Saves are saves, but these closers could be much more for fantasy teams in 2025.
Finding saves has never been more difficult, with MLB teams turning to committees more often these days. That makes the top closers more valuable than ever, but there are still some diamonds in the rough who can make a difference on your fantasy team, especially with their favorable draft day prices.
Mike Clevinger, Chicago White Sox
Well, it’s not what we anticipated, but it appears veteran starting pitcher Mike Clevinger will open the season as the White Sox closer. This comes only a month after he signed a minor league deal with the team, where he pitched briefly last season.
There’s an old adage in fantasy baseball that “saves are saves,” and that applies here. The historically bad 2024 White Sox had a league-low 21 saves, but did so on a more significant 58 opportunities last season. There are few options in the White Sox bullpen to truly combat the veteran Clevinger. Although the losses of Erick Fedde and Garrett Crochet from last year’s roster could limit the team’s late-inning closing opportunities even more than last season, Clevinger can be had basically for free with an ADP in the 600s over the last week.
Calvin Faucher, Miami Marlins
While Spring Training stats don’t matter much, one situation they’re worth watching is battles for roles like closer in Miami. Entering Spring Training, it appeared the battle was between Faucher and Jesus Tinoco, who both saw time in the role late last season after the Marlins traded A.J. Puk. Not only is Faucher getting the best of Tinoco this Spring, but the scorecard isn’t particularly close as Faucher has allowed three runs on eight baserunners with five strikeouts in six innings, while Tinoco has yet to find his control with five runs in 5.2 innings and five walks allowed.
While Tinoco pitched well as a closer in brief time last season, Faucher’s MLB track record is somewhat more significant (92 appearances to 80), and his Spring success should give him the leg up. Neither pitcher has been expensive during draft season (Faucher’s ADP of 330 vs. Tinoco’s ADP of 620), and the Marlins could be a sneaky good value for closer with formidable starters like Sandy Alcantara, Ryan Weathers, and Max Meyer having strong Springs.
Kyle Finnegan, Washington Nationals
The market is often late to adjust to late-signing players, and I believe that’s what we’re seeing with Finnegan. He’s not perfect, but Finnegan is a proven closer with a proven track record on the Nationals. He’s recorded 88 saves with the team since 2021, including 38 saves last season, sporting a 3.62 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over that time. The 33-year-old All-Star didn’t re-sign with his long-time team until late February, and at that time his ADP shot up.
In spite of the price increase, there’s evidence Finnegan’s ADP hasn’t increased enough. It sits at 207 over the last week, between relievers without surefire roles like Lucas Erceg and Justin Martinez. Finnegan is the clear go-to guy in the Nats bullpen as we enter the season, and continues to be a nice value.
Griffin Jax, Minnesota Twins
There might not be a more talented relief pitcher in baseball than Jax. The right-hander has been an absolute workhorse for the Twins over the last two seasons, accumulating 143 appearances, and he took his game to another level in 2024. Jax finished the season with a gaudy 6.33 K/BB ratio as a result of his 12.0 K/9 and sub-2.0 BB/9, adding velocity to his nasty repertoire. He also opened the season as Minnesota’s closer as a result of Jhoan Duran’s oblique injury, finishing the year with 10 saves.
There’s rightfully some trepidation in drafting Jax as he’s clearly behind Jax in the pecking order, but his ADP near 325 is a strong value. Not only has manager Rocco Baldelli shown a willingness to use Jax as a closer situationally, but Duran has yet to appear in 60 MLB games over his three seasons. As Jax inches toward 100 strikeouts, he can be a nice lineup filler when you don’t have great matchups, as well.
Ryan Walker, San Francisco Giants
The Giants opened Spring Training stating clearly that Walker is the team’s closer after what he showed late last season. While he was great in his 2023 rookie season, Walker took his game to another level last year with a 1.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 5.50 K/BB on top of his 10 wins. Most importantly, he proved that he could handle the closer job after Camilo Doval lost his feel in the second half.
Since Doval is still on the team, he remains a threat. However, he’s been far more erratic in his MLB career, including a career-worst 5.9 BB/9 last season. Manager Bob Melvin is opting for the pitcher who allows fewer baserunners, even if his fastball doesn’t hit triple-digits like Doval. It would be smart to back up Walker with Doval on your roster, but Walker showed the makings of an elite fantasy closer last season and still has a reasonable ADP near 95.
--Seth Trachtman
You can find fantasy baseball analysis in the 2025 Fantasy Baseball Index Draft Kit and Fantasy Baseball Index magazine.