MLB Closers and Saves Changes - Trade Deadline Candidates and Bullpen Report

Do you like pitching? Do you like calls to the bullpen? Do you like seeing a neat and tidy box score where every pitcher on a team throws exactly one inning? Then you probably loved the All-Star Game this week! It was a fun weekend filled with superstars and the replacements for superstars and the replacements for the replacements of the superstars in Los Angeles, but now it's time to get serious: The Trade Deadline is coming!

Since there isn't much meaningful baseball to cover since the last Closers and Saves Report, let's spend this week taking a look at the upcoming trade deadline. There will be plenty of trades for hitters and starting pitchers, but we don't talk about that here. Let's look at what relievers could potentially be on the move and how that will shake up bullpens across the league.

Be sure to also keep an eye on our RotoBaller Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves Bullpen Depth Charts. They're updated daily, or sometimes even more often in this wild 2022 baseball season. 

National League East - Bullpen and Closers News

New York Mets

The Mets had a very comfortable lead in the NL East earlier this season, but it's dwindled to just 2.5 games entering the second half. They're set at closer with the elite Edwin Diaz, who is having an incredible season, striking out more than half of the batters he faces (51.7%).

Adam Ottavino and Seth Lugo have been fine as setup men, but the Mets could look to add to the back of their bullpen to help move the game from their starters to Diaz.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves bullpen has been very good, surviving an IL stint from closer Kenley Jansen with almost no issues at all. Jansen has a strong hold on the closer's role, with lefties A.J. Minter and William Smith setting him up.

Kirby Yates is working his way back as well and would make this great bullpen even better. The Braves might trade for some middle relief help, but their top bullpen guys will likely remain the same.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies bullpen, as is tradition, has been a mess at times this season. Ever since Corey Knebel was removed from the 9th inning though, Seranthony Dominguez and Brad Hand have done well together in their committee roles to close out games.

Still, sitting in a crowd at the third Wild Card spot as we enter the second half, the Phillies are one of the main teams expected to trade for a closer. There are several options for them to choose from, but David Robertson seems to make sense here. Either way, it would be a surprise to see any of Knebel, Dominguez, or Hand closing games for the Phillies once August comes around.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins bullpen, thanks in part to manager Don Mattingly's absolute lack of common sense and strategy, has been mostly rough this season. They are 5.5 games out of the Wild Card, so on the very last fringe of competition as the second half begins. There's always a chance the team goes on a nice run and ends up buying at the deadline, but the much more likely scenario is that the Marlins will be sellers at the deadline.

Tanner Scott has done a decent job in the closer's role and will probably remain there, but guys like Anthony Bass, Dylan Floro, and Steven Okert could end up in different uniforms once August starts. None of the Marlins relievers, if traded, would end up closing for their new teams though.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals were enjoying a strong bounce-back season from Tanner Rainey and were likely hoping to trade him at the deadline before he got hurt. With Rainey possibly missing the rest of the season, Kyle Finnegan has moved into the closer's role and could attract some trade interest.

Finnegan hasn't been elite, but he's been solid and is under team control until 2025. Besides Finnegan, veterans like Steve Cishek and Carl Edwards Jr. could get some lower-tier trade interest, but much like the Marlins bullpen, none of the Nationals guys would end up closing on a new team either. 

National League Central - Bullpen and Closers News

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers enter the second half in first place, and their bullpen is set. Josh Hader (despite recent struggles) and Devin Williams will continue to form one of the strongest 8th-9th inning combos in baseball. Brad Boxberger will stick around to get the game to them.

Any team is capable of adding a random middle reliever for a random prospect at the deadline, but the Brewers are one of the teams least likely to make a significant bullpen trade this season.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals come into the second half just a half-game out of first place in the Central and in possession of one of the Wild Card spots. Ryan Helsley has been excellent and showed off his 103 mph heat in the All-Star Game.

The rest of the Cardinals bullpen though? Just OK at best. This is one of the bullpens that might look pretty different once the calendar says August on it, although they may stick with Helsley in the 9th and go after a new setup man or two to work with Giovanny Gallegos at getting the game from the starters to Helsley.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates have been better than expected this season, but they're still just 39-54 and 11 games out of a playoff spot. Still, that's good for third place in the NL Central as the second half gets underway! There have been some trade rumors swirling around Pirates' closer David Bednar, but he's under team control through 2026, so the team will be in no rush to trade him.

