- Orion Kerkering (PHI): If Estévez and Hoffman leave for greener pastures, especially after a deep run in the playoffs, the closer of the future may emerge as the team’s preferred option in the upcoming season.
- David Bednar (PIT): How his team handles the roster will play a large role in his fantasy impact in 2025. Two oblique injuries hampered his results, but one cannot ignore the inflated WHIP or the fact that his second pitches lacked effectiveness this season.
- Camilo Doval (SF): It’s possible “Tranquilo” needs a change of scenery. Despite losing the closer role, he had 23 saves through September 24, but only one since August 7. Finding an effective mix with his arsenal and better command remain keys to future success. It’s too early to give up on him, but he may have worn out his stay by the Bay.
- Jordan Romano (TOR): His price point will depend on his health and how he pitches this coming spring. Many will be scared off, which could create “buy low” vibes, or a sentiment to avoid him at all costs. Tread lightly and back him up with Chad Green if possible.
- Liam Hendriks vs. Justin Slaten (BOS): Although he tried to return in September, Hendriks was shut down after his last outing at Triple-A with forearm soreness not associated with his Tommy John procedure, per the Red Sox. How this plays out will determine if he’s closing games next season. In case there are more setbacks, Slaten could be in the mix for save chances, making him an intriguing stash candidate.
Teams who are not represented in our tiers
- Chicago White Sox: Not surprisingly, Saves were scarce for the team with the most losses in MLB history. Justin Anderson finished as the de facto closer, but there’s time for a Prelander Berroa resurgence. Lets see how things play out this upcoming spring.
- Colorado Rockies: The closer role changed hands multiple times, with Tyler Kinley emerging in the second half before being shut down near the end of the season. Kinley, Seth Halvorsen, and Victor Vodnik may be competing for the role this spring.
- Detroit Tigers: Used Jason Foley and Tyler Holton with a side of Beau Brieske over the final month of the season while pursuing a playoff spot.
- Miami Marlins: Filled the gaps for saves, after trading Tanner Scott, with Calvin Faucher and Jesús Tinoco. If the team rebuilds, it’s doubtful they add a top-tier free agent closer, but a trade for Doval would make sense. Stay tuned.
- Texas Rangers: There are many questions about the 2025 roster, especially if the team loses Yates and Leclerc via free agency and David Robertson opts out. Although Emiliano Teodo pitched as a starter, he could become the closer if the team needs a high-octane arm at the backend of the bullpen.
Dynasty or Keeper League Relievers of Interest
American League
National League
Thanks for another great season at The Athletic. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits (through September 23): Fangraphs.com; Baseball-Reference.com; BaseballSavant.com; BrooksBaseball.net
For daily coverage of bullpens, check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey
(Top photo of Emmanuel Clase: Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
