Fantasy Baseball Closer Report (July 26): How Will MLB Trade Deadline Affect Bullpens?

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report (July 26): How Will MLB Trade Deadline Affect Bullpens? article feature image
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Norm Hall/Getty Images. Pictured: Craig Kimbrel.

There is one position that could get flipped on its head by July 30's trade deadline: closers. I am here to help you get as locked in as possible with moves being made.

Locked In 

Matt Barnes – Boston Red Sox

Liam Hendriks – Chicago White Sox

Gregory Soto – Detroit Tigers

Detroit’s bullpen as a whole has been stellar the past week-plus, with Soto garnering majority of the save opportunities.

Ryan Pressly – Houston Astros

Raisel Iglesias – Anaheim Angels

Lou Trivino – Oakland Athletics

Kendall Graveman – Seattle Mariners

Diego Castillo – Tampa Bay Rays

Ian Kennedy – Texas Rangers

Jordan Romano – Toronto Blue Jays

Joakim Soria – Arizona Diamondbacks

Soria is one of the closers set for ‘Hug Watch’ over the next five days.

Will Smith – Atlanta Braves

Heath Hembree – Cincinnati Reds

The journeyman has seven saves in July. Stability in Cincy? Stay tuned…

Craig Kimbrel – Chicago Cubs

Rumors have swirled around Kimbrel. It will be interesting to see if he gets traded by himself or in a package with another Cub to bring back a better return.

Daniel Bard – Colorado Rockies

Bard may be the most gettable closer, and most volatile, on the trade market.

Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Dodgers

Since July 18, Jansen has allowed eight earned runs and four walks in four innings. That equates to three blown saves to one earned.

Yimi Garcia – Miami Marlins

Josh Hader – Milwaukee Brewers

Edwin Diaz – New York Mets

Aroldis Chapman – New York Yankees

Chapman only has two saves in seven July appearances and has only allowed one run since July 4.

Ranger Suarez – Philadelphia Phillies

Richard Rodriguez – Pittsburgh Pirates

Rodriguez falls into the second tier of closers that could be traded, but may have the best return on investment considering how consistent he is with few save opportunities.

Mark Melancon – San Diego Padres

Jake McGee – San Francisco Giants

Alex Reyes – St. Louis Cardinals

Brad Hand – Washington Nationals

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Closer Committees 

Cole Sulser, Dillon Tate, and Tanner Scott – Baltimore Orioles

Strong rumors around Paul Fry getting moved before the deadline, or else he would be in here ahead of Scott.

James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Indians

Scott Barlow and Greg Holland – Kansas City Royals

Taylor Rogers and Hansel Robles – Minnesota Twins

It is realistic the Twins move both in a fire sale. This closer situation could get much worse.

Injury Opportunities 

None. You love to see it.

Next Man Up Adds 

Tanner Scott (BAL)

Michael Kopech (CHW) 

Kyle Funkhouser (DET)

Jose Cisneros (DET)

Yusmeiro Petit (OAK)

Paul Sewald (SEA)

Sewald is an immediate add with the Mariners not likely to add at the deadline to change what appears to be a promising nucleus.

Spencer Patton (TEX)

Noe Ramirez (ARI)

Investing in future Diamondbacks closers is risky, but saves are saves.

Andrew Chafin (CHC)

Ryan Tepera (CHC)

Rowan Wick (CHC)

It is realistic the Cubs trade Kimbrel, Chafin, and Tepera by July 30. 

Carlos Estevez (COL)

Mychal Givens (COL)

Anthony Bender (MIA)

David Bednar (PIT)

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