He's been very good though, so there's a chance a team approaches them with an offer they deem worth moving him for, in which case Yerry De Los Santos seems like the most likely candidate to see some 9th inning work in Pittsburgh. Bednar, if traded, figures to remain in a closer role for his new team. Based on the amount they would have to give up, no one's going to throw him into a setup role.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs bullpen will certainly look different once August begins. Closer David Robertson is a free agent at the end of the season and setup man Mychal Givens has a mutual option for 2023. Both are likely to be on new teams next month, with Robertson being an absolute certainty. Givens wouldn't close for a new team, but Robertson is likely to slide into a closer role wherever he goes.

There's a chance a team with an established closer lands Robertson and gives him a setup role, but it seems more likely that he'll go somewhere like Philadelphia or Minnesota and stick to the 9th inning. Rowan Wick is set to take over as soon as Robertson hangs up his Cubs jersey for the last time.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds bullpen has been an adventure so far this season. They're in the unenviable position of being a rebuilding team without much veteran relief talent. A lot of losing teams flip their older relievers for younger talent every deadline, but the only guy on the Reds even close to that is...Hunter Strickland?

Strickland could go somewhere, sure, but he wouldn't be anything better than middle relief on even a decent team. If he does go, Alexis Diaz could get an extended tryout to be next season's closer and perhaps the Reds' closer of the future.

National League West - Bullpen and Closers News

Los Angeles Dodgers

Surprise, surprise: the Dodgers will start the second half with the best record in the National League and a 10-game lead over the Padres in the NL West. There are very few holes on this Dodgers roster, and while closer Craig Kimbrel's results haven't always been great, he's actually pitching extremely well according to most metrics.

He's set for a very good second half and since the Dodgers front office is known for taking an analytical approach, they likely won't try to acquire a new closer. Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia have worked as the key setup men, and while they've been great, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Dodgers try to add to their bullpen and go for some higher profile guys to slot into the 7th or 8th innings.

San Diego Padres

The Padres are playing good baseball and having a pretty good season, and yet they still find themselves 10 games back of the juggernaut that is the Los Angeles Dodgers. Still, the Padres currently hold one of the Wild Card spots and will be looking to improve at the trade deadline. Taylor Rogers has hit a few speed bumps this year, but his job as closer shouldn't be in much danger.

Where San Diego could look quite different in August is in their setup roles. Luis Garcia and Nabil Crismatt have been solid, but with established high-leverage relievers becoming available as the trade deadline approaches, we could see multiple relief pitchers booking flights to San Diego soon.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants have been treading water this season, waiting to recapture the magic they found in 2021. They're still a solid club and currently only a half-game out of a playoff spot though, so they should be looking to add to their roster at the trade deadline. The Giants bullpen has been solid, with Camilo Doval, Dominic Leone, and John Brebbia all providing strong innings of relief.

They could look to add to their bullpen with stronger middle relief and high-leverage guys, or they could try for a veteran closer like David Robertson, although that seems less likely. Manager Gabe Kapler likes the more versatile types, so look for the Giants to try to acquire guys like that as the deadline nears.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies might not be mathematically out of it yet, as they are 6.5 games out of a playoff spot, but they might as well be. They will almost certainly be sellers at the deadline, and closer Daniel Bard is one of the guys sure to go. He's a free agent at the end of the season, so he'll make a solid rental for a contending team.

Bard is having a great season, posting a 2.02 ERA and 20 saves in 22 chances. He's one of the guys whose role going forward will depend on the team he gets traded to. He could make his way to a team like the Twins or the Phillies and end up solidly entrenched in the 9th inning, or he could go to a team with a more established closer and work as a strong setup man in the 8th for his new team. Bard's fantasy value will either rise or drop sharply, depending on his new uniform.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks bullpen could look pretty different once August rolls around, but there's also a chance that it really doesn't. A rarity for a team in last place and 21 games out of first, Arizona doesn't have any key relievers on expiring contracts. Veterans Mark Melancon, Ian Kennedy, and Joe Mantiply are all signed or under team control through at least 2023. Still, that doesn't mean they will stick in the desert.

