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Analysis

The Closer Landscape Entering the Offseason

We could be in for a wild ride with closer changes during the 2024-25 MLB offseason.

Closers are a necessary evil in fantasy baseball, with saves being based as much on luck and opportunity as skill. Here's a look at the closer landscape entering December.

Saves: the one category in rotisserie scoring that’s as much about opportunity as it is about skill. Yet, despite the unpredictability, it’s nearly impossible to win a league if you completely ignore them. As always, the closer situation in MLB remains murky, with some teams shifting to closer-by-committee approaches and others filled with flamethrowing candidates vying for the role.

As we move into December, here's an early look at the closer landscape for the 2025 season.

Safe and Secure Closers

Cleveland Guardians: Emmanuel Clase

The AL leader in saves for three straight years, Clase may have struggled in the postseason, but his regular season numbers remain elite. After posting an absurd 0.61 ERA and 0.66 WHIP in 2024, he remains one of the safest closer options in the game.

Houston Astros: Josh Hader

Hader’s ERA jumped to 3.80 after signing a five-year deal, but his place in the closer role is secure. He also reached 100 strikeouts for the first time since 2021, a testament to his continued dominance.

Seattle Mariners: Andres Muñoz

Muñoz dealt with injuries in 2024 but still managed 60 appearances and 22 saves. Despite some health concerns, backup Gregory Santos has an even shakier history, making Muñoz the clear option in Seattle’s bullpen.

Oakland Athletics: Mason Miller

The A’s have already committed to keeping Miller in the bullpen for another year. He was dominant in 2024, collecting 28 saves and striking out 104 batters. Aside from a self-inflicted hand injury, he stayed healthy and effective.

New York Mets: Edwin Díaz

After struggling early last season following knee surgery and a shoulder injury, Díaz bounced back with a 3.00 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and an impressive 15.7 K/9 rate. If he’s healthy in 2025, he’s a top-tier option.

Atlanta Braves: Raisel Iglesias

Entering the final year of his contract, Iglesias had a stellar 2024, posting a 1.95 ERA and 0.74 WHIP. With several key players returning from injury, the Braves are looking to return to elite form, and Iglesias should remain a core piece of their bullpen.

Minnesota Twins: Jhoan Duran

After a late-season oblique injury, Duran took over the closer role from Griffin Jax. His ERA rose to 3.64, but his FIP was lower than in 2023 (2.85), and he remains the go-to closer despite occasional matchups with Jax.

San Diego Padres: Robert Suárez

Suárez’s fastball velocity increased significantly in 2024, helping him post a 2.77 ERA with 36 saves. It’s hard to believe that his job was in doubt as recently as last year’s draft season.

Solid Options

Milwaukee Brewers: Devin Williams

Williams is undoubtedly the closer in Milwaukee, but with the low-budget Brewers possibly trading him before he hits free agency, his situation is somewhat tenuous. Even with a career 1.83 ERA, he’s not a 100% guarantee to remain a closer if he’s traded.

St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Helsley

Similar to Williams, Helsley has been an elite closer but could be traded in the near future. Over the last three seasons, he posted a 1.83 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, making him a reliable option wherever he pitches.

Baltimore Orioles: Félix Bautista

Bautista has been a force since joining the Orioles in 2022, but after missing the 2024 season due to elbow surgeries, there’s some uncertainty about his return. Assuming he’s ready for Spring Training, he could experience some bumps early on as he shakes off rust.

Kansas City Royals: Lucas Erceg

After Hunter Harvey went down with a back injury, Erceg took over as Kansas City’s closer and thrived. His stellar numbers in two months—11 saves, no home runs allowed, and a 10.33 K/BB ratio—make him the favorite heading into 2025.

San Francisco Giants: Ryan Walker

After Camilo Doval struggled with his control, Walker stepped up as the primary closer. He posted a 1.91 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over 80 innings, including excellent performance in save situations. With Doval no longer the clear favorite, Walker should remain in the role for now.

Pittsburgh Pirates: David Bednar

Bednar’s control wasn’t at its best after returning from an oblique injury, leading to a 5.77 ERA and a late-season loss of the closer job to Aroldis Chapman. However, his solid track record should earn him another chance, but his fantasy managers may need a backup plan if the Pirates add competition.

Cincinnati Reds: Alexis Díaz

Díaz was a steady option as Cincinnati’s closer in 2024, though his performance waned slightly, especially in the second half. His strikeout rate dropped, and his slider wasn’t as effective, so he’ll need to regain confidence early under new manager Terry Francona.

Washington Nationals: Kyle Finnegan

Despite being undervalued by some, Finnegan has been the Nationals’ steady closer for the past four seasons. With solid velocity and a strong splitter, he should retain the role in 2025, though an in-season trade remains a possibility.

Talented but Less Secure

Tampa Bay Rays: Pete Fairbanks

Fairbanks is the likely closer in Tampa Bay, but injuries are a concern. He ended his 2024 season early due to a lat injury and had a noticeable drop in velocity and strikeouts before the injury. Additionally, Fairbanks has never topped 45.1 innings in a season.

