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BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues
OWNED IN: 41% of Yahoo Leagues
ANALYSIS: The closer landscape remains a wild, crazy ride for fantasy baseball owners in 2017. After Jeanmar Gomez was yanked from the closer's role, veteran Joaquin Benoit nailed down the first save opportunity for the Phillies. It seemed that the new closer had been chosen, but that may not be the case anymore.
In tonight's game against the Mets, Benoit pitched in the 8th inning and Hector Neris was called upon to close out the game out in the 9th. Manager Pete Mackanin is saying that it's nice to have two guys that can close, but we're not buying it:
Mackanin basically said it's nice to have two guys that can close. No official naming of any one closer.
— Ryan Lawrence (@ryanlawrence21) April 21, 2017
At this point if we had to choose, then Neris seems like the guy going forward. This could be a situation where saves are split between Neris and Benoit - but Neris is the better, younger pitcher. Many fantasy analysts thought he would emerge at some point this season regardless, and the transition may be happening as we speak.
Coming into tonight, Neris had a shiny 9/1 K/BB ratio, with 0.00 ERA and 0.41 WHIP over 7 1/3 IP. In 2016, he had an elite 2.58 ERA and 1.11 WHIP to go along with a 102/30 K/BB ratio in 80 1/3 IP. Still only owned in 41% of Yahoo leagues, Neris should be added in all leagues that count saves. Go get him.
If you are a Benoit owner, hang onto him for now. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out over the next few days.
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