With teams likely calling about all three, it seems likely that the Diamondbacks will be one of the more active teams leading up to the trade deadline. There are too many possible outcomes to try to predict what this bullpen will look like for the rest of the year, but it seems like a safe bet that none of the Arizona pitchers would close for their new teams if they got traded.

American League East - Bullpen and Closers News

New York Yankees

The Yankees have the best record in baseball and the best run differential as well. They're the best team in baseball right now, and only the Dodgers are close. That being said, the Yankees bullpen has had some issues this season.

They're seemingly set at the back end with Clay Holmes in the closer role, but they will almost certainly look for help in the earlier innings. Michael King has been one of the key setup guys lately, but he's better suited in a multi-inning role that he'll be able to go back to if the Yankees pick up a new 8th-inning guy.

UPDATE: Michael King was injured on Friday night, and has been diagnosed with a broken elbow. He will miss the remainder of the season.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays come into the second half 13 games back of the Yankees but in one of the Wild Card spots. Always one of the most active and creative teams at the trade deadline, the Rays are almost certain to pick up a reliever or two while they still can, but that will only add to their committee approach at the end of the game.

It would be a huge shock to see them acquire an actual closer like Robertson or Bard, but they could add guys like Bass or Melancon to pitch high-leverage innings without the title of closer.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays sit in third place in the AL East as we start the second half, but they're in a Wild Card spot and just fired their manager before the first half ended. Jordan Romano is having another solid season and should remain as closer, with Adam Cimber keeping his high-leverage role as well.

Beyond those two though, the Toronto bullpen could look a little different once August begins. They are certainly a team to watch when thinking about clubs looking to acquire setup men to add to their late-inning choices.

Boston Red Sox

The bullpen that inspired the Elmo fire gif for most of the first half seemed to settle in somewhat as the season neared the All-Star break. Still, at 48-45 and 2 games out of a Wild Card spot, the Red Sox will need to do some work at the deadline if they want to stick around with their AL East foes.

Tanner Houck, John Schreiber, and Garrett Whitlock are all solid relievers, but a team planning on contending probably has them in more middle relief and set-up roles than in their highest leverage ones. Look for the Red Sox to possibly acquire one of the more bona fide closers available at the trade deadline.

Baltimore Orioles

All season long, the Orioles were looked at as a team that was definitely going to sell at the deadline, with closer Jorge Lopez being one of their key pieces to trade. All of a sudden though, the Orioles are on fire and enter the second half just 3.5 games out of a playoff spot. The next week or so will be huge for Baltimore, as it will likely determine what direction they go in at the deadline.

If they keep playing well and maybe pick up another game or two in the standings, we could see the Orioles as deadline buyers for the first time in a while. If they struggle and drop back a bit though, they could sell. If they do sell, Lopez would be a huge piece that every contending team will have at least some interest in. If Lopez does get dealt, Felix Bautista would likely take over the 9th inning in Baltimore.

American League Central - Bullpen and Closers News

Minnesota Twins

The Twins start the second half in first place, but with just a two-game lead over the Guardians and three over the White Sox. The AL Central should be one of the more competitive divisions, at least among the top three teams, in the second half. The Twins have a guy who would be an excellent closer in Jhoan Duran, but they seem to prefer to keep him in a different role, so they're one of the teams most likely to go after a closer.

Guys like David Robertson, Daniel Bard, or Jorge Lopez if he becomes available make a lot of sense for the Twins. They could also add to their setup and middle relief group, but the biggest fantasy impact will be figuring out who pitches the 9th for Minnesota in August and September.

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians are only two games above .500 but also only two games out of a playoff spot. They are more than set at closer with All-Star Emmanuel Clase, but they could use some help getting the game to him.

Setup guys Eli Morgan and Trevor Stephan have been solid when called upon, but it's easy to see Cleveland trying to acquire an experienced late-inning reliever before the deadline. Clase will keep the 9th, without question, but the 7th and 8th innings could look different in Cleveland pretty soon.

