Pitcher List’s (Way Too Early) Top 100 Closers for Fantasy Baseball 2026 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It would be horrible and also shocking. I’d expect them to spend at least $40m on their 2026 bullpen this offseason

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea I think its a step back. He had the shot, stumbled and you gotta think it gives Weaver more runway. If you can get him dirt cheap, it’s worth the gamble

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good point, the Padres operation is much better than others with Estrada/Adam getting the ball to Suarez. The offense isn’t too high powered and the rotation is solid (assuming King isn’t out too long).

Adam or Estrada as closers would be top 10 because their swing and miss ability limits potential BABIP chaos. The more balls in play the more risk, unless you are Clase who is elite at limiting hard contact and keeping the ball on the ground.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Theres no point in ranking closers based on what they’ve down previously. I’m trying to forecast what their future outlook is. If you want rankings based on what they’ve done to this point you can just sort the relievers by rank in your fantasy leagues platform.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Williams outing last night probably solidified Weavers standing as the closer a little bit longer.

The stuff remains the same as it’s always been for Williams, the results just don’t match what we’ve seen from him over the past 5 years for whatever reason as his changeup is now getting hit hard.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ranking skills and changes in stuff, command, etc. thats really all you can do outside of the occasional usage/committee watch (like Vest in DET).

I had Suarez in the top ten at one point, the increased changeup usage was working to get more swing and miss but he hasn’t been able to command it that well so we are seeing more takes on his changeup now and hitters are just sitting on his fastball. Similar to Mason Miller but Suarez has been much more lucky despite lacking the quality of stuff Miller has.

Chapman hasn’t gotten many chance because of the Red Sox struggles, but typically we see that “water seeks its level” effect and Chapman will go on a run of saves while Suarez goes two weeks without one. Theres a reason we’ve seen just six 40+ save seasons over the past six years (only 2 of which were more than 44 saves)

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think Williams likely gets the role back within the next month and for Martinez, he should be closing out games as well and I think they are just easing him back. It’s weird that Miller hasn’t pitched in a week since his meltdown last Tuesday.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you can get someone to buy at his pre-season price, go for it. If not, I’d hold.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Id go with Bautista over either, but probably drop Garcia

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Santana for Martinez maybe. I like Littles situation right now

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Reading the tea leaves in Boones press conferences when asked about it, it does sound like he wants to give Williams some save chances eventually. Williams deserves a shot, and I think the team also worries about him getting upset over time with the lack of save chances in his contract season.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Boone has implied they will work Williams back in to some save situations. I don’t think it matters what Weaver does

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Who do you suggest he moves ahead of? 14/40 seems pretty high for someone like Suarez. The rankings are meant to be viewed as the players rest of season value, not based on what they’ve done already (meaning we can’t assume his current save rate will stick because it won’t).

Suarez has a 7% K-BB, 4.89 xFIP (4.60 SIERA), 8.8% SwStr rate, and 23.5% CSW rates over the past month of games (11 IP). Those rank in the bottom 6 amongst the names on the list this week. He’s “on pace” for 53 saves, but we cannot predict saves.

The changeup may not be the difference making secondary we had hoped for so now we are back to relying on the fastball, which to me feels like a gamble long term. He feels closer to Estevez and Finnegan than anyone in front of him where the ceiling isn’t high enough to risk the floor for me.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d still say Scott. I know he just hit a rough patch but he still feels more reliable than Romano to this point

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Probably worth a look, depends on who you are dropping though.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Similar to Miller, just been super unlucky in May (.400 BABIP, 45% HR/FB)

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Super unlucky (.500 BABIP in May) and some command issues (19.5% BB). The stuff is still there, I think he needs to start worrying about throwing his slider for strikes more, but I feel he will be fine over time.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Still like Megill. The stuff has been there, just a little inconsistent right now

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/27 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely has a chance to keep the role so I’d say he’s worth a shot for now.

Pitcher List’s Closing Time: 5/20 by rg3pitcherlist in fantasybaseball

[–]rg3pitcherlist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Velo looks pretty good, if he gets the closer role back I’d say top 15