New York Yankees: Luke Weaver

Weaver showed promise as the Yankees’ closer down the stretch in 2024, but his overall track record is inconsistent. The Yankees have also been linked to the free-agent closer market, meaning Weaver’s role could still be in flux.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Justin Martinez

Martinez took over as Arizona’s primary closer in the second half of 2024, but the team’s acquisition of lefty A.J. Puk raises questions about the closer role moving forward. While Martinez's high strikeout/groundball combination is intriguing, his inexperience might not sit well with a team with high expectations.

Chicago Cubs: Porter Hodge

Hodge emerged as a late-season closer for the Cubs after Hector Neris faltered. He picked up nine saves but showed some control issues. With limited minor league success, his future as a reliable closer is uncertain.

Toronto Blue Jays: Jordan Romano

Romano underwent elbow surgery early last season and should be ready for 2025, but his health and the competition from Chad Green (who has closing experience) could muddy the closer picture. It’s still wise to draft Green as insurance.

Detroit Tigers: Jason Foley

Foley had stints as the primary closer in Detroit early and late, with A.J. Hinch employing a committee in between. Though Foley had nine saves in September, his subpar strikeout rate (just 20%) could make him vulnerable to competition.

Los Angeles Angels: Ben Joyce

With elite velocity and a newly developed sinker, Joyce had a strong 2024 season with a 59% groundball rate. However, he’s struggled with durability since being drafted in 2022 and is coming off a shoulder injury, making his long-term security uncertain.

No Clear Closer

Los Angeles Dodgers

Manager Dave Roberts embraced a closer-by-committee approach in 2024, especially after Evan Phillips struggled midseason. With Daniel Hudson retiring, injuries to Brusdar Graterol, and Blake Treinen’s free agency, Phillips and Michael Kopech are the primary options. Still, expect the Dodgers to bolster their bullpen in the offseason.

Philadelphia Phillies

Though the Phillies had an elite bullpen in 2024, uncertainty looms if they don’t re-sign free agents Carlos Estévez or Jeff Hoffman. José Alvarado has closing experience, while rookie Orion Kerkering could also be a future closer.

Boston Red Sox Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin are free agents, leaving the Red Sox with some question marks in the closer role. Liam Hendriks is the likely favorite as he returns from elbow surgery, but at age 36 and after missing nearly two full seasons, his durability could be a concern. Justin Slaten also impressed last season and might be in the mix.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers lost three key relievers (Kirby Yates, David Robertson, José Leclerc) to free agency, leaving Josh Sborz as a potential closer candidate. However, he’s recovering from a shoulder injury.

Miami Marlins

Following the trade of Tanner Scott at the deadline, the Marlins used Calvin Faucher and Jesús Tinoco in the closer role. Both pitched reasonably well, but the closer picture remains murky as both are relatively inexperienced.

Colorado Rockies Colorado’s closer situation was a mess in 2024. Justin Lawrence began the season as the closer but only converted two saves, with Tyler Kinley, Daniel Bard, and Seth Halvorsen also seeing opportunities. Speculating on this bullpen may not be worth the investment.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox had a historically bad team and bullpen in 2024, with no reliever finishing the season with more than two saves. While veteran Justin Anderson was the last to record a save, it’s anyone’s guess who will close for the team in 2025.

Free-Agent Closers Who Could Get a Chance

Tanner Scott: With 54 saves over the last three seasons, Scott has proven he can close games. Expect any team that signs him to push him into the closer role.

Carlos Estévez: Estévez took his game to another level in 2024, posting a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. He’s shown he can handle the closer role and should get another chance.

Kenley Jansen: With 440 career saves, Jansen is a future Hall of Famer. Despite declining velocity, he had a solid 2024 and could get a short-term deal with a contending team.

Kirby Yates: The 38-year-old posted a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves in 2024, making him a potential closer for a team looking for a one-year solution.

Clay Holmes: Holmes has converted 74 saves over the last three years, but his recent struggles with control could hinder his closing prospects.

Jeff Hoffman: Hoffman was at the head of the Phillies closer committee until they acquired Carlos Estevez at the deadline. It’s unclear if he will remain in the bullpen or get a starting opportunity this offseason, but his dominance (2.17 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) is worthy of closing duties.

Blake Treinen: After shoulder surgery, Treinen posted a 1.93 ERA in 2024 and could be a cost-effective option for a team looking for bullpen depth.

David Robertson: Robertson had a career-high 72 innings pitched in 2024, posting 99 strikeouts. Despite being 39, he could still close for a team in need of experience.

Aroldis Chapman: Chapman converted 14 saves for the Pirates in 2024, though his 39 walks in 61.2 innings raise red flags. However, with 335 career saves, he could still find a closing opportunity.

José Leclerc: A potential dark horse, Leclerc's stuff remains strong, though his inconsistency has held him back from maintaining the closer role.

Paul Sewald: A rough second half in 2024 followed an oblique injury, but Sewald’s experience (84 career saves) and ability to throw strikes still make him a candidate for a closer role.

Héctor Neris:Neris' control issues could limit his opportunities, but his strikeout rate remains strong. He may still get a chance to close elsewhere after filling the role with the Cubs.

Jorge López: López had an up-and-down 2024, but after being excellent with the Cubs, he remains a potential closer for a team willing to give him another chance.

Craig Kimbrel: Kimbrel is nearing the end of his career, but his 440 career saves could make him a viable option for a team looking for a veteran closer on a short-term deal.

--Seth Trachtman

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