Chicago White Sox

Despite Tony LaRussa, the White Sox sit just three games out of a playoff spot as the second half starts. Granted, they are just a .500 team at 46-46, but they have the talent to go on a tear and pile up wins very quickly. Their bullpen seems mostly set, with Liam Hendriks in the 9th and Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly ahead of him. The White Sox are one of the few contending teams where the bullpen could look pretty similar before and after the deadline.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers had an exciting offseason and have had some exciting moments during the season, but ultimately they are 37-55 and head into the second half a dozen games out of a playoff spot. They'll be sellers again at the deadline and could move on from at least two relievers. Gregory Soto may not be the most sought-after Soto this deadline, but he's been solid in the closer's role and could make another team's bullpen better.

The same is true for Michael Fulmer. If the two are dealt, which they likely will be, Alex Lange would probably be the guy in Detroit for their 9th innings going forward. Soto could realistically close for his new team, but he's much more likely to slide into a setup role for a team with an established closer. Fulmer, meanwhile, could move down to more of a 6th inning/middle relief role in a strong bullpen.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals find themselves in last place in the AL Central with the second-worst record in the American League. They do have some interesting trade pieces though and should be active at the deadline. Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont have both been strong out of the KC bullpen, and both could find themselves coming out of different bullpens in August.

Barlow seems more likely to be traded than Staumont, but both relievers moving wouldn't be much of a surprise. If Barlow is moved on his own, Staumont would become the guy in Kansas City. If they both have new teams, then closing duties could land with Dylan Coleman.

American League West - Bullpen and Closers News

Houston Astros

The Astros once again find themselves in first place with a comfortable lead in the AL West. Even with the Mariners currently riding a 14-game winning streak, Houston still has a 9-game lead in the standings.

Their bullpen has been one of many strong points, with Ryan Pressly, Rafael Montero, Hector Neris, and Ryne Stanek all doing mostly excellent work. The Astros could look to add to their middle relief corps, but the high-leverage innings will probably look the same as they have so far this season.

Seattle Mariners

A 14-game winning streak to end the first half is certainly one of the best-case scenarios for any baseball team! The Mariners are still 9 back from the Astros in the AL West, but those 14 wins have propelled them to a Wild Card position and certainly into the world of buyers at the trade deadline. Seattle spent most of the season with a closer by committee approach, but Paul Sewald excelled and claimed the job for himself.

He's more than shown that he's good enough to hang onto the 9th inning, but we'll see if the Mariners decide to add someone with more high-leverage experience to take his place. Even if they don't add a new closer, we're likely to see at least one new high-leverage arm join the Mariners bullpen at the deadline, joining Diego Castillo and Andres Munoz.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers have some solid building blocks and should be contenders in the AL West soon, just not this year. Entering the second half at 41-49 and 7.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, they'll certainly be selling some pieces at the deadline. Joe Barlow was recently demoted and Brett Martin has taken over as closer, leading to some rumors that they are trying to build his value before the deadline.

Barlow seems to be in their plans as closer going forward, with the demotion truly meant to be temporary. Just how temporary it is could depend on the offers they get for a guy like Martin. It's hard to see just what the Rangers will sell at the deadline, but this should be an interesting bullpen to figure out come August 2nd.

Los Angeles Angels

Another year of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, another year of the Angels somehow being out of contention before the trade deadline even passes. They're 39-53, 20.5 games back in their division and 10.5 back in the Wild Card. Seems like Joe Maddon may not have been the issue here. Raisel Iglesias remains one of the better closers in baseball, both fantasy and real life, even if he's not getting as many leads to save.

He's signed through 2025 but the Angels perhaps could be convinced to move on from him if the right offer came their way. Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup could also draw interest from teams looking to improve their setup roles, but the Angels will likely decide on what to do with the rest of their bullpen guys after they decide on what to do with Iglesias. If he is traded, Iglesias would presumably pick up where he left off, closing games for his new team.

Oakland Athletics

The A's are bad again, owners of the worst record in the American League and only one win better than the Nationals in the chase for the worst team in baseball. Closer Lou Trivino has some rough numbers at first glance, but he's been hit by really bad luck and underlying metrics actually show that he could have quite an effective second half. Because of those bad actual results though, Trivino can likely be acquired for much less than most of the other high-leverage arms on the trade block.

Trivino almost certainly won't close on a new team, but he could step in and provide solid setup innings for whatever team looks past his results and looks into his metrics. In his place, Zach Jackson seems most likely to close in Oakland, although he could be paired up with A.J. Puk in a committee. Trivino is a solid buy (very) low in holds leagues.

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