Closing Time 8/2: Ranking the Top 30 Closers Every Tuesday

Ranking baseball's closers for the 2022 season.

Happy Deadline Day everyone! I’ll be updating this post today as trades happen that impact the RP landscape.

 

Notes

 

  • Josh Hader moving to San Diego was the shocking closer deal of the deadline, as Hader and Taylor Rogers swap teams with the Brewers getting other pieces as well. This definitely hurts for those of you who spent FAAB on Luis García this past weekend, as Hader will undoubtedly be the Padres’ closer moving forward. Nothing much changes from Hader’s perspective, but it does shake things up in Milwaukee…
  • Devin Williams should finally get a chance at being the full-time closer in Milwaukee, where he instantly becomes a top 2-3 closer option the rest of the way. It’s not inconceivable that Taylor Rogers remains in the mix to close out games, as the Brewers do have a way of “fixing” pitchers (especially when it comes to relievers), but I’d imagine he’ll work in a setup role for the time being.

 

  • Jorge López is on the move to Minnesota where his value should remain the same as he is likely to take over as the team’s closer there. This is obviously a blow to Jhoan Duran’s value as he likely won’t see many save chances the rest of the way (not that he was currently anyway) and is now outside of the must roster territory in most standard, save-only leagues.
  • Félix Bautista should be in line to receive the bulk of the Orioles’ save chances moving forward now, and becomes a must-add in almost all formats. It’s still early in the day, but he’s likely to be the most impactful closer available in most of your leagues right now and is worth a good chunk of FAAB.

 

  • David Robertson has been dealt to the Phillies where fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief as he should remain in a closing role there. For those of you who had been hoping for Seranthony Domínguez to run away with the job there (like myself), it’s a bit disappointing, but he should remain in a set up role for those of you in holds leagues. (EDIT: Rob Thompson declined to announce Robertson as the new closer, stating it would still be a committee approach)
  • In Chicago, look for Rowan Wick to close out games for the remainder of the season (unless Mychal Givens stays put). If you want to speculate on someone a little bit further down the depth chart, maybe someone like Erich Uelman gets a shot eventually or even Adbert Alzolay once he is ready to return in September.

 

  • At the buzzer, the Angels sent closer Raisel Iglesias to the Braves where he will presumably become the top setup option behind current closer Kenley Jansen. It’s certainly a tough blow for those rostering Iglesias as it looked like he was safe up to the last second.
  • As far as who the LA will turn to in the ninth inning, I’m leaning towards Ryan Tepera taking over in the ninth just due to his contract, handedness, and seniority factors. Aaron Loup could also factor in (but is lefthanded) as could Jimmy Herget.

 

Rank Pitcher Change
1Edwin DíazT1-
2Josh Hader
T2
-
3Devin Williams+UR
4Liam Hendriks-1
5Emmanuel Clase-1
6Clay Holmes
T3
-1
7Ryan Pressly-
8Jordan Romano-
9Kenley Jansen+2
10Ryan Helsley-
11Paul Sewald+1
12Félix Bautista+UR
13Jorge López+3
14Daniel Bard+7
15Gregory Soto+3
16Craig Kimbrel
T4
-2
17Camilo Doval-2
18Scott Barlow-1
19Tanner Scott+3
20David Robertson-
21Garrett Whitlock
T5
-2
22Pete Fairbanks+UR
23Alexis Díaz+2
24Wil Crowe+UR
25A.J. Puk+UR
26Jonathan Hernández+UR
27Kyle Finnegan
T6
-
28Rowan Wick+UR
29José Quijada+UR
30Mark Melancon-

 

Watch List

 

Photo Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)

Rick Graham

Rick resides in the Boston area and has experience as a player and coach at the collegiate level. He has been covering relievers for Pitcher List since 2017.

4 responses to “Closing Time 8/2: Ranking the Top 30 Closers Every Tuesday”

  1. Scott says:

    Where is Robertson?

  2. theKraken says:

    lol nobody becomes top 2 or 3 in a day. Being a setup guy is like being a placekicker in football. Its as easy a job as there is and he doesn’t have the credentials to be top 2 or 3.

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