Last week we profiled closers to avoid for 2016. While new closers are always able to be found on the waiver wire in-season, it's usually cheapest to plan ahead and stash soon-to-be closers at the draft, especially in AL- and NL-only leagues. Here's a list of several relievers who could have a chance to gain the closer role in-season.
Joaquin Benoit, Mariners
As mentioned last week, Steve Cishek will be handed the closer role by Seattle to start the season but isn't exactly a sure thing. Benoit is a good candidate, and that's no solely due to Cishek's shortcomings. Benoit is an experienced late-inning reliever with 37 saves over the last three seasons, and he entered spring training 2015 as San Diego's closer until they acquired Craig Kimbrel just before Opening Day. Even as Benoit enters his age 38 season, his peripherals remain closer-worthy; last season he garnered nearly one strikeout per inning, with a 2.34 ERA. His plus velocity also remained, averaging better than 94 mph on his fastball. He's certainly the next in command for saves in Seattle.
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Tyler Clippard, Diamondbacks
Arizona signed Clippard late in the offseason, and some immediately speculated that he would take over the closer role for Brad Ziegler. That didn't happen, but Clippard has likely overtaken Daniel Hudson as the second in command for saves due to his experience. Clippard has 53 saves since 2012, and he spent much of last season as Oakland's closer while Sean Doolittle was shelved. While Clippard has been erratic at times, he has a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the last three seasons. With Ziegler's strikeout rate continuing to falter, Clippard is a fine stash.
Jumbo Diaz, Reds
Diaz is arguably the best candidate for saves in Cincinnati, even as the Reds head into the year with J.J. Hoover manning the spot. While Diaz had a 4.18 ERA last season, he also had an impressive 10.4 K/9 and his velocity was among the best in baseball. He also has significant experience closing games in the minors, with 113 career saves. The investment in Hoover should almost require taking Diaz as a handcuff.
Trevor Gott, Nationals
Gott -- who was acquired for Yunel Escobar in the offseason -- has a chance to immediately become the Nats' setup man. Gott was very good in his rookie season, with a 3.02 ERA in 48 appearances and a plus groundball rate. Despite a lower than desirable strikeout rate last season, Gott showed much better strikeout numbers in the minors and has plus velocity. Given Jonathan Papelbon's already shaky chemistry with the organization, Gott is an interesting, cheap stash.
Ryan Madson, Athletics
The A's revamped their bullpen in the offseason, adding Madson, John Axford, and Liam Hendriks. Those three relievers will fit in well behind Sean Doolittle, who is returning from a shoulder injury. Oakland hopes Doolittle will remain healthy, but they've anointed Madson their primary setup man. Madson returned from a long hiatus last season from elbow problems, and was dominant in the KC pen with a 4.14 K/BB ratio and 2.13 ERA. He was Philadelphia's closer in 2011, proving he can handle the job if Doolittle's shoulder doesn't hold up.
Chris Withrow, Atlanta
Withrow could be a longshot for saves, but the situation isn't farfetched when we consider his talent and team. The hard-throwing right-hander has a clean bill of health following Tommy John surgery, and he was one of baseball's best strikeout pitchers before the injury with 11.4 K/9 in 56 career innings before his injury. He has the prototypical elite velocity of a closer, and could he could quickly ascend Atlanta's bullpen pecking. Of course, Arodys Vizcaino and Jason Grilli are well ahead of him, but Vizcaino has an injury history while Grilli is returning from a torn Achilles' and could be traded at any time as he approaches age 40 on a team in rebuilding mode.